HOT THOUGHTS: JAGS NOT LOCKED INTO EDGE AT ONE OVERALL

The entire NFL world believes the Jaguars are going EDGE with the first pick. Not so fast!

BY JEREMY MARKOSKI

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The Jaguars are NOT locked into EDGE at #1 

I don't know if this is "hot," but it is a thought. I see so many mocks drafts and media members locking up Aidan Hutchinson (rightfully so) for the #1 overall pick, but I don't believe the Jaguars are locked into EDGE at #1. Everything thus far — from free agency signings to the lack of trade movement has signaled EDGE at one — but I still think this has to wait. Mike Garofolo reported the Jaguars will meet with free-agent defensive linemen Arden Key today, and the Jaguars already signed interior defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi. Now, are those two world-beaters? Certainly not. However, I expect the interior of the defensive line to be much better than last year's, and that will bode well for Josh Allen. Effective pressure from ANYWHERE will be a welcomed sight, and it already provides more support for the Jaguars' most important edge defender. Will a guy like Hutchinson add to that threat? Of course, but could pairing someone else (through FA or later rounds) with Josh Allen this year also provide some support for him? Indeed. I believe the Jaguars need a dynamic option across from Allen to become truly dominant, but priorities still fall where they may, and the offensive line still has glaring holes. I don't want Andrew Luck 2.0. 

The Falcons vs. The Field/Don't Pencil in WR at #33… 

The Falcons traded franchise quarterback Matt Ryan to the Jaguars' divisional rival Colts, and they are now potentially trade partners for the #1 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft (fingers crossed). Holding picks #8, #43, and #58, and a myriad of young, promising players, the Falcons have *some* ammunition to potentially move up. I find it more likely that the Falcons will run with newly signed quarterback Marcus Mariota, end up towards the top of the draft again, and go after one of next year's elite arms. However, if they fall in love with a quarterback at the top as talks begin to heat up, Trent Baalke has said the Jaguars are open for business. I think the Giants (new regime) and Panthers (losers in the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes) are still more likely to have interest in number one overall. 

A New Hope Tee

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More unpopular draft talk: Don't pencil in a wide receiver at #33. Do the Jaguars NEED to go get a wide out? Hell yes, they do! Preferably sooner, and honestly, preferably before the draft. What scares me is the roster will come down to numbers, and the Jaguars currently have six wideouts under contract, including Jamal Agnew. After adding Christian Kirk and Zay Jones early in free agency, who could realistically be removed? Marvin Jones Jr. could be cut as a cap casualty, but I doubt the Jaguars move on after one year, and if they wanted to clear out some more money for additional free agents, they would have already. Laviska Shenault is rumored to be on the trade block, but what is his realistic value? He is worth more than just a toss aside draft selection given what he could potentially do if used properly. Am I confident that he will become a weapon? Meh. I am, however, very confident that Doug Pederson could find ways to get more production out of him than Urban Meyer, or at least prove to us through trial and error that he is not the player we thought he was. Lastly, the front office brought back Laquon Treadwell, which means more money applied to the upcoming season that is unlikely to be removed prior to week one. Spots are thinning…

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