Two weeks away: Jaguars 7 Round Mock Draft 2.0

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With the draft being two weeks away, we figured we'd release our second mock draft of the season. Here goes nothing!

By Jordan de Lugo

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Keep in mind this is what I am predicting the Jaguars will do, not what I personally want them to do. 

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Round 1, #4 Overall: Solomon Thomas

In my first mock draft I have the Jaguars selecting Leonard Fournette in this spot, but in this draft I take a new approach. It's recently been reported that Myles Garrett isn't a lock to go number one overall. Here, I have the Browns selecting Trubisky with the first pick, the 49ers selecting Myles Garrett, and the Bears selecting the second best defensive lineman in the draft Jonathan Allen. This leaves the Jaguars with the obvious pick Solomon Thomas. The Jaguars defense has many assets already, but adding a pass rusher always helps.

Every team in front of the Jaguars needs help all over the field and it is possible that one of them decides not to go with a defensive lineman.  If a QB enters the top three then Jaguars will likely be able to get either Solomon Thomas or Jonathan Allen. Thomas isn't a pure edge rusher, but he is a versatile guy that can dominate at the 3 teach and also rush the passer from the big end spot. He is the perfect eventual replacement for Calais Campbell. The Jaguars would add the final piece to an already impressive defensive front. Tom Coughlin stays true to his word and upgrades the line of scrimmage, while also adding an all football, all the time guy to locker room.

Other (more likely) options: DL Jonathan Allen (Alabama), Derek Barnett (Tennessee), RB Leonard Fournette (LSU)

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Round 2, #35 Overall: Dan Feeney

With this pick the Jaguars need to upgrade their interior offensive line and that's exactly what they'll do. With Forrest Lamp and Cam Robinson off the board the Jaguars turn their attention to Dan Feeney. Fenney is considered by some the top offensive guard prospect in the draft. His combination of size, athleticism, and toughness has him set to be one of the more consistent players in this draft. He will not only help the Jaguars in pass protection, but will bring a physicality to the running game as well. 

This pick also perfectly plays into the Jaguars two off season themes. That is improving the line of scrimmage and helping Blake Bortles in every humanly way possible. At 6'4'' tall and 305 lbs. Fenney automatically adds physicality and size to the line. This addition will also help keep the pocket just a little bit cleaner for Bortles. 

3 other options: OG Dion Dawkins (Indiana), OG Evan Pocic (LSU), TE David Njoku (Miami)

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Round 3, #68 Overall: Jake Butt

Widely believed to be one of the best tight ends coming out prior to the 2016 season, Jake Butt suffered a torn ACL in his final game at Michigan. Without the ACL injury Butt likely would go prior to number 68 overall, but with a strong class of receiving tight ends Butt's stock drops just a bit. With the Jaguars making it very clear that they do not want a one dimensional tight end there are several "move" tight ends that are probably off their board due to their inability or lack of potential to block at the next level. 

While Butt isn't a plus athlete or a dominant blocker he might be the perfect fit for the Jaguars. His strong, magnet-like hands making him a viable receiver in the middle of the field and he showed improved blocking ability in 2016. Despite his injury Butt could be a contributor for the Jaguars very early on, and could be ready prior to the start of training camp. His obvious NFL comparison is future HOFer Jason Witten, but Butt (lol) has miles to go as a technician before he reaches that level. 

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Round 4, #110 Overall: Samaje Perine

The Jaguars running game clearly needs an upgrade. Despite already having a decent duo of backs in TJ Yeldon and Chris Ivory the Jaguars elect to draft the ultra physical, team first runner from Oklahoma. No, not Joe Mixon - Samaje Perine. Perine runs down hill, but also displays a fair amount of wiggle and shows decent lateral movement. He won't necessarily be a home run hitter, but Perine projects to be an excellent player that rarely needs to come off the field.

Serine will immediately compete to get the lion's share of the carries in his rookie year. His fresh legs and team first mindset will serve him well as a young player for the Jaguars. In college Perine ran quite a bit from the shotgun which is something the Jaguars will likely appreciate as they have had great success in recent years with 11 personnel (lining up in the shotgun with three wide receivers). With a running style modeled after Marshawn Lynch Jaguars fans will truly enjoy watching this young runner. His legs never stop moving. While he based his running style off of "Beast Mode" he also runs similarly to the Jaguars legendary RB Maurice Jones - Drew and he wears the same number.

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Round 5, #148 Overall: Rasul Douglas

The nation's leader in interceptions last season, Douglas was a one year wonder and former junior college transfer. While Douglas isn't the fastest CB available in the fifth round, he is certainly the most dangerous. With 8 interceptions in 2016 Douglas possesses the ability to get the ball back for his offense, something the Jaguars have been absolutely dreadful at doing over the last several seasons. At 6'2'' Douglas has the size and strength to be one of the more physical cornerbacks in football.

For the Jaguars Douglas will likely find a role as the teams third or fourth outside cornerback and will have should have plenty of time to develop behind Jalen Ramsey and AJ Bouye and perhaps replace Aaron Colvin should he leave following the 2017 season.

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Round 6, #187 Overall: Isaac Asiata 

The Jaguars continue to beef up their offensive line with Isaac Asiata from Utah. Asiata won't likely start for the Jaguars in 2017, unless he proves more impressive than second round pick Dan Feeney. That would open the door for Asiata to become a starting guard for the Jaguars a couple of year down the road. In the meantime he'll provide quality depth behind Feeney and Cann at guard and can even play some center. 

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Round 7, #222 Overall: Matt Milano

Matt Milano is a former safety who will likely play OLB in the pros. The Jaguars lost some depth at linebacker by cutting Dan Skuta. Milano certainly won't play strong side linebacker like Skuta, but he is a quality player later in the draft that always brings the wood. He'll likely start out as an elite playmaker on special teams coverage and could develop into a nice weak side linebacker in a couple of years. He can certainly learn a thing or two from fellow undersized linebacker Telvin Smith. 

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Round 7, #240 Overall: Kermit Whitfield

Yes, Kermit Whitfield is a wide receiver/gadget player on the offensive side of the ball. No, that's not why the Jaguars draft him. Whitfield possesses extreme big play ability as a kick/punt returner, something the Jaguars have lacked for the better part of the last decade. While Rashad Greene showed promise as a punt returner for the Jaguars in 2015, he regressed and struggled with injury in 2016. Greene's former teammate joins him in Jacksonville, however this time it could cost Greene his job. 

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