The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock in our Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft and they’re looking to make some more serious noise in 2018. Last year, they were on the cusp of an unbelievable Super Bowl run, but the New England Patriots thwarted their efforts with an impressive comeback in the AFC Championship.
But bigjshaky is looking to end that Patriots’ dynasty in 2018, and as the Jaguars’ acting general manager in our community mock, he’s going to do all he can to make that happen. With the 29th overall pick in the draft, bigjshaky has chosen Texas offensive tackle Connor Williams. Here’s bigjshaky explaining the pick:
As general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars, I am proud of where my team is currently positioned. We have one of the strongest collections of defensive talent in the league, a dynamic young running back, and momentum coming off of an AFC Championship Game appearance. Strengths aside, my football operations team (fans over at SBNation’s Big Cat Country) highlight the following areas for which the Jags can improve in 2018 and beyond:
OL – Right guard is the weakest link, and right tackle Jeremy Parnell will be a 33-year-old free agent next year.
TE – Hopefully Austin Seferian-Jenkins can build on last year’s success, but this offense still needs playmakers.
QB – We just re-signed our big-armed, mobile QB … but he’s Blake Bortles. We may need to hedge our bets.
CB – For some reason I just gave D.J. Hayden a three-year, $19 million deal to play nickel.
LB – Paul Posluszny retired.
I am excited for the Jaguars to add Connor Williams. Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller says, “Connor Williams is the draft’s best tackle. He’s a natural left tackle with very good athleticism, a high football IQ and the tools to be a day one starter.” Williams showed off that athleticism at the combine to the tune of a 9.12 RAS. That showing put to rest our concerns about the knee injury that cost Williams most of the 2017 season (and likely sent him sliding down the board to this point).
I am excited for head coach Doug Marrone to get to work with a versatile athlete who is still just 20 years old. While we plan for Williams to be our right tackle of the future, I also look forward to him challenging A.J. Cann for the starting right guard position this year. Our identity as a team is about power running, and NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein calls Williams “a plus run blocker.” In a recent article by Matt Hays, Williams opened up about being bullied when young highlighting, “It made me want to prove everyone wrong.” That’s a great mentality for the Jacksonville Jaguars organization.
Catch up with all of the picks with our POD Community Mock Draft tracker.
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53%
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