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A.J. Cann plucked away by Jacksonville Jaguars

By Kevin Parvizi

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The Jacksonville Jaguars have done everything possible to build a top supporting cast for quarterback Blake Bortles, who was the No. 3 overall pick last year, and though they wisely spent the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft on a pass rusher, their Day 2 picks in the 2015 NFL Draft have been on the offensive side of the ball.

After adding feature back T.J. Yeldon to fill one of their biggest positions of need, the Jaguars have selected South Carolina guard A.J. Cann with the No. 67 overall pick in the draft. Cann, who could have easily went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (traded up with the Indianapolis Colts) or the New England Patriots at the tail end of the second round, is a steal in terms of draft value, but it’s hard to see how Cann fits the Jaguars line.

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There’s no doubt that the Jags line is filled with holes, but those holes are at center and offensive tackle. Weirdly enough, the Jaguars have two excellent guards despite their massive issues at center and tackle, because Zane Beadles and Brandon Linder were two of the better players at the position last season. Beadles looked like overpay at the time they signed him last offseason, but he was a great pass protector. Meanwhile, Linder has been a solid pass blocker and an absolutely nasty run blocker as the sleeper pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Even though Cann is stepping into a Jaguars team that has two locked-in starters at guard, I actually don’t mind this pick. Cann is an exceptional value at 67, as I thought he was a lock to be selected in the second round. This is a guy who can step in and be a nasty run blocker for Yeldon, who deserved to be the first running back taken on the second day after Todd Gurley  and Melvin Gordon were unsurprising top 20 picks on Day 1.

Cann did a great job of paving the way for Mike Davis and the Gamecocks last season, and while he isn’t close to being the finished product as a pass blocker, his run blocking alone makes him a very interesting pick. Since the Jaguars have a big hole at center, I could see the Jacksonville Jaguars kicking somebody inside so that they are able to play all three of Beadles, Linder, and Cann at the same time.

That’s total speculation on my part, and I don’t mind the fact that the Jags went best available at the beginning of round three. Tackle was easily their biggest need, but A.J. Cann was the best OL available and can really boost their running game, which was already given a massive upgrade in Yeldon.

While Cann isn’t a “Can’t Miss” prospect, I’d give this pick solid marks on the strength of his ability and relative lack of bust potential. Guards are usually safe, and I wonder if we’ll start to see a run on guards here in the third round after most of the tackles have been selected (though T.J. Clemmings still remains with his injury concerns).

Next: Second Round Grades and Analysis

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