The Jaguars wouldn't seem to have a pressing need for a defensive back, but it's very likely coach Tom Coughlin's attention will turn toward cornerback on the second day of the draft.
Phillip Buchanon of Miami and Quentin Jammer of Texas head a respectable crop of cornerbacks who offer a reasonable amount of depth. The Jaguars would seem to be set at cornerback with Fernando Bryant and Jason Craft as the starters and Kiwaukee Thomas as the team's "nickel" back, but you can never have enough cornerbacks and the Jaguars find themselves having to replace Aaron Beasley.
Buchanon and Jammer are expected to be top 10 picks. Buchanon is a bit smallish at 5-10, 186, but his speed, coverage skills and instincts make him a special player. Jammer is bigger (6-0, 204), but doesn't have Buchanon's speed or natural coverage ability.
Florida's Lito Sheppard appears poised to go late in the first round or early in the second. Sheppard is shortish but well-built. He has natural coverage abilities that need to be developed more fully on the pro level. Sheppard is also a big-time punt-returner.
Ohio State's Derek Ross, Nebraska's Keyou Craver and Miami's Mike Rumph carry second-round grades, and small-college corners Roosevelt Williams of Tuskegee and Joseph Jefferson of Western Kentucky could be first-day picks. Sheldon Brown of South Carolina, Kris Richard of USC, Andre Goodman of South Carolina, Rashad Bauman of Oregon, Mike Echols of Wisconsin, Andre Lott of Tennessee and Tony Beckham of Wisconsin-Stout will give the position second-day depth.
Oklahoma's Roy Williams tops the list of safeties. Williams, 6-0, 219, is a fierce hitter who has a penchant for making big plays. He has the skills to be the player who defines the safety position over the next several years.
Miami's Edward Reed is expected to be a late-first round or early-second round selection. Reed has natural ball instincts and top-notch intangibles.
Lamont Thompson of Washington State, Clevan Williams of Stanford, Jon McGraw of Kansas State and Ramon Walker of Pittsburgh are second-round candidates. Not far behind are Brian Williams of North Carolina State, Michael Lewis of Colorado, Coy Wire of Colorado and Kevin Curtis of Texas Tech. However, the Jaguars would seem to have no interest in drafting a safety.
