JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Scooter from St. Augustine, FL
Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson were drafted in the second and fourth round last year. Seems like the draft-and-develop plan should not be looking for another interior defensive lineman.
A few thoughts on your thoughts. One, you can never have enough good-to-great defensive linemen. Two, you draft in the top five for greatness – and not about positional need. Three, the people who drafted Smith and Jefferson last season are no longer working for the Jaguars. Four, the Jaguars like the potential of Smith and Jefferson, believing they have a chance to be really good players. A final thought on the fourth thought: That still doesn't mean it would be silly to select a defensive lineman early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Roy from Ridgewood, Orange Park, FL
I have watched videos of Ashton Jeanty's highlights the past two days. He's a great running back against bad teams. I feel like he would have to run a great offensive line like Philly's. If he ran behind our O-Line, he would be just average. So, I would probably pick an O-Lineman with our No. 5 pick.
Most NFL people feel far differently about Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty than you. If Jeanty isn't a top five selection Thursday, it won't be because NFL scouts see him as average. It will be because of a reluctance to select a running back that early. I don't expect the Jaguars to select an offensive lineman at No. 5 overall. Maybe I'm wrong. There's precedent for that.
Jackson from Dallas
Do you think the Jags would ever trade quarterback Trevor Lawrence for a Top 5 pick next year and get Texas quarterback Arch Manning?
No.
Ed from Jax by Lionel Playworld
What is the Jags' top five of their draft board, do you think?
I have not seen the Jaguars' 2025 draft board and I don't pretend to know their draft board. Most teams' draft boards are usually pretty close at the top and I think Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, Penn State edge Abdul Carter, Jeanty, Penn State tight end Tyler Warren and Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker are very high on most teams' boards.
Robert from Elkton
Watching Ashton Jeanty's running style, he reminds me more of Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton than anyone else. Payton had balance, strength and speed. But I think it was his amazing skill at making an extremely well-placed and timely stiff-arm to keep players away from his body that truly made him great. And with tackling practice and rules being what they are in today's NFL, I think Jeanty's style should excel. But the only important thing is the Jags are trying to pick a perennial All-Pro no matter what position he plays. That starts changing the franchise.
Yep.
Bradley from Sparks, NV
The Los Angeles Chargers were in similar position in last year's draft: Fifth overall pick with a new regime after terrible seasons, but not necessarily awful rosters. Both with potential franchise quarterbacks, some talent on defense, productive but oft-injured high-dollar veterans they released or traded. The Chargers passed on some big-time offensive weapons and took the toughest, high-floor big man available (Joe Alt), which signaled the team they were to be going forward. They also traded up a couple spots in the second round to grab a offensive weapon. They nailed those two big picks and hit on a couple late round picks. They changed the culture, flipped the team's record and made the playoffs. I know the Los Angeles Rams are the North Star, but something could also be learned from the other LA team, too. One fer the trenches!
One fer the trenches, I suppose – though I will be surprised if the Jaguars select an offensive lineman at No. 5 overall.
Tom from the Mean Streets of Nocatee
People forget that Gene was the inspiration for the iconic 80s "A Flock of Seagulls" haircut.
Alas, and quite regrettably, that was me.
Brad from The Avenues
Hook's recent question about Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli being in the draft room made me think. Surely it will be Head Coach Liam Coen making that first "wanna-be-a-Jaguar" call, but at some point, we're almost surely going to pick offensive lineman later on. It'd be cool if Tony was the one to make that call.
I don't yet know who will be making said calls. It's sort of like Christmas when I could probably find out how I'm going to be disappointed, but I like to be surprised so I wait until that morning. I expect it will be Coen. Or maybe General Manager James Gladstone. I would be surprised if it's Boselli. While your idea of a Hall-of-Fame lineman talking to a drafted offensive lineman has a cool element, Coen sets the tone for the organization and Gladstone oversees the draft. That's their night, their domain.
Bradley from Sparks, NV
Ever since James Gladstone came on the scene, he reminds of someone or something . The way he slays at the podium or when interviewed. That "drip" outfit he was wearing during the combine availability … you know, hip – but with heart. I could never quite put my finger on it, until this morning, flipping through channels. He is one of the guys from the movie "Swingers " but 10 years have passed and he is now successful. My guess is at one time he was so money and didn't know it … but now he does.
Vegas, baby.
Jeff from Jacksonville
I, too, recently returned from a one-week trip to London. Everyday our family walked about five miles and took the Tube (subway) several times a day. We were in areas that had a lot of people. I saw less than five people wearing any NFL gear and none with Jaguar gear. One day, I wore a Jaguar hat and not one person acknowledged it until I took a tour of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. There, four employees said something to me about our team. In their large gear store, there were only two small displays of NFL gear. One had a sixteen hat and the other had sixteen ski caps. There was nothing Jaguar. I understand that our team makes money by playing in London, but I saw no impact among the residents or visitors. Thank you.
I have seen an increasing Jaguars presence in London around Jaguars games over the course of their time playing home games there. But I would be surprised if you saw a major NFL memorabilia presence when visiting there. It's not yet a hard-core "NFL town." Becoming an "NFL town" is a "process." London also is a pretty big town with a lot of side streets. Maybe the Jaguars fans were somewhere you weren't.
Mason from Palm Bay, FL
I thought of a great idea today and thought I should share it with you. Since we have 10 draft picks this week, you should just type their position and name (maybe even add their school for fun) and then you can copy and paste it when someone asks who we drafted.
Shad Khan … hire this man!
Fred from The desolate Willie Brown trail
I preface this by saying my preference is Mason Graham or O-line. But if you're convinced Ashton Jeanty is truly special, do you pass on a potential Barry Sanders?
It would be difficult.
Sam from Orlando, FL
60th overall pick Maurice Jones Drew? (Not fifth)
People who believe Jeanty could be the No. 5 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft believe he will be a perennial All-Pro and a potential Hall of Fame player. Jones-Drew was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and one-time All-Pro selection.
Brian from Carlisle, PA
O, I get it everyone is playing armchair general manager. Everything I have heard from Gladstone was 180 from where we were a few months ago. I say let our GM make the roster in the coaches' wheelhouse. I look at the successful teams in the NFL and all of them have one thing in common. GMs and coaches being on the same page. It takes time to build a roster that is consistent and when the Jags get to that level, we won't see high-pricing free agents coming in. We will be re-signing stars to our team not FA.
OK.
Grammar Policeman from Corrections Headquarters
You have again screwed up in using "effect" when you should have written "affect." Therefore, you are being fined a large amount of money. Expect a text message with a link to pay.
Effect and affect are tricky. I used to get it wrong a lot. I get it write a lot more now. I sometimes have brain fades. I right a lot, almost every day. I strive for perfection. I don't reach it. One person did, as I recall. He lived a long time ago. I'll keep trying.
