Jacksonville Jaguars Forecast
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Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
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(28) Mercedes Lewis, TE. UCLA
(60) Abdul Hodge, LB. Iowa
(92) Brian Calhoun, RB. Wisconsin
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The Jacksonville Jaguars are in decent shape on both sides of the ball. The offense is young and improving. The defense is suffocating at times. Most intense Jaguar fans know that the loss of Akin Adoyele to free agency is something to toast to and not mourn over. Nevertheless, without a viable option to fill Adoyele's small shoes, an NFL-ready linebacker would greatly improve a defenseive unit that is already very above average. On the offensive side of the ball, Vince Manuwai and Chris Naole have been disappointing at the guard spots. Someone to even put pressure on their starting jobs would be helpful. Plus, depth at running back is always desired when Fred Taylor is your starter. Grabbing some emerging value late in the draft would make a lot of sense. A true tight end could add the final piece to the passing game as well.
(28) Mercedes Lewis, TE. UCLA
Mercedes Lewis is an excellent value choice at #28. The Jaguars would like to add a pass-catching tight end to compliment Jimmy Smith and Matt Jones. Lewis would be that guy. He is a monster in the passing game. His 6'6"/261 size is excellent. Lewis has outstanding hands and is even an excellent blocker. He lacks elite speed (4.84), but he plays faster than he times and simply has all the pass catching skills of an elite tight end prospect. Trying to find value, Lewis would fit the bill. When you consider the team needs as well, Mercedes Lewis is an excellent fit for the Jaguars. He is simply too good of a fit to pass up.
(60) Abdul Hodge, LB. Iowa
Having lost Akin Ayodele to free agency, the Jaguars have a hole in their linebacking corp. While the team is admittedly not missing Ayodele at the moment, a replacement is necessary to be found through the draft either in the form of an early round pick or a pair of late-rounders. Abdul Hodge of Iowa is a strong, physical, productive option for the Jaguars. Undersized at 6'0"/236, Hodge makes up for his lack of size in his big hitting ability. An instinctive player and team leader, Abdul Hodge is a sure-fire commodity. His ceiling may be lower than some, but his talent floor is very high. In Abdul Hodge, the Jaguars know they have a player that can contribute from day one.
(92) Brian Calhoun, RB. Wisconsin
Fred Taylor can not stay healthy. It has been there years since he played a full 16 games. Greg Jones is a solid backup; but, he struggles in a featured role while Taylor is banged up on the sidelines. Brian Calhoun can be an excellent third down back now, and the starter in the future. Calhoun is an excellent compliment to both Taylor and Jones that would give the offense an added dimension. He has 4.38 speed and excellent hands. His 22 touchdowns scored this past year suggest he has an excellent nose for the end zone. While undersized at 5'9"/201, Calhoun is a tough runner inside the tackles. He takes a beating, but gets back up ready for more every time. Calhoun averaged over 27 carries per game this year for Wisconsin. He is the type of production machine that might be undervalued due to his slight size. The Jaguars will not be fooled, finding excellent value.
(*) Thomas Howard, OLB. UTEP
Thomas Howard is a safety with corner abilities trapped inside a linebacker's body. Needless to say, he is freakishly athletic. Having originally walked-on at UTEP as a safety, Howard gained twenty pounds during his freshman year and was abruptly moved to outside linebacker. Having had experience at safety, his coverage abilities are supurb. His 4.42 speed is capable of covering most number one's in the NFL. His 6'3"/239 size could be slightly improved upon, but Howard is by no means undersized. To boot, his pass rushing skills are excellent. Howard is still developing and may need time before he becomes a thirty down linebacker in the NFL, but he has the potential to redefine the position.
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
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(28) Mercedes Lewis, TE. UCLA
(60) Abdul Hodge, LB. Iowa
(92) Brian Calhoun, RB. Wisconsin
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The Jacksonville Jaguars are in decent shape on both sides of the ball. The offense is young and improving. The defense is suffocating at times. Most intense Jaguar fans know that the loss of Akin Adoyele to free agency is something to toast to and not mourn over. Nevertheless, without a viable option to fill Adoyele's small shoes, an NFL-ready linebacker would greatly improve a defenseive unit that is already very above average. On the offensive side of the ball, Vince Manuwai and Chris Naole have been disappointing at the guard spots. Someone to even put pressure on their starting jobs would be helpful. Plus, depth at running back is always desired when Fred Taylor is your starter. Grabbing some emerging value late in the draft would make a lot of sense. A true tight end could add the final piece to the passing game as well.
(28) Mercedes Lewis, TE. UCLA
Mercedes Lewis is an excellent value choice at #28. The Jaguars would like to add a pass-catching tight end to compliment Jimmy Smith and Matt Jones. Lewis would be that guy. He is a monster in the passing game. His 6'6"/261 size is excellent. Lewis has outstanding hands and is even an excellent blocker. He lacks elite speed (4.84), but he plays faster than he times and simply has all the pass catching skills of an elite tight end prospect. Trying to find value, Lewis would fit the bill. When you consider the team needs as well, Mercedes Lewis is an excellent fit for the Jaguars. He is simply too good of a fit to pass up.
Abdul Hodge can contribute in the NFL tomorrow.
(60) Abdul Hodge, LB. Iowa
Having lost Akin Ayodele to free agency, the Jaguars have a hole in their linebacking corp. While the team is admittedly not missing Ayodele at the moment, a replacement is necessary to be found through the draft either in the form of an early round pick or a pair of late-rounders. Abdul Hodge of Iowa is a strong, physical, productive option for the Jaguars. Undersized at 6'0"/236, Hodge makes up for his lack of size in his big hitting ability. An instinctive player and team leader, Abdul Hodge is a sure-fire commodity. His ceiling may be lower than some, but his talent floor is very high. In Abdul Hodge, the Jaguars know they have a player that can contribute from day one.
Brian Calhoun can take a beating for a little guy
(92) Brian Calhoun, RB. Wisconsin
Fred Taylor can not stay healthy. It has been there years since he played a full 16 games. Greg Jones is a solid backup; but, he struggles in a featured role while Taylor is banged up on the sidelines. Brian Calhoun can be an excellent third down back now, and the starter in the future. Calhoun is an excellent compliment to both Taylor and Jones that would give the offense an added dimension. He has 4.38 speed and excellent hands. His 22 touchdowns scored this past year suggest he has an excellent nose for the end zone. While undersized at 5'9"/201, Calhoun is a tough runner inside the tackles. He takes a beating, but gets back up ready for more every time. Calhoun averaged over 27 carries per game this year for Wisconsin. He is the type of production machine that might be undervalued due to his slight size. The Jaguars will not be fooled, finding excellent value.
Thomas Howard will make Jaguar fans forget
about Akin Ayodele in a hurry
(*) Thomas Howard, OLB. UTEP
Thomas Howard is a safety with corner abilities trapped inside a linebacker's body. Needless to say, he is freakishly athletic. Having originally walked-on at UTEP as a safety, Howard gained twenty pounds during his freshman year and was abruptly moved to outside linebacker. Having had experience at safety, his coverage abilities are supurb. His 4.42 speed is capable of covering most number one's in the NFL. His 6'3"/239 size could be slightly improved upon, but Howard is by no means undersized. To boot, his pass rushing skills are excellent. Howard is still developing and may need time before he becomes a thirty down linebacker in the NFL, but he has the potential to redefine the position.