JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Marcus from Jacksonville

I don't think the Jaguars' history of drafting receivers has anything to do with what they will do at this year's draft. I do think General Manager Trent Baalke's history in the draft does impact what they will do. In his time as a general manager in San Francisco and in Jacksonville, he has only drafted a receiver in the top 100 picks once – all the way back in 2012. In Jacksonville, he hasn't drafted a receiver earlier than the sixth round. I'm not saying he would never draft a first-round receiver, or even trade up to get one, but his history seems to indicate he has other priorities early in the draft, so I'm not going to count on it. Do you think his history is significant, or just coincidental based on who happened to be available?,

This a legitimate topic, though I don't know that it will dictate the Jaguars' draft approach – and I don't sense that Baalke is averse to selecting wide receiver early as much as his teams have had other draft-day priorities. Many factors influence draft decisions -- include positional value and the makeup of the team's roster. The Jaguars during Baalke's time in Jacksonville, for example, have invested heavily in wide receiver via free agency (Christian Kirk, Marvin Jones, Zay Jones and Gabe Davis) and trade (Calvin Ridley) while focusing elsewhere during the early rounds of the draft. They took this approach because they needed to build quickly with established skill players around a young quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, not because Baalke didn't believe wide receiver to be worthy of a Round 1 or 2 selection The Jaguars may not select the position early in the 2024 NFL Draft, which undoubtedly would anger many Jaguars observers. But if they don't go receiver early, the thought here is it would be more because this is considered a deep receiver draft than Baalke having a philosophical stance against selecting the position early.

Jon from Jacksonville

Hey, Zone. Who do you think is the better overall tackle, Cam Robinson or Walker Little? I thought Little played well from Weeks 1-4 last season before Cam came back. I also thought he played well at the end of the 2022 season and into the playoffs. I am not saying he is better or worse than Cam, but why is Robinson seen as the better player? Who do you like best and why is one better than the other?

I like Robinson and think he's really important to the Jaguars' offensive line. He's a veteran with savvy and scrappiness who brings a needed toughness and experience to the position. The Jaguars' offense at times has been much better with Robinson in the game than when he has been out. This is saying nothing against Little, who has the skillset and potential to be very good. But from this view, I would have to go with Robinson because I have seen him be a solid NFL starter for seven seasons and have yet to see Little do so for a season.

Anita from Springfield

While in hindsight I feel like we should have sat Trevor for a bit to recover, does the collapse after his injury streak not demonstrate the value he has as a franchise QB? When healthy under Douggy P, he's been very good if not yet elite. I for one still trust in the kid!

One fer the kid.

Brad from The Avenues

John, I'm remembering a return by former Jaguars wide receiver Keelan Cole. I think it was against the Green Bay Packers. He made a move on the kicker, or punter, that made him pull up wanting no part of it. I only remember this at all because it made me laugh my keester off. With the new kickoff rules, it seems there will be times when the kicker will be the only thing standing between the returner and the end zone. I know at times teams have carried a kickoff specialist on their rosters, but is it possible that teams may have to make this a permanent thing? This new position would require him: one, to have some meat on his bones; two, to have more tackling training – and maybe most of all, having the guts to get it done.

I don't think the new kickoff rules will force many – if any – teams to carry an extra kicker for his tackling ability. While I expect kickers to be called upon to tackle a bit more than in recent seasons under the new rules, the reality is kickers for years in the NFL were called upon to tackle. Sometimes they did well in this endeavor. Often, they did not. Either way, teams rarely – if ever – burned a roster spot for this reason and I doubt that approach will change.

Sam from Orlando, FL

The two-tone helmets were an absolute abomination. And the 2020 draft had superstars, but from our first pick to our last pick, the Jags didn't get even a bit better. Also. An abomination.

OK.

Pops from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

I agree with most of the pundits that the Jags should focus on a cornerback and a WR1. Since mid-round draft selections are hopefuls and late-round draft selections are dubious, let's bundle those selections to move up in the first and second rounds to find the strongest and most likely-to-succeed cornerback and wide receiver. That's it: Let's keep it simple. What say you, O-Zone?

I say the Jaguars might trade up in the 2024 NFL Draft if they love a player. I also say that from a philosophical point of view, a lot of general managers would resist trading up too far or too often for cornerback and/or wide receivers in a draft believed to be deep and talented at the positions.

Daniel from Johnston, IA

I know others asked about him earlier, but I didn't think it was likely. Now that Calais Campbell has been sitting out there a while, any chance he returns to the Jags for a reasonable contract?

Is there a chance? Sure, there's always a chance. I wouldn't see it as likely.

Mike from Jacksonville

Just curious? J. Allen got a lot of dough for future sacks. What does analytics say about the % of wins this gives the team with the "sackers?" This should be the only gauge for the investment made.

What?

Bill from Jacksonville, FL

John, Baalke basically admitted after last year's draft they got stuck holding more draft picks than they wanted. Do you think Baalke will be more mindful this year about acquiring so many extra picks by trading down? Has he learned his lesson?

I think Baalke will approach the draft as he and all general managers approach it – trying to use draft equity to maximize value. Sometimes you can trade selections. Sometimes you can't. I do not think Baalke necessarily will shy away from acquiring draft selections in this draft just because it was difficult to trade late in last year's draft.

John from Jacksonville

Hi, KOAGF. There is an important stat – as much as touchdowns and Interceptions – that I feel should be included when discussing quarterbacks. This is fumbles. Interceptions can be owned by either the wide receiver or quarterback. Quarterback fumbles are owned by the quarterback. This is a very important measuring stick between quarterbacks and between season performances of one quarterback.

Fair.

Deane from Daytona Beach, FL

Yo O-Zone! I was impressed that the Jags picked up an Aussie tight end. Not that he is from down under, but that he is a national level decathlete! That is some serious athleticism! Welcome to DUUUVAAL, Patrick Murtagh! This brings me to my question: How are CFL, arena football, and XFL players acquired if they or a team wants to pick them up? Is there a specific time period? Do they have to put in to be drafted? Or are they just undrafted free agents? What says you, O-Zone???

They're free agents as long as they are not under contract by another team.

JK from NY and Fernandina Beach, FL

John - The key to the Jags' future success is having Trevor continue to progress towards elite status. The key to helping him is not to go big and early in the draft for a wide receiver. Trevor has plenty of good targets already on the roster. But even the best quarterbacks cannot place dimes unless they have time to read the defense and throw. Trevor's biggest area of improvement is to not force throws, particularly when he is under pressure. The Jags should continue to shore up the line at guard and tackle. The offensive line needs to continue to get bigger, meaner and more athletic for 2024 and the future. Offensive line would be a wise investment of draft capital.

I expect the Jaguars to address offensive line early in the draft. I don't have a sense of a specific round.