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With the NFL Draft now in the rearview mirror we take the Jacksonville Jaguars "Off The Clock" with pick-by-pick analysis, the Bible's take and our grade.
 (1-8) Eugene Monroe, OT (Virginia): The number one rated offensive tackle according to the NFL Draft Bible, Monroe serves as an excellent addition to the Jaguars’ offensive line unit and is a huge upgrade. Quarterback David Garrard had little time when dropping back to pass last season, and this should help alleviate that problem. Also, with Maurice Jones-Drew taking the reins as the featured back and Fred Taylor no longer on the roster, obtaining help on the O-line was vital. The Jags got a player they never thought would be there at No. 8.
(2-39) Eben Britton, OT (Arizona): Some serious firepower has been added on the Jags’ offensive line. Pair Britton, who many thought might be a first-round pick, with Monroe and you have a major upgrade. What does it mean? Most likely, career years for both quarterback David Garrard and running back Maurice-Jones Drew. Jacksonville may have found their bookend tackles for years to come.
(3-72) Terrance Knighton, DT (Temple): We didn't love this pick of Knighton, even though he does have decent size, speed, and athleticism. There appeared to be better players on the board who could have filled more pressing needs, as well as better players on the board at this position. Why not Corvey Irvin (Georgia) or Roy Miller (Texas)?
(3-73) Derek Cox, CB (William & Mary): This was a reach, folks! Not at the Michael Mitchell level, but Cox should not have been drafted at this spot. Not only were there better players and better corners available, but there were at least two better small school corners still in the board. Cox has some upside, but is a project and it was too early for that. He was drafted off his Pro Day performance more than anything else. (Pick From Green Bay via New England)
(4-107) Mike Thomas, WR (Arizona): Thomas was a nice upside wide receiver pick who could step in and contribute sooner rather than later. He runs great routes, has good body control and ball skills, and he could become a nice slot receiver. There are some minuses as he is prone to lapses in concentration and therefore dropped balls, but he’s a hard worker who will learn from Torry Holt and help out on special teams right away.
 (5-144) Jarrett Dillard, WR (Rice): The Jags continued to pull in potential wide receivers with Dillard, another athletic player who isn’t the fastest or most vertical wideout but has good ball skills. Like Thomas, he was also quite productive in college but unlike the Arizona receiver, he is not a special teams player so his impact this season could be limited. He has a tremendous vertical leap and was a great value in the fifth round, but isn’t he a slot receiver just like Thomas?
(6-180) Zach Miller, TE (Nebraska-Omaha): The one-time quarterback turned tight end really gathered momentum after a great Pro Day where he virtually ran out of his shoes on his 40. Beyond the speed, he can run solid routes and looks smooth running downfield. He’s a project who still has a ways to go before he will be really effective.
(7-250) Rashad Jennings, RB (Liberty): A surprising drop in many ways, Jennings is a big, hard running back who excels in short-yardage situations. Maybe it was the fact that he doesn’t make people miss or that he has some ball security issues. He could pair up very well with Maurice Jones-Drew and could be a steal this late in the Draft. (Compensatory Pick)
(7-253) Tiquan Underwood, WR (Rutgers): Underwood is incredibly fast and really knows how to stretch the field. He’s also pretty thin, not very strong, with small hands and some durability issues. Underwood can block—and is willing to do so despite his frame—and can play special teams. That’s probably where he will work for some time. (Compensatory Pick)
Team Needs: WR, OG, OT, DT, CB, S
Needs Filled: Three of six
Bible’s Take: The Jags had an outstanding draft for several positions, most notably the offensive line with the picks of Britton and Monroe. While they didn’t quite do enough on the defensive side of the ball, the pickups of Thomas, Dillard, and Jennings could be considered day-two steals and even a prospect like Miller has some very good upside. There is more work to do, but they nailed down their biggest need in the offensive line and that should make a tremendous difference for the coming season. They would have garnered a higher grade had they done more with their third-round picks.
Grade: B+
Photo Credit: College Press Box (Rice, Virginia)
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