JACKSONVILLE – Nine Jaguars experts – Rick Ballou, Tony Boselli, Frank Frangie, Jeff Lageman, Brent Martineau, John Oehser, Brian Sexton, J.P. Shadrick and Ashlyn Sullivan – break down how the Jaguars fared in the recent 2020 NFL Draft …
Rick Ballou, Jaguars sideline reporter
Overall impression: The Jaguars addressed their biggest need by selecting cornerback CJ Henderson in Round 1. They drafted athletic and high-character players. With seven defensive picks, the rebuild is underway. It will be interesting to see if defensive coordinator Todd Wash changes things up to get these players on the field more.
Guy I liked: Second-round wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. of Colorado is the wild card. If he can stay healthy, his potential is incredible. He can line up all over the field, including the backfield. The Jaguars must find a way to get him the ball.
What I wondered about: I liked what the Jaguars did but was surprised they didn't add an every-down back on offense.
Tony Boselli, Jaguars analyst and former Jaguars left tackle
Overall impression: I thought the Jaguars had a solid first two days of the draft, finding players that should help from Day One. There wasn't a player in Rounds 4-7 that stood out to me who would contribute immediately on offense or defense, but hopefully a couple of those guys will be special teams contributors. If I was giving it a grade – and, by the way, I hate draft grades right after the draft – it would be a B+.
Guy I liked: I really liked the K'Lavon Chaisson pick. I remember watching him this season at LSU, and he stood out on a team with a lot of really good players. I am not sure he's a natural 4-3 defensive end who can put his hand in in the ground every play, but with his size, strength and athletic ability, he gives you great flexibility to move him around at multiple positions. The question: where do you play him if defensive end Yannick Ngakoue signs the franchise tag and plays in Jacksonville this year? However, it's never a bad thing to have a bunch of guys who can rush the passer on the field at the same time.
What I wondered about: The main thing that had me scratching my head coming out of the draft: why not draft a running back in the middle rounds? Even though it looks like that Leonard Fournette will be with the Jaguars in 2020, I still would've tried to find a make-you-miss back – or what historically has been called a scat back – in the middle rounds.
Frank Frangie, Radio Voice of the Jaguars
Overall impression: I like what they did. I think the whole character thing matters and it's clear this is a no-nonsense group. I also feel like they got faster and tougher. They allowed teams to rush for 200 yards or more five times last year. That MUST stop. Tough, physical defenders will affect that. Really like the draft overall.
Guy I liked: There are lots. One guy in the league I trust told me Chaisson might have been one of the five best players in the draft. I love Shenault's attitude. But for me, it's linebacker Shaq Quarterman. Tough, physical, great leader, local guy. He starts out as a backup, but I think he is going to play lots of football for the Jaguars.
What I wondered about: My only concern was did they bring in enough playmakers. I liked Shenault and wide receiver Collin Johnson, but wouldn't have minded one more elite receiver early in the draft. Or a dynamic running back. Those were my only questions.
Jeff Lageman, Jaguars analyst and former Jaguars defensive end
Overall impression: My overall impression is positive with a clear emphasis that was put on character AND performance with the many draft picks.
Guy I liked: I really like Shenault, a top-tier talent and playmaker who is just plain physical.
What I wondered about: I did wonder if quarterback might be a consideration early, but it looks as if Minshew Mania runs through the organization.
Brent Martineau, Action Sports Jax Sports Director
Overall impression: Sometimes a boring draft is a great draft. The Jaguars didn't make a lot of selections that made fans fist pump, but they filled holes, added potential stars and built some depth. This had all the makings of a two-year plan inside the Jaguars organization. Henderson and Chaisson might be stars in the NFL, but they also could experience some early growing pains.
Guy I liked: I'm probably not alone, but the pick I liked the most was Shenault. I'm not sure the Jaguars have ever had a player with his skillset. New offensive coordinator Jay Gruden should be able to move him all around the formation on offense. I think Shenault has a chance to give the Jaguars' offense some personality and identity.
What I wondered about: The draft did leave me wondering why General Manager David Caldwell wasn't more aggressive on Day 2. Could the Jaguars have moved up to grab a running back by packaging a couple of picks in the middle rounds? I was stunned the Jags didn't make one trade in the 2020 draft.
John Oehser, jaguars.com senior writer
Overall impression: This draft should be an organizational reset. That's how the Jaguars set it up – trading multiple veterans to create a monster 12-player class, then using those dozen selections to select high-character players and take a major step toward rebuilding a depleted defense.
Guy I liked: Quarterman. Pretty much everything about him is likeable. He's confident, engaging – and as a former standout from nearby Oakleaf High School, no one was more excited to join this team during this draft. But here's why I liked this selection: He has been successful quickly wherever he has played, starting for Miami as a true freshman and earning some level of All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors all four seasons. Some players just have a way of being productive and effective. Quarterman feels like such a player.
What I wondered about: The lack of a running back – and not just because of pre-draft trade rumors around starter Leonard Fournette. It seemed this offense needed a change-of-pace back with missability in the middle rounds, and I was surprised the Jaguars didn't address that area.
Brian Sexton, jaguars.com senior correspondent
Overall impression: It's hard to argue with the effort. Finding a top-shelf cornerback AND pass rusher in the first round allowed the Jaguars to be patient and let the draft play out. Shenault was the steal of their draft class in the second round; throughout the remainder of their 12 draft picks, they found good players to fill roles and replenish the roster. Everyone wants to say their team hit a home run, but this one to me was a triple that scored a few runs. A really good, really solid effort.
Guy I liked: I saw Shenault as a sophomore and thought he might be a top-five pick had he entered the draft after 2018. Colorado used him in so many ways and he looked like a man playing with boys, dominating in the Pac-12 conference. He's not just a big receiver with speed; he is like a small forward on the basketball court who can step back and hit from long distance or muscle his way past a defender and drive to the rim. They wanted a weapon for quarterback Gardner Minshew II and they got him one.
What I wondered about: I thought the Jaguars might jump into the tight ends earlier than the sixth round. I'm a fan of Tyler Eifert's abilities but he's never been able to stay on the field. We didn't see enough from Josh Oliver as a rookie last season, and James O'Shaughnessy will be working his way back from a torn knee ligament. Maybe everything comes together from this group, but there are still some questions in the tight end room.
J.P. Shadrick, jaguars.com reporter/editor
Overall impression: We might look back at this draft someday as the start of the turning point for the Jaguars. The first-round picks must hit and they need to stay in Jacksonville long-term to complete the "hit" process, but if some of the eight – yes eight – Day 3 selections can develop into contributing players, then you've really got something special.
Guy I liked: Chaisson. There's a lot of tread on the tires, as he started playing varsity football late in high school and came out of Louisiana State early. As we write this, he is 20 years old and will be 21 in late July by the time training camp is scheduled to open. Put him next to Josh Allen and Ngakoue, then you've got a potentially special pass-rushing group.
What I wondered about: Tight end Tyler Scott. His final-year stats at Georgia Tech do not jump off the page, but Georgia Tech was in a transition year coming out a decade of running the triple-option offense and not using a traditional tight end. His stats at UConn before that were notable, and Caldwell told him on the phone Saturday that they liked the way he ran and wondered why he did not get the ball more with Tech. If he can carry the load blocking and contribute when called upon in the passing game and play well on special teams, he could be in for a long NFL career.
Ashlyn Sullivan, Digital reporter and host
Overall Impression: The Jaguars added 12 quality players in the '20 draft. Each pick addressed a need or added depth, with the Jaguars entering the draft needing to fill many holes. The defense now should be able to compete at a high level with an emphasis on stopping the run, and the offense has taken a step in the right direction adding more playmakers.
Guy I liked: Chaisson. Caldwell was deciding between drafting Chaisson and Henderson No. 9 overall – the fact that they secured both picks in Round 1 speaks volumes of the success of the Jaguars' draft. I think Chaisson will make an immediate impact on defense. His versatility will give Wash options, and he seems ready to come in and lead despite being a rookie. Watching how excited Allen was to speak with him makes me optimistic they could be a great duo.
What I wondered about: Ben Bartch. The fourth-round offensive lineman from Division III St. John's (Minnesota) is this year's Quincy Williams – who the Jaguars selected from Murray State in Round 3 last offseason. I didn't know much about him going into the draft besides the famous smoothies. The scouting department obviously sees potential in him, but for now I can only wonder if he will just add depth to the offensive line due to the competition he faced in college. Hopefully, Bartch proves the doubters like myself wrong.
