How Bad Was the Jacksonville Jaguars 2012 Draft?

How bad was Jacksonville’s draft really?  The short answer to this question is very simply stated as very bad. 

I know Jaguar fans will argue they got the best receiver in the draft in one Justin Blackmon out of Oklahoma State, however the 2012 draft was filled with “B” receivers and Blackmon was no exception. 

Blackmon is, by NFL standards, an averaged size receiver; being only 6'0" and barely over 200 pounds.  In comparison the two best receivers in the NFL are the Lions’ Calvin Johnson, who is 6’5" 236 pounds, and Andre Johnson of the Texans, who is 6’3" and 226 pounds.  Why is this important?  It is important because the NFL is a much more physical league than what Blackmon was accustomed to playing in during his time in the Big 12.  He will not offer a big target in the red zone for Blaine Gabbert to throw fades or jump balls down the field.  Couple Blackmon’s physical limitations with the fact that Jacksonville traded up to get him, meaning they gave away a fourth round pick to Tampa, and you can’t help but to scratch your head.

Blackmon’s numbers during his 2011 campaign at Oklahoma State were impressive, but let’s not forget his 57 yards receiving against an inferior Tulsa team and 74 yards against Texas.  In fact Blackmon only averaged 12.6 yards a catch for the Cowboys in 2011.  Not exactly earth shattering numbers for a guy who was considered by many to be the best in the country. 

The competition now only gets tougher for the former Oklahoma State star lining up against NFL corners.

In Round 2 the Jags selected Clemson defensive end Andre Branch.  Branch finished his 2011 season with 10.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for a loss.  While most experts are in agreement that Branch is going to be an excellent pass-rusher there are some serious questions about his ability to stop the run.  This begs the question if Branch was worth the overall 38^th pick. 

Round 3 only proved to be more of a head scratcher for the Jaguars as they took University of California Punter Bryan Anger.  That’s right…a punter in the third round with the 70^th pick.  Jacksonville’s needs were glaring in almost every position on the field with the exception of running back, and yet the Jags drafted a punter.  While I don’t disagree with drafting punters, I do disagree with drafting one in the third round.  Especially, when you are attempting to rebuild your organization and there are so many needs that your team has.  That was just flat out a bad pick.

Then Round 4 rolled around and the Jaguars were forced to sit on their hands due to the fact they had given that pick away for Blackmon.  Instead they watched quality players come off the board such as quarterback Kirk Cousins, center Philip Blake and tight end Orson Charles.

Jacksonville decided to go defense in the fifth round selecting outside linebacker Brandon Marshall from Nevada.  Not to be confused with wide receiver Brandon Marshall…there really shouldn’t be any confusion between the two as the linebacker Brandon Marshall was not even ranked in the top 25 outside linebackers by any team anywhere.  Yet, the Jags took undersized Marshall with the 142^nd pick.  Marshall ran the 40 yard dash in 4.63 and is 6’1" 242 pounds.  Not exactly a ton of size or athletic ability.  Marshall was also rated a 55 out of 100 as far as skill level heading into the draft.

In Round 6 Jacksonville stuck with defense and elected to draft a corner back who ran the 40 in 4.68.  Let me repeat that….a corner who ran the 40 yard dash in 4.68 seconds.  That corner was Mike Harris out of Florida State.  My question is what NFL receiver can he cover?  The answer is none!....not with 4.68 speed.  I sincerely doubt if Harris even makes the team during camp.  Yet, another wasted pick by the Jaguars. 

Round seven saw the Jaguars draft an unknown defensive tackle out of Ashland in Jeris Pendleton.  Pendleton came into the draft completely unranked or unscouted…well except by the Jags.  Yet, another player who is unlikely to make their active roster…that adds up three wasted picks in six picks. 

In summary the Jaguars drafted three guys that are going to contribute to the 2012 season.  All together a “B” receiver, a pass rush specialist only, a punter, an undersized linebacker, a slow corner, and a defensive tackle that no one has ever heard of.  It doesn’t seem to me that Jacksonville is “all in” for 2012.