2012 Free Agency: Wide Receiver Must Still Be the Priority of the Jaguars Draft

Don't let Jaguars general manager Gene Smith's most recent comments in the Florida Times-Union fool you.

They are still in need of a wide receiver in free agency and most definitely in the draft.

Smith said he is "prepared to look to the draft for a defensive end," adding that the Jaguars may look to sign more free agents after the draft has concluded.

Right now, they have signed three new players to the team's roster: wide receiver Laurent Robinson, quarterback Chad Henne and defensive back Aaron Ross.

Jacksonville also re-signed its own major free agents: defensive end Jeremy Mincey, defensive backs Rashean Mathis and Dwight Lowery, and franchised kicker Josh Scobee.

It is also reported in the Times-Union article that the team is still negotiating with former Ravens wide receiver Lee Evans, who was in town last week for a visit.

While it would seem the team may be content to sit back and watch the draft and the remainder of free agency unfold, there could be a few more moves by the team leading up to and during the draft.

Could a trade be in order? Smith elided to this in another Times-Union piece a few weeks ago, but for now, Jacksonville still owns the seventh pick in the draft and could hear offers from teams who would either need a tackle, defensive help or are interested in quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

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“We would entertain that (trading down). As a scout, you’re kind of selfish with draft picks (wanting more). That would be a strong consideration. You’ve got to have a trade partner. We’ll be working on some things well in advance. That’s the one thing a lot of people don’t understand. It doesn’t just happen on draft day. There’s been a lot of discussion with teams. You have a pretty good idea so when you get on the clock, it would be rare you haven’t had discussions about the possibility with another team,’’ he said.

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Seattle signed Matt Flynn to a contract. San Francisco re-signed Alex Smith. Washington will either draft Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin, III. Miami and Cleveland may still be in the market for quarterbacks.

Tannehill's name keeps coming up as the third best on the draft board. Miami did sign David Garrard to compete for the starting job.

So a lot is still in play for the Jaguars. And with their pick, hopefully Justin Blackmon, the uber-talented receiver from Oklahoma State, will be on the board.

But if not, does the team gamble at that pick with Michael Floyd of Notre Dame or Kendall Wright of Baylor? Or do they trade down to the middle of the round?

Does someone like Quinton Coples, a defensive end from North Carolina, or Melvin Ingram of South Carolina make sense?

But there other areas of the team that could have issues when the team goes to camp for preseason.

Does the offensive line receive some help? Eben Britton, the team's right tackle was hurt much of last season. Guy Whimper was re-signed but he looked average at times. Can Britton sustain a 16-game schedule without pain?

What if Riley Reiff, a huge tackle, is still available and can play on the right side?

Does Aaron Kampman fit in the defensive rotation? Can the Jaguars get anything out of him next season? If so, his $8 million cap figure is worth it to the team.

All of these questions remain unanswered, but the Jaguars must address more issues with the receiving corp before it can address any other need position.