Jacksonville Jaguars: Depth added through 2018 NFL Draft, post-draft
By Larry Brake
Dave Caldwell is building a Super Bowl contender, adding necessary depth through the 2018 NFL Draft and signing undrafted free agents.
Dave Caldwell had another good draft for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He selected players that add quality depth to the roster. Most of all, Caldwell continued to add quality through the undrafted free agents. In the draft, Caldwell addressed the offense, defense and special teams. Most people were thinking offense in the first round.
Taven Bryan, defensive tackle, was picked instead. Bryan was picked as the interior force against the run. He is able to pressure the quarterback, as well. Expect him to spend 2018 as a backup, but play in the game day rotation.
D.J. Chark will be the deep threat wide receiver. He is a big and fast receiver that stretches the field vertically. In the third round, Caldwell picked a safety. Since the Jaguars secondary is elite, adding Ronnie Harrison makes them deeper. Will Richardson was taken in the fourth round. Richardson will immediately be in competition at the right tackle spot, according to Mark Long of AP/Washington Post.
A quarterback was taken in the sixth round with Tanner Lee. The Nebraska product is described by Caldwell per Mark Long’s article:
"“… and he’s got a high ceiling because of the arm strength at the accuracy and the quick release.”"
Leon Jacobs was selected in the seventh round to fill a void due to the retirement of Paul Posluszny. Punter Logan Cooke was taken in the seventh round, too. There will be an open competition for the punting job.
After the completion of the draft, Caldwell inked six undrafted players. He is upgrading the roster and building quality depth. James Brady of SBNation.com reports the Jaguars signings.
Tony Adams, Richardson’s North Carolina State teammate, signed as a guard. Mike Hughes, UNLV, is a defensive tackle. Darius Jackson, Jacksonville State, is an edge pass rusher. Lyndon Johnson, Cincinnati, is another defensive tackle. Quenton Meeks, Stanford, will add more competition as a back up corner. Allen Lazard, Iowa State, is another big receiver.
Next: NFL Power Rankings 2018: Post-draft edition
Training camp is going to be exciting due to all the new faces. As a result, Jacksonville will be a better team. Hopefully, the Lombardi Trophy is well within the grasp of this talented team.