JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Dylan from Danvers, MA
If the Jaguars draft University of Florida product Jawaan Taylor at No.7, how do Josh Wells, Corey Robinson and Jermey Parnell fit into the equation? Will they be benched for depth/released, or do the Jags pass on Taylor altogether?
I don't expect everyone to read everything on this free website or to constantly refresh the roster page, but Corey Robinson became an unrestricted free agent on March 13 and is no longer on the roster. Parnell was released before the March 13 start of free agency, so he also is longer on the roster – and therefore, like Robinson, no longer "fits into the equation." The Jaguars did re-sign Wells, so he could be the swing tackle. Here's what else the Jaguars have done this offseason at right tackle: sign unrestricted free agents Cedric Ogbuehi and Leonard Wester. They also have right tackle and 2018 fourth-round selection Will Richardson on the roster. I expect a couple of players from the group of Wells, Richardson, Ogbuehi and Wester to be on the roster. I don't expect any of them to preclude the Jaguars from selecting Taylor or any other offensive lineman in Round 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Tom from Section 141 and the Mean Streets of Nocatee
Is there any chance the Jags will bring back Jeremy Parnell?
The chances are minimal. At best.
John from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Best first-round picks by the Jaguars: left tackle Tony Boselli (No. 2 overall, 1995), running back Fred Taylor (No. 9, 1998), defensive tackle Marcus Stroud (No. 13, 2001), defensive tackle John Henderson (No. 9, 2002), cornerback Jalen Ramsey (No. 5, 2016). Worst first-round picks by the Jaguars: wide receiver R.J. Soward (No. 29, 2000), wide receiver Matt Jones (No. 21, 2005), defensive end Derrick Harvey (No. 8, 2008), wide receiver Justin Blackmon (No. 5, 2012) and left tackle Luke Joeckel (No. 2, 2013).
I agree with your "best" selections; it's hard to argue any of those players. As far as the "worst, it's hard to discern between Reggie Williams and Jones at wide receiver – and I probably would find a place for quarterback Blaine Gabbert (No. 10, 2011) on the list.
Big on Blake from Philly
Zone, I'm very much flattered that I've received attention not only for my moniker, but the content of my write-ins. I don't have any clue where Dante Fowler Jr. Fowler was re-drafted because I was looking at the 2016 draft. That said, having three re-draft first rounders from that year makes this defense competitive for the foreseeable future. And can't a man show Blake some love without being called a burner account?
Apparently not.
Spazman from Jacksonville
Dom Capers: age 68; Norv Turner: age 66. Number of years serving as NFL coordinator or coach: Dom Capers: 40, Norv Turner: 34. Number of NFL teams each has coached for: Dom Capers: eight, Norv Turner: nine. I rest my case …
Your case, if memory serves, was that Capers and Turner were historically inept coordinators. Your statistics don't remotely address the case, which is understandable because there's no legitimate case to be made.
Charlie from Jacksonville
Hey John, it's funny how "Spazman" is so sure Norv Turner and Dom Capers are such trash coordinators, but just can't decide on Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash. Selective expertise, I'd say.
Spazman is a visionary. He is right on topics where the rest of the world incorrectly disagrees with Spazman. It's the only explanation.
Andrew from Duuuvaall
Have you considered raising the bar of intelligence required to have a question answered? As masterfully as you handle them, I feel dumber for having read Spazman's last two questions and anything Logan/Jerell ask.
Spazman is a visionary. And Jerell's questions don't always make you feel dumber. (Wait for it …)
Jerell from Columbia, SC
John, I think if Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins is there, the Jaguars are going to take him. I think they have learned their lessons about passing on potential franchise quarterbacks because the people in the building think they have one. Haskins at No. 7 if he is there.
I would be fine with this. I don't believe it will happen. (See?)
Rog from St. Augustine, FL
O - The most important player on a football team is the quarterback. So, it continues to confuse me that we are moving forward with Cody Kessler as our backup. Quoting Cynthia Frelund, NFL Network analytics expert: "Consider that 16 teams, half of the NFL, used multiple quarterbacks last season. Also, I've been tracking teams who have starter-level backups and strong development plans for future starters, and they win more games. Non-starters who have similar play-style profiles to the starters also have greater rates of success...." I know you are in favor of a Haskins draft; knowing the needs for offensive line, tight end or defensive line, if Haskins is available can we pass on him? He has similarities to Foles as a drop-back quarterback and his rookie contract makes it affordable with a minimum of a two-year learning curve for the future. Your thoughts?
I would be fine with this. I don't believe it will happen.
Brian from Jacksonville
There is another player worth discussing as the Jaguars' top pick. As an alternative to the defensive lineman that may fall to us, Taylor or Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson, North Carolina State center Garrett Bradbury is another "exceptional-talent" guy that would have immediate impact for the Jaguars. Bradbury is a potential generational talent at a critical position. He would free Linder to move to right guard. Cann becomes interior swing with guard/center Tyler Shatley. The five offensive tackles we have and the one we will likely draft before the end of the third round can fight it out for the offensive-tackle positions. I think the line would be uplifted as much if not more than taking Taylor or Hockenson at No. 7. However, it's likely this can only happen if the Jags trade out of the No. 7 spot. You can't take a center with No. 7...can you? Maybe trading out of No. 7 to get Hock and Bradbury?
I can't imagine a scenario in which the Jaguars would take Bradbury – or any other center – No. 7 overall. As for whether the Jaguars could trade back and select Bradbury … sure, I suppose. Trading back always is possible, but it's extremely difficult to project trades before the draft – even more difficult than projecting the draft without trades. But I wouldn't put this possibility very high: The Jaguars re-signed Cann in free agency and have signed center Brandon Linder and left guard Andrew Norwell to big contacts in recent seasons. I expect that trio to start on the interior this season.
Marc from the Southside
Do you think it's possible or even likely that Cann's right-guard job would be challenged by the odd-man out in the competition for starting right tackle? (assuming Will Richardson competes with a rookie for the right-tackle spot)
I expect Cann to start at right guard next season.
Alejandro from Mexico City, Mexico
Dear Mr. O. How do you think that the new contract of DeMarcus Lawrence will affect the negotiations with Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue? Same, less, more money? (In other words, who do you think is the best player?)
Lawrence, who signed a five-year, $105 million extension with Dallas last week, has had 25 sacks over the past two seasons. Ngakoue, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract next season, has 21.5 sacks over the past two seasons. That would indicate that Lawrence is slightly better than Ngakoue and I would say the difference indeed is slight – if there is a difference at all. I would expect based on that for Ngakoue's second contract to be in the vicinity of Lawrence's, but not above it. We'll see.
Josh from Jacksonville
I think Ken is confusing Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok. On a somewhat related note: what happened to all the good nicknames in the NFL? Is everyone just going with the lazy and overdone first initial-last initial-jersey number thing?
What?
Brian from Jacksonville
It seems to me that the offensive-line room has been reloaded with decent, capable options now. They'll be fine as-is if injured players return as expected. Tight end remains the Jaguars' biggest need on offense. There will be exceptional prospects from both sides of the ball available at No. 7. Is Hockenson one of those exceptional prospects? I think he could be. Is Taylor one of those exceptional prospects? I think, hmm. Gotta have the Hock ... right?
I don't get the idea there's a mammoth difference in the "exceptional factor" between Taylor and Hockenson.
Daniel from Jersey City, NJ
O-man, my wife said that the Jaguars "will draft an offensive lineman, a tight end, or someone else." My wife is always right. Why are we debating what will happen?
I have one of those, too.