JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Kei from Kitakyushu, Japan

Head Coach Liam Coen reiterated the other day that he expects this upcoming draft class to play and contribute immediately. General Manager James Gladstone has emphasized the same point several times since being brought on. Given the expected reliance on rookies, and the caliber of players they have let go that they are expected to replace, wouldn't it be fair to say that this is more of a roster rebuild than a "reload?" And if the answer is yes, then why not just be transparent about it?

I'm not quiiiite sure I understand the need for a specific "label" here, and I certainly don't see the Jaguars as trying to hide anything. Coen and Gladstone have spoken at media availabilities since their hirings earlier this offseason – and they have answered questions. They have tried from this perspective to be as honest and transparent as possible in doing so. They made clear when they signed 10 unrestricted free agents in March that they were not pursuing top-of-the-market – and insanely pricey and salary-cap-space eating – free agents. Gladstone in particular has said the Jaguars plan to build through the draft with 21 selections over the next two years, and Coen has said he expects multiple draft selections this offseason to play key roles. One thing to clarify here is this perception that the Jaguars have released or lost front-line players from last season. I liked wide receiver Christian Kirk and tight end Evan Engram. A lot. But they were injured throughout much of last season and not as productive when healthy as they had been early in their stints here; it's just hard to argue that the Jaguars have parted ways with a lot of high-end production. Remember, too: The Jaguars were 4-13 last season; were there that many untouchable players? Bottom line: I don't know whether to call this a rebuild or a reload. I do know the Jaguars' new regime is trying to build the roster the right way for the short- and long-term. They believe they can compete for the AFC South title quickly and they believe they will improve the roster gradually after that. Label it what you will, but that's the objective.

Deane from Hill AFB via Daytona Beach, FL

Yo, O-Zone!!! Excluding a glaring need by a team, can you try to shed light on how general managers, coaches and scouts determine Best Player Available? Excluding quarterbacks, what makes an athlete at any position better than the other? Is it combine stats, football IQ, scheme fit, their alma mater or overall production in college? Is one metric valued more than the other; if so, why? Just trying to make some sense of their logic and algorithms. Or at the end of the day do they just punch it all into Chat-GPT to get best player avaiable? What says you, O-Zone???

There are nearly as many answers for this as there are general managers. That's because determining best player available can be rephrased as … "scouting." Every factor of scouting – from college production, level of college competition, football IQ, measurables such as speed and strength, etc., etc. – plays a factor. Some general managers weigh some elements more than others. The best general managers ask themselves, "Can the guy play?" and factor that above all else. It sounds as if Gladstone likes asking that question and making sure he likes the answer before he drafts a player. That approach could bode well for the Jaguars in the coming seasons.

Bryan from Yorkshire, VA

I can't even fathom how we're having a serious discussion contemplating taking a mid-major running back, or any running back for that matter, at No. 5 overall. Please Jags, for the love of everything, don't overthink this. We have made this mistake too many times in the past 20 years. Just draft Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham if he's there and let's keep this train moving. Or if he's not there, take the next best defensive or offensive lineman and don't mess it up. If we had stellar lines on both sides, and more picks to play with, maybe, but we just don't have the luxury in our current form.

So, one not fer selecting a running back at No. 5 overall.

Sean from Oakleaf

If a team leads the league in rushing yards, what percentage of credit do you allocate to the skill and athleticism of the running backs, the effectiveness of run blocking for the offensive line and blocking tight ends, the offensive play call design? Do you equally distribute the credit over those three components?

As with any question involving "credit" in the NFL – or with "credit" in most things in life – the answer varies depending specific circumstances. My experience is that the running game in the NFL depends mostly on the offensive line with exceptional running backs sometimes mattering very much if the blocking is at least adequate. If the individual quarterback or coordinator is exceptional, then play-calling can at times have a great effect – if the players are good enough to execute what's being called.

Robert from Elkton

The urban rule is you don't take a running back in the Top 5. I think an underlying basis of the rule is if you are picking that high, you likely have a major need at the "premium position" of quarterback, defensive end or offensive tackles. But if you have those players and a potential Barry Sanders/Fred Taylor is available, then that rule makes no sense. The Jags were dead last in time of possession last year. A whole lot went into that from both sides of the ball, but I fault the offense more than the defense. Now imagine teaming quarterback Trevor Lawrence, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and an even slightly improved line with Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and the offensive mind of Coach Coen. Huge improvement of the offense will improve the defense way more than the other way around.

OK.

Greg from Section 122, SOTF, Jacksonville, FL

I know we can guess, predict and attempt to foresee the future when it comes to the draft. Just an interesting hypothetical scenario, if they decided to draft running back at No. 5, then perhaps during that night we trade running back Travis Etienne Jr. and a couple of picks to get back in the first round? Go get a top wide receiver that we also need? I know I love playing the what-if game. But to be really honest I hope we get a repeat of the draft where defensive end Josh Allen miraculously fell to us. I want Travis Hunter, man. I want him so much on this roster. Something in my gut tells me he will be really special.

We have a "trade machine" sighting – and while this is unlikely to be the last such sighting in these parts before the 2025 NFL Draft, the reality is it's difficult to predict specific moves in advance of a draft because these things happen in real time. Yes, selecting a player such as Jeanty could make trading a player such as Etienne possible. If a team is interested. If the price is right. If there is a player the Jaguars covet. If the timing is right. And so on. As for Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter … most NFL analysts and personnel people agree with you that he is special. If he's available when the Jaguars select at No. 5 overall, I expect they will take him and feel great about it. We'll see.

Doug from Jacksonville

I wonder if our friend named for his Russian uncle reads knows about any other building project in Jacksonville. Buildings get incentives and forgivable loans every day that aren't owned by the city like the stadium is or create revenue like the stadium can. You're either growin' or dyin'. I for one pay my taxes and am happy to see growin'.

One fer growin', apparently.

Jackson from West Palm Beach, FL

Do you think the Jaguars would accept a trade to move back in the draft? If not, do you think the Jags could move up in the draft to try and get Penn State edge Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter?

I think the Jaguars will consider trading down from No. 5 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. I would be surprised if they trade up from there because of cost.

Scott from Gilbert, AZ

Zone, I'll bet you an IPA that the Jags are already taking calls about coming up to No. 5 overall for Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.

I wouldn't be surprised if you're correct. Most teams talk to many other teams about many first-round scenarios before every draft.

Bill from Avondale

Y'all need to read a history book. Frenette didn't fight Drago, Rocky Balboa did. I saw a documentary on it the other day.

This made me laugh. Don't get cocky. It doesn't take much.