9 Players from the 2011 NFL Draft Who Could Have Helped the Jaguars

Hindsight is such a wonderful thing, especially in the world of sports.

As writers and pundits and fans, we can look back and second guess anything or make it look like the greatest thing on earth.

This is especially true with the NFL Draft. And in the case of the Jacksonville Jaguars, fans and writers alike, can pick apart a draft, say who "should have" been selected and complain when their favorite athletes are bypassed for lesser talent.

And if the team, such as the Jaguars, take a major tumble in their record over last season, and rookies that were bypassed have superior seasons, then the debate begins.

The Jaguars had a draft based on "potential" which is possibly the worst word in the sports dictionary. If they had remained at the 16th selection and not traded up for "adequate" rookie Blaine Gabbert, things could have been different.

There are draft choices taken behind the Jaguars who have made significant contributions to their ball clubs. This is a look at some players who could have had an impact on this team this year.

9. Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers

Cobb would have done a few things for this team.

He would have provided speed on the outside as a deep threat in the passing game.

He would have improved the return game.

He would have made Cecil Shorts expendable.

Cobb has a pretty good future ahead of him in with the Packers.

8. Jonathan Baldwin, Kansas City Chiefs

You have seen the Jaguars' receivers, right?

Baldwin would be the best of the bunch coming in from the draft.

Big and strong, he could be the Jimmy Smith they have been lacking for years.

Although he is a little rough around the edges, Baldwin would give Blaine Gabbert a scoring threat every time he touched the ball.

7. T.J. Yates, Houston Texans

This is not fair to compare the two.

But Yates is a fifth round draft pick out of North Carolina. Blaine Gabbert is the 10th overall selection out of Missouri.

Gabbert has played in more games. Yates seems to have a better grasp of the offense in Houston.

Yates and the Texans are going to the playoffs.

Gabbert is staying home for the holidays.

6. Prince Amukamara, New York Giants

He lasted until the 19th selection in the draft, and although he was injured early in his rookie career, he could have been a shot in the arm for the Jaguars in their secondary and their return game.

Amukamara will bolster the Giants defensive backfield for the next decade.

5. J.J. Watt, Houston Texans

Watt has been a part of the resurgence of the Texans defense.

He could have done the same thing in Jacksonville.

Watt would help the defensive tackles, Terrance Knighton and Tyson Alualu with the rush defense and may have allowed the Jaguars to look elsewhere than Matt Roth, who was signed to a one-year contract.

4. Adrian Clayborn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Right down I-4 is the future at defensive end.

Adrian Clayborn was a steal by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Clayborn has made his presence known early as a defensive wonder for the lowly Buccaneers.

He has proven to be one of the cornerstones this team will build on in the future.

3. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

Dalton has proven that a rookie quarterback can lead a team toward the postseason.

Whether or not Dalton gets there this season remains to be seen.

Dalton is a strong-armed kid who I thought the Jaguars would select in the second round. Obviously, I was wrong.

He has a good sense of leadership for a first-year player and if he played in Jacksonville the same way he plays in Cincinnati, then the future would be very bright right about now.

2. Ryan Kerrigan, Washington Redskins

The defensive end who was slated to be selected by the Jaguars with the 16th selection was selected in that spot by Washington instead and is having a pretty good season.

Would Kerrigan being selected by the Jaguars been a benefit? Any time you can get a pass rusher to add to your already growing defense, that is a good thing.

Also, teamed with Matt Roth and Jeremy Mincey, he may have made Aaron Kampman expendable in the preseason.

1. Christian Ponder, Minnesota

Had the Jaguars stayed with the 16th selection, would Ponder have been there or would they have had to trade up to get him?

Ponder looks the part in Minnesota and will be a fixture in the Vikings' offense for the next decade.

In Jacksonville, Ponder would have immediately given the fanbase a local link with his ties to FSU and may have been able to sell some tickets.

Would he have started from day one? Probably not. But he may have looked better than Blaine Gabbert coming in.