The Jaguars saw a player on their board with a first-round grade, and he was still available late into the second round. The value was too much for "Shack" Harris to pass up.
Florida State running back Greg Jones became the Jaguars' second of two second-round picks, after the Jaguars traded their third-round (70th overall) and fourth-round (102nd) picks to Green Bay for the 55th pick of the draft. It's a pick that's more about value than it is about need, though coach Jack Del Rio referred to the need for depth at the running back position.
Jones, 6-1, 250, is a power back the likes of which the Jaguars have never had on their roster. Until he suffered a major knee injury in November of 2002, most thought Jones would've declared eligibility for the 2003 draft and would've been the top back selected.
The knee injury changed all of that. Last season was Jones' comeback year, and the injury cost him his quickness. It wasn't until late in the season that he appeared to be nearing full recovery, and the Jaguars believe they've drafted the kind of runner Jones was before the injury.
"This is the best I've felt since I had the surgery," Jones told reporters. "I came back quick but I was playing while I was rehabbing. The Senior Bowl, that was the best my knee felt."
Jones may have announced his recovery in the Orange Bowl, when he literally ran over Miami safety Sean Taylor in the middle of the field. Washington made Taylor the fifth pick of the draft earlier today.
With the Jaguars, Jones will offer insurance for star running back Fred Taylor. LaBrandon Toefield did that last season as a fourth-round pick. With Taylor, Toefield and Jones, the Jaguars would seem to have assembled an impressive stable of running backs.
"I want to learn from him. He's one of my favorite running backs," Jones said of Taylor. "I am going to learn from him and improve myself."
