Jacksonville Jaguars Mock Draft: Updated Day 2 Predictions
Well, the hype of the first round is now wearing off. As the dust is settling, the Jacksonville Jaguars can be happy with their selection of Dante Fowler Jr. As good as the pick is, there are still six rounds to go.
The Jaguars' selection of Fowler fills the most apparent need for a "Leo" pass-rusher and takes care of a concern for the rest of the draft. (Read more about Fowler in my instant pick breakdown.) Fowler doesn't offer much more than the "Leo" position, but he was drafted to rush the passer and that's what we should expect of him.
However, the Jaguars still have other needs to address before the draft is over:
- Wide receiver
- Running back
- Outside linebacker
- Offensive guard
- Safety
- Defensive tackle
The Jaguars seem to have an equal need for offensive and defensive help, and the order in which they'll address them is unsure. It will depend on the depth of the position and their value of the need.
The Jaguars started well with Fowler, but it'll be interesting if they wait to address the defense again until the later rounds. The more apparent needs seem to be at wide receiver and running back, but they could surprise me by selecting a linebacker or safety.
No matter what the Jaguars do, they're off to a good start. General manager Dave Caldwell has shown that he knows exactly what he's doing with each pick, and he has a detailed plan for the rest of this draft.
With the intro out of the way, let's look at my updated predictions for the Jaguars after the first round.
Round 2
1 of 6
36. Dorial Green-Beckham, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
My initial selection here of Nelson Agholor from USC was spoiled due to his selection from the Philadelphia Eagles at 20th overall, so instead I'll go with Dorial Green-Beckham. Many see Green-Beckham only for his past, but he's a top-15 talent and is getting better as a person and a player.
First and foremost, Green-Beckham is a freak athlete. At 6'5", 237 pounds and with a 4.49 40-yard dash, Green-Beckham is arguably the most athletic receiver available and has all the physical necessities—and then some.
Green-Beckham has a lot of technical ability as well. He's a smooth route-runner, although there is room for improvement, and his hands are sticky and consistent. Green-Beckham has some kinks to work out with his route running, but other than that he has the ability right now to be a top guy.
Green-Beckham's release from Missouri and troubling actions off the field are red flags you can't ignore, but he's worked to get past that. He announced he was going into counseling when he left Missouri, and while he didn't play in the 2014 season, he's been practicing and training as hard as anyone.
Green-Beckham is a risk, but his year away from football and his continued work on his game and on his character is really helping him. He's got unlimited potential and has the ability right now to be a top receiver for the Jaguars.
Round 3
2 of 6
67. David Johnson, Running Back, Northern Iowa
I selected David Johnson as my third-round pick in my previous mock, and I have to go with him again. While the Jaguars may be tempted to select a back in the second round, they'd most likely have to reach, and they can get a much better value in Northern Iowa's David Johnson.
Johnson was the driving force of Northern Iowa's offense for the majority of his career, and he totaled 4,682 yards and 49 touchdowns in his four-year career. Johnson was a leader and was willing to carry the team when needed, and he can offer the Jaguars the same assistance.
Johnson's most impressive asset is his speed. For a back who is 6'1" and 224 pounds, Johnson has very good speed. He ran a 4.50 40-yard dash at the combine and has good on-the-field quickness when he gets enough space.
Johnson isn't the most complete back, but his inept blocking and movements in tight spaces can be improved as he continues to mature with the Jaguars. He is very good at getting open out of the backfield, however, and could be a vital asset for quarterback Blake Bortles.
Johnson would be a smart value pick in the third round. He could compete with Denard Robinson and Toby Gerhart for the starting job, and can improve a lot in his overall tasks as a running back as he develops and trains in the NFL.
Round 4
3 of 6
103. Mike Hull, Outside Linebacker, Penn State
I've got that the Jaguars will get back to the defense on Day 3 with the selection of Mike Hull. Hull had a great career at Penn State and performed exceptionally well at the combine, and the combination of both experience and skill will lead the Jaguars to take him in the fourth round.
The 2014 Big 10 Linebacker of the Year, Hull has been a consistent force for the Nittany Lions for four years. After being redshirted in his first year, Hull appeared in every game for the Nittany Lions but 10 in his four years at Happy Valley.
Hull has the tenacity and determination you expect from a graduate of "Linebacker U," and he has great leadership skills and vision. Hull never seems to give up on a play, but he also plays with intelligence rather than just straight aggression.
However, Hull is marginally undersized at 6'0" and 237 pounds. The Jaguars' best way to get around that is to play him on the outside, which many think Hull will do no matter what team he joins. That means he'll need some time to get adjusted, which is to be expected.
The Jaguars are getting to the point of the draft where each pick needs to be able to impact the team in any way he can. Hull will play and train with the determination you look for, and will be happy to assist the Jaguars as a backup and a special teams player.
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Round 5
4 of 6
139. Jeremiah Poutasi, Offensive Guard, Utah
I stated in my last mock draft that I wanted Poutasi and I'm going to stick with him here. Poutasi should be a really solid value in the fifth round, and he'll become Zane Beadles' backup and possibly his eventual successor.
Poutasi had a solid career at Utah with 35 career starts, playing right tackle early on and then switching to left tackle after his first year. Poutasi was an anchor for the Utes, and while not necessarily a leader he was a reliable blocker from game to game.
In the last mock, I mentioned that Poutasi isn't a terrific athlete and how he and the Jaguars can get around that by switching him to guard. Poutasi isn't quick enough nor does he have the natural athleticism to compete with edge-rushers in the NFL.
However, switching him to guard could allow him to use his 6'5", 335-pound frame a bit better. Typically making that kind of switch is what deters teams from picking a player, but the Jaguars are in a place to take him.
With three guards on the roster, Poutasi or another guard is an absolute need. The Jaguars can have him train as a backup for a year or two and learn the ins and outs. By the end of it, hopefully Poutasi will come out with the necessary changes to be a good backup/potential starter.
Round 6
5 of 6
180. Jordan Richards, Safety, Stanford
I'm continuing to stick with the position that the Jaguars need a strong safety before a free safety. Johnathan Cyprien did not impress last season, and the depth at the position is not talented enough to succeed. Jordan Richards can fix that.
Richards is a strong safety who can play against the run a lot better than much of his competition, but he also offers big plays in pass coverage. In each of his three seasons at Stanford, he had three interceptions.
Richards does excel at the run, partly evidenced by his 138 solo tackles in his three years. Richards has fantastic vision and is strong-willed and fierce when defending the run. He needs work in his coverage ability, but his mentality and run defending aren't a bad starting point.
In reality, Richards' ceiling is probably as a backup, and that's fine. He'd be a reliable option for the Jaguars in run situations and could improve in coverage skills as well. He's not perfect, but for a sixth-round pick the Jaguars could get a lot out of Richards.
Round 7
6 of 6
220. Kaleb Eulls, Defensive Tackle, Mississippi State
With the final pick of the mock draft, I see the Jaguars taking a defensive tackle in Kaleb Eulls. Eulls was a career player for the Bulldogs, and while he can't necessarily offer the same impact for the Jaguars, he'd be a very valuable backup.
Eulls started every game available for all four years of his college career, which is impressive in itself. He developed into a key player for the Bulldogs in the difficult SEC West, and his experience and level of competition will be a big help in his transition to the NFL.
Eulls is often praised for putting his best foot forward every single play, and never takes plays off. He's got a decent motor and above-average balance, and can be a force to be reckoned with if he can get the first step on a blocker.
Eulls is a guy with a lot of good characteristics, especially for the run, but he's at best a situational guy. However, training under Sen'Derrick Marks, Jared Odrick and Roy Miller could teach him a lot, and in a year or two I can see him making plays on occasion for the Jaguars.
All stats were provided by ESPN.com unless otherwise stated.
Evan Reier is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report covering the Jacksonville Jaguars. Follow Evan on Twitter at @evanreier.
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