And with the #8 Pick in the Arrowhead Pride Mock Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars Select...

by Chris Thorman on Mar 19, 2009 7:30 AM CDT in 2009 AP Mock Draft

Florida WR Percy Harvin

DThomasReigns with the pick...

It is obvious that unless you traded into the top 10 of the draft, you have many holes to fill. The Jaguars are no different.

Holes:
OL - Check. An injury riddled OL last year severely impacted their running and passing games. They lost Khalif Barnes to the Raiders, but signed 34 year old Tra Thomas from the Eagles as a stopgap at LT.
RB - Check. I love Pocket Hercules, but he is not an every down back.
DL - Ch......

Wait. I really don't need to go any further. I had every intention of throwing in a few paragraphs of stats from their hugely disappointing 2008 season, observations on the general state of the team's direction, and a recounting of their offseason moves thus far. However, given who is already off the board, I only ask you one thing: Pretend the Jags are our team. Now, look at this:

Current Jacksonville Jaguars roster - Position, WR

Hughes, Nate
Walker, Mike
Williamson, Troy
Woods, D'Juan

This needs an immediate infusion of not only talent, but impact, fear-inducing, talent at the position. It isn't going to come from what is available on the free agent market, and it isn't going to come from the later rounds of the draft. To this point, Crabtree and Maclin are gone. Heyward-Bey is a height-weight-speed guy who really never performed up to his athletic ability at Maryland. Yes, this is a reach, but the run on WR's in this mock is on, and the Jags are desperate.

Curry, Raji, Jason Smith, Andre Smith, Monroe, Crabtree, and Maclin are gone. Stafford isn't an option this year, coaching jobs are on the line.

Harvin is a game breaker. He can take it all the way as a RB, WR, and kick returner. He has question marks concerning his strength and transition to the NFL game. Regardless of any of the legitimate concerns about him, he is versatile, dangerous, and the Jags best option to instantly provide a real threat at the WR position left at the #8 pick. He doesn't have to be the #1 guy immediately, he can line up in the slot or any other position designed to get him the ball quickly, allowing him to use his instincts and proven athleticism to change the game.

In the first seven picks of this mock, three LT's have been chosen. The only other real LT option at #8 is Michael Oher. It is too early for him to go at #8, and he would sit behind newly acquired LT Tra Thomas. HC Jack Del Rio has lost control over personnel and is on the hot seat. He has to spark the offense. The offensive line is stable enough to be serviceable, but QB David Garrard has absolutely no one to pass the ball. The Jags have to take their shot at an offensive game changer now...and so does Del Rio.

Jacksonville can get solid OL players in later rounds, they can get a solid compliment to Maurice Jones-Drew in later rounds, the can bolster the LB, DL, and secondary in later rounds.

Aside from 2007, the Jaguars offense hasn't been relevant since they had Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell at WR; they must fix it. They take the offensive threat they desperately need, and maybe Del Rio is still HC in 2010.

Previous pick: WR Jeremy Maclin

Read more: Scouting Report (Mocking the Draft), 2008 Review (Alligator Army)

Click over for the full schedule and current draft results.

***

No more Matt Jones means the Jags are desperate for a receiving threat. I like the pick.

Pick	Round 1	Selection	Date
1	Detroit Lions - UCrawford	LB Aaron Curry	Weds. March 10th
2	St. Louis Rams - Lanier63	OT Jason Smith	Monday, March 16th
3	Kansas City Chiefs - TonyG88	OT Eugene Monroe	Monday, March 16th
4	Seattle Seahawks - mikvogel	DT B.J. Raji	Tuesday, March 17th
5	Cleveland Browns - HIV2Elway	WR Michael Crabtree	Tuesday, March 17th
6	Cincinnati Bengals - mistamic	OT Andre Smith	Weds., March 18th
7	Oakland Raiders - mushin	WR Jeremy Maclin	Weds., March 18th
8	Jacksonville Jaguars - DThomasReigns	WR Percy Harvin	Thursday, March 19th
9	Green Bay Packers - JasonM		Thursday, March 19th
10	San Francisco 49ers - Harry Feltersnatch		Friday, March 20th
11	Buffalo Bills - ArrowDread		Friday, March 20th
12	Denver Broncos - Keyser Sose		Monday, March 23rd
13	Washington Redskins - Official Arrowhead Pride Parade		Monday, March 23rd
14	New Orleans Saints - cmpotter		Tuesday, March 24th
15	Houston Texans - ChiefsDude		Tuesday, March 24th
16	San Diego Chargers - Helmets		Weds., March 25th
17	New York Jets - NJChief		Weds., March 25th
18	Chicago Bears - Holmeslice		Thursday, March 26th
19	Tampa Bay Buccaneers - madtheory		Thursday, March 26th
20	Detroit Lions (from Dallas) - UCrawford		Friday, March 27th
21	Philadelphia Eagles - Chiefsfan717		Friday, March 27th
22	Minnesota Vikings - kcsno56		Monday, March 30th
23	New England Patriots - connerman		Monday, March 30th
24	Atlanta Falcons - RedNose		Tuesday, March 31st
25	Miami Dolphins - shraggyj		Tuesday, March 31st
26	Baltimore Ravens - Ben S		Weds., April 1st
27	Indianapolis Colts - craig in calgary		Weds., April 1st
28	Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) - Chiefsfan717		Thursday, April 2nd
29	New York Giants - ChiefsFan90s		Thursday, April 2nd
30	Tennessee Titans - Lvl.99		Friday, April 3rd
31	Arizona Cardinals - THE_TRUTH		Friday, April 3rd
32	Pittsburgh Steelers - McWhirt33		Monday, April 6th

Poll

Do you agree with the pick?

Yes

62 votes

No

137 votes

Indifferent

24 votes

223 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I think

they may trade up to #3 for Crabtree.

Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable. Mark Twain

by Chiefho on Mar 19, 2009 7:34 AM CDT reply actions

Possible I suppose

WR seems to be a good pick for them no matter what.

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris Thorman on Mar 19, 2009 7:36 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

They could definitely use the help @ WR. But I think Harvin’s biggest mpat is going to come on Special Teams, he could be a Hester like return man for them or a DeSean Jackson type WR. Good Pick.

When deep space exploration ramps up, it'll be the corporations that name everything, the IBM Stellar Sphere, the Microsoft Galaxy, Planet Starbucks.

I'd be fine with 9-7 or 10-6 and competiting for the divsion title

by madtheory on Mar 19, 2009 7:44 AM CDT up reply actions

*impact

When deep space exploration ramps up, it'll be the corporations that name everything, the IBM Stellar Sphere, the Microsoft Galaxy, Planet Starbucks.

I'd be fine with 9-7 or 10-6 and competiting for the divsion title

by madtheory on Mar 19, 2009 7:45 AM CDT up reply actions

It seems a bit of a reach

But you make a good case for it. I mean, after reading your post, it makes sense even though I hadn’t really thought of it.

by Joel Thorman on Mar 19, 2009 7:43 AM CDT reply actions

This pick is good timing

From what I’ve read, he had an excellent Pro Day yesterday.

And for anyone who thinks he’s too small…

by Joel Thorman on Mar 19, 2009 7:56 AM CDT reply actions

Cant see Del Rio going anywhere but D

Your logic makes sense in a vacuum. But I think your not taking Del Rio’s idea of team into account.

Ever since he’s been with the Jags they’ve been a hit you in the mouth kind of team built on running the ball and great D. Last season they could run, but their D stunk. The loss of Peterson at MLB and the shambles that their D-line is in forces Del Rio to target a defensive player. Orakapo and Johnson are still available. There’s no way they reach that far for Harvin, even if it is a need, when those guys are still avaialble. If they do reach at all it will be for one of the USC LB’s, Cushing or Malulalaulaulalughuallaufhla, to try and replace Peterson.

The Jags haven’t had an impact WR since Jimmy Smith, and you can make an argument that Smith wasn’t even an impact WR. They aren’t going to start now. Just don’t see this one happening.

by mushin on Mar 19, 2009 8:15 AM CDT reply actions

Terrible pick

Last year the Jags thought they were one piece away from going to the SB, so they went all in to move up for a need and selected Harvey. Boy were they burned. A year later with a new GM you can bet they wont be going for a need over BPA.
Harvin has been projected late first round-mid second round in most mocks and we have him going Top 10? Not gonna happen.

However, excellent, in depth write up, well done.

by Lvl.99 on Mar 19, 2009 8:40 AM CDT reply actions

Reaches

happen every year in the draft. Who would have thought Donnie Avery was gonna be the first WR taken last season? I know I sure didn’t. Personally I think Harvin is gonna be a stud, kind of like the Desean Jackson type. I wouldn’t have chose him this early but its your world man. Anyways, thanx for the reach as it sets me up great for the 10th pick :)

I lost my pen. May I borrow yours?

by Harry Feltersnatch on Mar 19, 2009 8:50 AM CDT reply actions

Harvin is

“”http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/columnists/gene_frenette/2009-03-19/story/jags_keep_an_eye_on_harvin" >licking his chops" at the opportunity to play for the Jags.

by Joel Thorman on Mar 19, 2009 9:00 AM CDT reply actions

To quote Mel

“They are not getting value with this pick”. You grade down for this guy.

by FrankPitts on Mar 19, 2009 9:01 AM CDT reply actions

Harvin seems a bit of a stretch

But they do need wideouts badly and you make a good case. I’m wondering if they might take LB Ray Maluaga to replace Mike Peterson or even CB Malcolm Jenkins.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 19, 2009 9:44 AM CDT reply actions

this guy actually

benched more reps then andre smith what a joke andre smith is .This guy could be very dangerous in the right situation and team

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 19, 2009 10:08 AM CDT reply actions

Its a Reach

The Jaguars do need a WR, bad. They could find one in the 2nd-7th Rounds though, or trade down if they want WR Percy Harvin.

by ChiefsFan90s on Mar 19, 2009 10:24 AM CDT reply actions

Awesome Pick

Jacksonville could be straight up deadly on offense if they can get a startig caliber LT in free agency or the second round. Harvin is an amazing player and his versatility is going to make some team very talent rich in April.

Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.

by 808NaNz808 on Mar 19, 2009 10:57 AM CDT reply actions

call me crazy but jacksonville made a mistake

with gerrard he sucks they need to invest in a real qb if i were them i would get a jeff garcia or draft a stafford atleast . gerrard has no arm not out of the pocket skills he rarley makes plays with his feet and he is to safe . he is more of a game manager then a game winner. i lose that guy as soon as possible if they want to win a championship. And they need a play maker on The D side as well.

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 19, 2009 11:34 AM CDT reply actions

Here's somewhat of a blanket response:

I couldn’t get to AP at work today, so I wasn’t able to respond earlier (which is part of the rules of the AP mock draft).

Thank you for your comments. I hope everyone understands that we cannot trade picks in the AP mock.

If this was a real scenario, I would absolutely have the Jags trading out of this pick, but that wasn’t an option.

I had to pick, and I truly struggled with this one with all of the names already taken. The Jags’ other holes can be addressed with later draft picks and the remaining free agents. A versatile and explosive WR could not, in my eyes.

"and peep this ethiopian queen from philly taking classes abroad, she studying film and photo flash focus record"

I don't have religion. I have Baduizm.

by DThomasReigns on Mar 19, 2009 4:29 PM CDT reply actions

and I did admit it was a reach at #8 in my justification. :)

"and peep this ethiopian queen from philly taking classes abroad, she studying film and photo flash focus record"

I don't have religion. I have Baduizm.

by DThomasReigns on Mar 19, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions

by the way dthomasreigns

not hating on your pick i like it just hate the jags for being a bust hahah

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 19, 2009 5:04 PM CDT reply actions

lol. Even if you hate on my pick, it's cool. Their all just opinions and guesses.

I don’t know if you saw it, but I declared myself your new BFF when I saw the professional field you’re in.

Give Alexis Silver and Gianna Michaels my undying lust. :)

"and peep this ethiopian queen from philly taking classes abroad, she studying film and photo flash focus record"

I don't have religion. I have Baduizm.

by DThomasReigns on Mar 19, 2009 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions

*They're

"and peep this ethiopian queen from philly taking classes abroad, she studying film and photo flash focus record"

I don't have religion. I have Baduizm.

by DThomasReigns on Mar 19, 2009 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions

alexis is cool chick really nice

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 19, 2009 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions

I envy you to the point of hate. Alexis is pretty much perfect.

"and peep this ethiopian queen from philly taking classes abroad, she studying film and photo flash focus record"

I don't have religion. I have Baduizm.

by DThomasReigns on Mar 19, 2009 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions

gianna she is cool to a little on the crazy side though

its all about terri summers and sunny leone wow i love working with those girls lets just say they are very giving people hahah

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 19, 2009 5:13 PM CDT reply actions

That's why I like Gianna. You can see it in her perfomance.

"and peep this ethiopian queen from philly taking classes abroad, she studying film and photo flash focus record"

I don't have religion. I have Baduizm.

by DThomasReigns on Mar 19, 2009 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions

oh ya they are really down to earth chicks thats whats good about this biz

its like everyone is just cool about things that people are uptight about to them its just like a hobby or a job like a pro athlete ya know its just another day in the life.

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 19, 2009 5:15 PM CDT reply actions