Jacksonville Jaguars: Which 2018 rookie will have biggest impact?
By Larry Brake
After a successful NFL Draft, which rookie will impact the Jacksonville Jaguars the most in the 2018 season?
The Jacksonville Jaguars made some very good draft selections at the NFL Draft last weekend. Head coach Doug Marrone should be ecstatic over the quality depth to be added to the roster. Perhaps the biggest question is coming out of this draft and each one, which rookie will make the most impact?
Jacksonville selected three defensive players, three offensive players and a punter. After the draft, the Jaguars signed at least 13 undrafted free agents. Four were offensive players and nine were defensive players.
Offensively, D.J. Chark adds depth to the receiving corps. His speed will stretch defenses vertically. Chark’s speed and size is an upgrade from Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson. However, he will not have the most impact.
Taven Bryan, their first-round pick, will play but not be the starter. Malik Jackson and Marcel Dareus will be great mentors for Bryan. He will make an impact, but not this season.
Also let’s remember that the undrafted players could make the team and play in spots. Remember, last year, Keelan Cole was an undrafted rookie signee. Cole made solid contributions in the Jaguars passing game, especially after Robinson was injured. Allen Lazard could be this season’s Cole. Chances are that Lazard could become a tight end because of his size. If so, he is a backup player on special teams.
Logan Cooke, the punter, will have the most impact of all the rookies. As a result of his selection, Brad Nortman was released. Nortman punted for two seasons in Jacksonville. Ryan O’Halloran of Jacksonville.com reports on the selection of Cooke:
"After the Cooke selection was made, Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said: “I feel very good about that [pick] …” Cooke could also become the Jaguars’ kickoff specialist. Seventy-four of his 156 kickoffs for the Bulldogs were touch-backs (47.4 percent). Last year, Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo had only 22 touch-backs on 57 kickoff – his percentage of 38.6 was 35th among players who had at least 10 kickoff attempts."
Next: 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Way too early projection for next year
Cooke will give Jacksonville versatility because of him being able to punt and kick off. Perhaps, one day, he will handle the long distance field goals. This is why he makes the most impact.