The day began with this storyline: The Jaguars finished a win away from making the playoffs last season. Is this the draft that'll put them over the top?
At the end of day one, the question was: Will Matt Jones be the player that puts the Jaguars over the top?
The selection of Jones with the 21st pick of the draft was the most exciting moment of the day. It energized everyone "dying" to see Jones make the move from star college quarterback to star NFL wide receiver. Most of all, it energized Jaguars fans who were "dying" for the team to address an offense that was one of the worst in the league last season.
What did the Jaguars accomplish on the first day of the draft?
"A great deal," coach Jack Del Rio said as he surveyed the landscape of his first three picks. "We got a play-making offensive threat in Matt Jones. We got a starting-caliber left tackle in Khalif Barnes. And we got a guy who will challenge for some time at 'nickel' and contribute on special teams in Scott Starks."
Expectations for Jones are that he will provide immediate impact on offense. Barnes is expected to provide insurance at left tackle, where Mike Pearson is attempting to make a full recovery from reconstructive knee surgery. Starks is another body at cornerback, where the competition for the vacant job on the right side will probably be the feature attraction of training camp.
"We wanted to come out with a receiver, someone who could make plays. We would've liked to have gotten a left tackle and a corner," Harris said of his wish list going into day one.
Guess what? He got what he wanted.
So what's left to do on Sunday in rounds 4-7? The Jaguars have one pick in each round.
"We're going to go by our board. We're going to regroup and briefly discuss the players we're going to target tomorrow," Harris said.
Harris also said he had not received any trade inquiries for safety Donovin Darius.
Round four begins at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
