After the 1st Round: Small School Gems the Jaguars Will Look at in the Draft

Gene Smith as taken heat since he was named general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars for having a love affair with selecting small school players who may have looked good in a work out or scouting combine, but have not panned out as big-time talent in the NFL.

With the "overhaul" at the team's offices at EverBank Stadium, Smith (recently given a three-year contract extension by former owner Wayne Weaver) must make a splash in the draft and again in free agency if this team is going to contend in the AFC South.

There is big name talent to be had in the first round with names like Quinton Coples, Melvin Ingram, Morris Claiborne and Justin Blackmon. Whether those talents will be available is unknown, but Smith and his scouting staff will be looking to add pieces to an unstable puzzle.

In other words, Smith must hit a home run with this draft. And while bigger named talent is what is on everyone's minds, don't be shocked if Smith takes a bigger name from a BCS school and then in the middle rounds, finds what will hopefully be a gem or two from a small school.

These are some players from small schools who have made their presence known in post season workouts or through steady production during the regular season.

Amini Silatolu, Guard, Midwestern State

After the Senior Bowl, people knew about Silatolu. His stock rose, an indication that even the smallest of schools (Midwewestern State is in Texas) produce some of the best talent.

Silatolu is 6'4" and 311 pounds and could see his future at center. Last season, the Jaguars drafted Will Rackley from Lehigh with the idea he would take a year to develop before starting this season. Injuries put an end to that idea and Rackley looked lost at times this past season playing against stronger veterans.

Silatolu can play both right and left guard, but may need a season (like Rackley) to get acclimated to the NFL.

Tyrone Crawford, Defensive End, Boise State

Crawford provides good size at 6'4" and 285 pounds, but his speed is not top-tier.

Still, he was a good pass rusher along with Billy Winn at Boise State, and I think someone like this has a chance to be a Jason Taylor-type player in the NFL.

His size is imposing, and if he improves his technique and pass rush, he could be a steal.

Dwight Bentley, Cornerback, Louisiana-Lafayette

Scouts and football fans may not have known who Dwight Bentley was before the Senior Bowl, but they sure knew about him afterward.

Bentley was a late addition to the Senior Bowl roster and proved to be every bit as good as other players who played in BCS or Division I schools.

He is 5'10" and 185 pounds and surely will aid in the return game for any team who drafts him. He leaves Louisiana with 232 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He has seven career interceptions and 20 pass breakups to his credit in 44 career starts.

Matt McCants, Tackle, UAB

UAB has produced two good first round picks in Roddy White of the Falcons and Bryan Thomas of the Jets.

Matt McCants may not be first round material, but people will know about him once he starts playing in the NFL.

The bottom line is if you are 6'6" and 308 pounds and can move a pile of players, you get noticed.

McCants was part of the reason the Blazers gave up a league low in sacks this season in Conference USA.

Brian Quick, Receiver, Appalachain State

Quick was someone the Jaguars looked at in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. I think he is a second round talent who may slip into the first round if a team like New England takes a fancy to him.

Quick is tall at 6'4"—which this team needs—and thick at 220 pounds, which means he can fight off defenders in the end zone.

If he is available in the second round and the Jaguars have taken a defender with their first round pick, look for his name to be called.