THE ALL-ATHLETIC DRAFT: Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Recap 

This draft is going to go down in jags history as one of the best

Hi Jackson, long time/first time. I think your analysis of Jags draft philosophy under Baalke is accurate and fair. I would add that I think the Maason Smith PFF grades deserve more context than you provided: early in '22, he tore his ACL/meniscus and was not playing at 100% in '23. It's not uncommon for athletes to take a full year to recover from this type of injury before returning to full form. Still a raw prospect, but his freshman year, pre-injury tape has a lot more pop to it.

The thing with the LSU defensive tackles, Matt House the Jaguars new LB coach, was the DC for LSU last year. He and Brian Kelly new hire for DL coach and subsequently fire after one season, Jimmy Lindsey, had serious disagreements on the playing positions and development of the defensive tackles. Mind you before Lindsey came, House turned LSU defense to respectable in 2022 after a bad 2021 season. Think Matt House advocated highly for those two guys and believe Neilson and Jeremy Garret, new Jaguars DL coach, can develop and teach the LSU DTs better than Lindsey who he viewed as a bad hire by Kelly and an idiot. At least what rumors suggest but never confirmed.

I look forward to you revisiting this in March

If you do a Proper research on all the players that where drafted and you will cleary see 👀 each player is a chess piece on Neilson's defensive scheme. Strictly speaking, to have a Dominate defense Each player in each position has to have a unique strength, talent,IQ,and Acumen for that position to be Dominate and vicious. Ijs... Speed, Power, and Domination ... High motor athlete's ✅️

I agree they were drafting over drafting players. But if you look at theirs needs & the ppl who were drafted after their guys. It’s not really a reach in my opinion. The only thing I would’ve done different is get a corner first round then Mitchell in the 2nd. But I do think Thomas has a higher ceiling than Mitchell. Overall thought the jags killed it. Brought some guys who can beef up their defense and don’t have to start right away. Also, they have the staff to develop the dline. Previous defensive of coordinator for LSU is with the jags now. I’m sure he went to bat for Jefferson and maason

I’m praying this is a master class

This draft is gonna go down in history as one of the drafts of all time

Balke has a type, that's for sure.

I like the draft..Hope the pan out..Baalke building som🤘🏾😎🐆

This is definetly a draft for trent balkee. Hes always been the physical type of drafter. "If he runs faster then i got him"

Go jags

Travon Walker had 10 sacks last year

#firebaalke

I would have drafted Jordan Jefferson before Maason Smith...

I went from wanting BTJ to wanting BTJ to fail in 8 short weeks lol

Couldn’t have said it better. They were over drafting players based on traits in hopes that one of they hits. It’s their philosophy but I don’t think it leads to sustainable. Too many gambles in my opinion to build a roster.

who would you have drafted for the jags?

Ooo boy that’s alot of reaches 😂

Not 488 lol

This video will look foolish in 2 seasons

It’s a Baalke draft. It’s all physical upside. It’s either going to be really good, or awful. I don’t feel terrible after this one, but only time will tell.

They drafted 6 practice squad guys

I think they objectively had a terrible draft. Even if you like the Brian Thomas Jr pick, they could have grabbed the BEST defender on the board and instead went with the 4th best receiver, but fine, they got additional picks and their guy so well done on that front. Beyond that, everything else was textbook Baalke: a raw but athletic prospect with high upside but likely no immediate impact. Hasn't worked yet, but I'm suuuuure this is the one time everything falls into place for him. Offensive line was terrible last year too, and they only brought in Mitch Morse. Some of those picks needed to be OL instead of potential replacements for the guy you just offered a sizeable contract (Armstead).

This is why the Jags are stuck in mediocrity. Anyone that can sit and praise this draft class, needs help. Baalke does this shit every year and it rarely ever works out. Traits over production is a horrible way to go. He passed on quite a few players with traits and production for a bunch of projects and players that won’t be on the team in 3 years. Why anyone thinks Trent’s process is going to lead to success this year, is beyond me. He has a type and it’s a horrible one at that. He also loves players with a knee injury history. The only good thing to come out of this draft, is that this will be Trent’s last one….. hopefully.

Worst draft of any team