(April 22)—They finished a win away from making the playoffs last season. Is this the draft that'll put the Jaguars over the top?
Expectations are high for the Jaguars in 2005, and if the team is to meet its fans' playoff demands, this weekend's draft will probably have to address the team's remaining areas of need. What are those positions of need? Most would agree they are cornerback, offensive tackle, wide receiver, linebacker and running back.
The Jaguars have one pick in each round of the draft. The team's first pick is at 21 overall, where some of the prospects include cornerbacks Carlos Rogers and Fabian Washington, offensive tackles Jammal Brown and Khalif Barnes, wide receivers Troy Williamson, Mark Clayton, Roddy White, Terrance Murphy and Matt Jones, and linebacker Odell Thurman. Running back isn't expected to offer a prospect where the Jaguars are picking in the first round.
Rogers and Brown are almost certain to be gone by the time the Jags pick. Should either player be available, he would probably be an easy selection.
The Jaguars addressed defensive end in a big way in free agency, but this year's draft class is strong at that position and it wouldn't be a surprise if the Jaguars go for a defensive end in round one. Georgia defensive end David Pollack is thought to be a player on whom the Jaguars have a high grade.
Tight end isn't a position of need for the Jaguars, but Virginia's Heath Miller might be available for the Jaguars and Miller is also a player the Jaguars like.
Who's going to be their guy? That was the one question James Harris and Jack Del Rio wouldn't answer at this week's draft-preview press conference. You'll have to wait until Saturday afternoon to find out who that guy is going to be.
Jaguars.com will provide in-depth coverage of the draft from beginning to end. That coverage will include:
- Live video of every press conference.
- Live audio from the commissioner's podium (provided by NFL.com)
- Simulcast of Saturday's draft-day radio show.
- Video archive of broadcasting's war room package.
- Video of 2005 ROAR Introductions.
- Player bio and "Vic's take" after each pick.
- Day-one and day-two roundups by Senior Editor Vic Ketchman.
- Video of each Jaguars pick's college game tapes (when available).
- Transcripts of every press conference.
- Vic's AFC South Roundup after each round
