Jaguars' 2015 Draft: Aggregating Report Card Grades from Around the Web
As much fun as it is to get excited about the Jacksonville Jaguars' promising draft, that doesn't necessarily mean everyone thought it was great. Typically, there are a wide array of reactions to a draft, but the Jaguars may be different this year.
The Jaguars had well-received drafts the past two years under general manager Dave Caldwell, and he kept his hot streak alive in 2015. All the major draft analysis posting a grade for the Jaguars said that they passed with flying colors.
It's a great feeling to know that the Jaguars are getting back on track and are developing a long-term plan in Duval County. This draft and each of the drafts from the past couple of years has been promising, and one can only hope that they work out.
This slideshow is a culmination of some of the grades and quotes from some of the top draft analysts around the web. ESPN's Todd McShay and Mel Kiper are not on this list, however, because they require an "Insider" paid subscription and aren't anywhere else on the web (at the moment).
Draft grades are obviously never certain, and sometimes the most promising of draft classes can fall flat on their face. However, the fact that for three straight years, Caldwell and the Jaguars have been praised for their classes means the team is heading in the right direction.
We won't know for sure until the season starts, and it's probably best to wait until the end of a season or two before making a final verdict. But the Jaguars are initially impressing everyone, and you can't feel bad about that.
With the intro out of the way, let's look at some of the various draft grades from around the web.
CBSSports.com's Rob Rang
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Rob Rang of CBSSports.com is first on our list, and he definitely was impressed by the Jaguars' selections. Like most of the analysts, Rang really liked the Jaguars' selections in the middle rounds and couldn't fault them for taking Dante Fowler Jr. at third:
"It is, of course, easier to draft difference-makers when annually selecting early, but on paper at least, the Jaguars appear to be one of the real winners of the 2015 draft.
After the Jaguars invested in picks on the offensive side of the line of scrimmage the past five years, the team finally gave defensive-minded head coach Gus Bradley his dynamic edge rusher with local star Dante Fowler, Jr.
Explosive, versatile and passionate, Fowler will prove a star in this scheme and looks like an easy contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Running back T.J. Yeldon and interior lineman A.J. Cann are plug-and-play starters and safety James Sample could surprise, as well. If defensive tackle Michael Bennett dedicates himself, he could prove a Day Three steal.
Grade: A-minus
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I don't necessarily think the Jaguars have ignored head coach Gus Bradley's defense as much as this implies, but for the most part, I completely agree with Rang. The Jaguars did get their dynamic rusher and picked up some great talent in the middle rounds.
The comment on Bennett about "dedicating himself" is up for debate. One of Bennett's known faults is not being able to play every down, and while that could be interpreted as a lack of dedication, I think it's just the type of athlete he is.
Overall, Rang hits the nail on the head with his review. His point about drafting early is a fair one, but the Jaguars remain in the upper half of draft performances. I'm also excited about Yeldon and Cann, and I hope he's right that they're "plug-and-play starters."
Jacksonville.com's Hays Carlson
2 of 6Next, we'll look at Hays Carlson of the Florida Times-Union's analysis of the Jaguars draft. Carlson isn't quite as sold on all the draft picks like Rang was, but overall, I'd say he was also impressed by their selections:
"JAGUARS B+
The Jaguars will regret taking Dante Fowler over Williams and Cooper in the next few years and likely could've landed Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon later than the 36th pick. However, no team drafted better in Rounds 3-7 than the Jaguars.If you looked at the class as a whole on Wednesday without knowing the rounds, you would have thought the Jaguars traded back in the first round and picked up an extra second and third based on the talent acquired.
The strong depth added in Florida State receiver Rashad Greene (fifth round) and Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Bennett (sixth round) sets this class apart from most in the league.
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To address the Fowler comment, that's a point of preference. Carlson believes the Jaguars should've gone with a player more talented than Fowler, but the Jaguars went with their most confident fit for the "Leo" position, and you can't blame them for that.
I agree that Yeldon was a small reach, but the Jaguars have made it a point as of late to stay home and choose their guy. I completely agree with the comments about the Jaguars' middle-round picks as well.
After looking back at projections of players such as Greene and Bennett, Carlson is right. The Jaguars picked up expected third- or fourth-round talent for a great price, and that could make a big impact in the coming years for the Jaguars.
Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke
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Now we'll look at Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke, who is bigger on this Jaguars draft than anyone we've seen so far. Burke believes the Jaguars draft overall was solid, but the best parts were Greene in the fifth and Bennett in the sixth:
"Jacksonville Jaguars: A
The Jaguars are coming. Maybe not in 2015, maybe not in 2016, but soon. This draft without question kept this franchise's positive momentum, from a talent standpoint, rolling in the right direction. Jacksonville made one solid decision after another, right through Notre Dame tight end Ben Koyack in round 7.
Opinions varied on this class's top pass-rusher, but Dante Fowler was at or near the top of the list, and Gus Bradley can turn him into a star. Running back T.J. Yeldon and guard A.J. Cann should be starters by Week 1, as well.
But the real gems here came in rounds 5 and 6, respectively: Florida State wide receiver Rashad Greene, a sharp route-runner and productive performer; and penetrating three-tech tackle Michael Bennett, a remarkable value at pick No. 180.—CB
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Burke believes that Caldwell and Bradley have this team on the right track, and from what I can tell, he's right. The team is being built, and while it may be hard to wait until 2017, the Jaguars are making progress all the same.
I don't necessarily think Koyack was the best pick there, but he was a great value, no doubt about it. He has faith in Fowler with Bradley's assistance and thinks that both Yeldon and Cann will be Week 1 starters. I'm not as sure on Cann as much as I like him, but I can see why he'd say Cann will get the job.
It's incredible to the point of confusion how good the selections of Greene and Bennett look right now. Both guys were considered third-round talents, possibly even a second-round selection for Bennett, but they've slipped to the Jaguars instead.
There are no guarantees in the draft, but the selections of Bennett and Greene were a great value, no matter how they end up performing.
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Bryan Fischer of NFL.com
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The fourth grade on this list is from Bryan Fischer of NFL.com. In Fischer's piece, he addresses all of the AFC South and gave each team grades. The Jaguars got the highest grade in the AFC South and the highest grade possible from Fischer:
"Overall grade: A+
Team need? Check. Great player? Check. With the No. 3 overall pick, the Jaguars got a prolific edge rusher who can boost their defense and help chase down division rival Andrew Luck for years to come.You could argue the Jags should have taken Leonard Williams or that a trade down would have been a better move, but Fowler can have an impact early on for a team in need of playmakers.
Taking Yeldon with the No. 36 pick was a bit of a reach, but he was a fast-rising prospect and is a complete back who is a great fit for a young Jacksonville offense. Cann should immediately fill a need protecting Bortles and opening holes for Yeldon on the interior of the line.
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Fischer was mostly impressed by the Jaguars' first-round selection of Fowler and the later-round selections as well. I agree with Fischer that Fowler was the best fit, and while I'm not quite as sure as Fischer that Fowler will be making an impact Week 1, I agree that it was the best pick.
Like Carlson, Fischer saw the selection of Yeldon as a reach, and I agree. But, as mentioned, the Jaguars played it smart by not trading out. Yeldon is a great fit for the Jaguars, but I think he's the most complete NFL back overall, not just a good fit.
I'm also not as sold on Cann's pass blocking as Fischer is, but he will suffice in that regard. Fischer believes the Jaguars are a winner of this year's draft, and I have to agree. Another impressive draft is in the books, and the Jaguars receive some validation from Fischer here.
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com
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The final analysis and grade of the slideshow goes to CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco. I don't always agree with Prisco's opinions, but he thinks the Jaguars made a lot of strong selections this year, and his points are valid:
"Best Pick: I think third-round guard/center A.J. Cann has a chance to develop into a Pro Bowl player. He is tough and strong and powerful.
Questionable move: Fourth-round safety James Sample is a box safety and they have that in Jonathan Cyprien. Why not a free safety?
Third-day gem: Fifth-round receiver Rashad Greene will step in and help as the punt returner and slot receiver. He was a productive college player.
Analysis: General manager Dave Caldwell did a nice job for the second consecutive year. His draft board is loaded with talent. This team is moving in the right direction and this draft will go a long way in helping that happen. First-round pick Dante Fowler is a beast.
Grade: A
"
Besides Bennett and Greene, Cann seems to be a favorite selection by most analysts. I think Cann can be very good as well, maybe even Pro Bowl-level as Prisco mentions, but he's got a lot of work to do before he gets there.
Sample is indeed closer to a box safety than anything else, but Prisco doesn't realize or know that the Jaguars will use him as a free safety. I like Sample a lot, especially his ball skills, and I think he can make the move to free safety fairly quickly.
Prisco was impressed with the draft as a whole, especially Greene, Fowler and Cann. I agree with most of his analysis, but his lack of information about Sample shows, and I'm not completely sure Cann can meet his predictions.
Final Grades
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| Media Outlet | Grade |
| Rob Rang (CBSSports.com) | A- |
| Hays Carlson (Florida Times-Union) | B+ |
| Chris Burke (Sports Illustrated) | A |
| Bryan Fischer (NFL.com) | A+ |
| Pete Prisco (CBSSports.com) | A |
| Evan Reier (Bleacher Report) | A- |
A first look at the table shows that there is a general consensus that the Jaguars had a top-notch draft this year. I don't necessarily like it as much as Burke, Fischer or Prisco, but I can't say that I'm not completely satisfied with this draft.
The Jaguars addressed nearly all of their most important needs, and as many of the analysts mentioned, they took a big step forward in this year's draft. Burke said it may not be until 2017, when the team sees significant progress, but the pace the Jaguars are making as an organization makes me think it could be a year sooner.
The results will come for the Jaguars. It's not hard to debate against them considering the Bradley era is 7-25 overall, but anyone who looks past their record notices something is changing in Duval County.
Patience is now the key for the Jaguars and their organization. They've set a standard for themselves with the past three drafts, and I think they'll make progress with that in mind. There's no telling exactly how the Jaguars will do in the future, but the future is bright.
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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