MVN - Most Valuable Network

Jacksonville addresses pass-rush on first day

In a clear effort to add pass-rushers to the roster, Jacksonville has added two defensive ends who offer the ability to burst around the edge and make plays in the backfield. After packaging a first, two thirds and a fourth to trade up to the eight spot in order to snag Florida DE Derrick Harvey, the Jaguars also traded up in the second round with the Bucs to select another defensive end, Quentin Groves.

I liked Groves more than a lot of others did and feel he can be a great situational pass rusher. The Auburn player is a little undersized at 250 lbs, but he has terrific speed and should be able to come in and be a playmaker immediately. In the second round, he is a great pickup.

The Jaguars also liked Groves enough to trade up several slots for him and there was a chance that they were concerned that Miami or Pittsburgh could have selected him. It seems that a lot of fans aren’t planned with Jacksonville’s draft and I’m not sure if I feel the same way. I’ll have to sleep on it, but I think taking both these players will certainly upgrade Jacksonville’s biggest weakness….the pass rush.

Baring any trades, this should wrap up Jacksonville’s first day of the draft. Overall, I am a little disappointed that they attain an experienced end, but they added two young players who should stabilize the position for years to come. In my opinion, it’s a good first day for the Jags.

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 26th, 2008 at 5:20 pm and is filed under Jaguars' Journal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.