Franchise Mode is a game we play play here every year where we take over an NFL franchise for the NFL draft, and see if we can build a better roster than the actual NFL team.
Next year and in 5 years we will revisit and grade how we did.
The Jaguars are the team of choice this year, they are a rebuild dream come true; loaded with picks, including 2 1st rounders and the 1st overall pick.
We will be drafting live in the same clock as the actual NFL team.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
2021 NFL DRAFT
ROUND 1
No surprise here. I like Zach Wilson, but Lawrence’s ability to read coverages and diagnose defenses is far beyond Wilson at the moment. Wilson may have slightly better arm strength and ability to throw off platform, but Lawrence is still good or great at those things. Is 5-10% better arm strength better than 3 years of elite play against the best competition? In my opinion no. Lawrence is a safe pick with high upside. Lock it in!
25. Trevon Moehrig
A few players were higher on the board – such as Carlos Basham and Jeremiah Owusu but they are not scheme fits or as high of ateam need. The Jaguars are moving to a 3-4 and Basham is best as an hand in the dirt edge rusher. While Jeremiah Owusu is a coverage linebacker while they have Myles Jack. In addition, its not exactly it is not in a game changing position. Safety is becoming more important in todays NFL and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find studs at the position. It also fills one of the biggest holes in the roster, the Jaguars have not had an pro-bowl caliber safety for many years.
33. Levi Onwuzurike
They’re a ton of great players available here, but Levi Onwuzurike fills a need and can move around as a scheme fit. The Jaguars are transitioning into a 3-4 front, and Levi can play DE as a 5-Technique and move inside on 3rd down as a 3-tech; getting some serious interior pressure. Heck he even played a bunch a nose tackle in college, which is why he had a dip in production. The Jaguars can get the best defensive tackle in the draft here, at a valuable position.
45. Jeremiah Owusu
I dont know how Jeremiah Owusu will fit into the Jaguars scheme, they’re some great players at more positional value/need but at the point of the draft he has far too much value and versatility to pass up on. Jeremiah Owusu also known as JOK is at his best playing around the edge, using his speed as a blitzer or in coverage. A bit of a hybrid safety/linebacker so his transition will be interesting. He can be a great matchup on running backs and tight ends, and even some WR’s in the slot. At the end of the day he is a playmaker that can make a difference in key moments of the game.
65. Paulson Adebo
The Jaguars have solid CB’s with the signing of Shaquill Griffin and drafting CJ Henderson early in last years draft. But as the Buccaneers have shown, having a deep secondary can pay dividends. Paulson Adebo is best suited for outside corner with his length and explosiveness, but he does have quick/fluid feet and can be effective blitzing off the edge. The Jaguars did end up drafting Tyson Campbell in the second round, so Paulson Adebo should fit into that same spot; perhaps even better for less draft capital.
106. Michael Carter
Again they’re a few players ahead of Michael Carter left on the board but Carter brings a different element to the backfield. James Robinson had a tremendous rookie season and should still serve as the every down back, but Cater offers a smaller quicker element out of the backfield with good receiving skills. Furthermore, he is used to being used a spell running back. The Jaguars went ahead and drafted Travis Etienne in the first, Carter can offer some of the same value at a lower cost.
121. Jordan Smith
For the second time in the draft the Jaguars and I align with the exact same pick. Although this pick is less obvious than the first, Jordan Smith offers unlimited upside; he possesses serious length, burst and bend around the edge on film. His testing numbers didn’t line up with the film, I thought he would put up great numbers and climb some boards but the opposite happened. With the Jaguars switching to 3-4 they could add some more pass rushers, Josh Allen is cemented on one side for a few more years, but K’Lavon Chaisson had an inconsistent rookie year. Although a first round pick I’m not sold on his technique and ability to play on the edge. Jordan Smith is a boom or bust pick; but owrth the risk at this point.
145. Brevin Jordan
The Jaguars have a huge need at tight end, they have some blockers but are truly missing a receiving threat and security blanket for Trevor Lawrence. It may not be a pivotal position but with the value at this point; Brevin Jordan is the obvious pick. He can line up in the slot, H-Back or inline, with speed to stretch the field as a vertical threat. The consensus is that he is a weak blocker, but the film shows other wise, he had good technique and is very willing. Obviously size plays a factor and he shouldn’t be left alone with the JJ Watts of the world but not many tight ends stand a chance in that scenario anyways. A real steal at this point of the draft, following the long line of Miami tight ends to be successful in the NFL. The fact that they draft tight end Luke Farrell ahead of Jordan with be worth a laugh in a few years.
209. Demetric Felton
A few names pop out at this pick, The best option would be to pick yet again an other pass rusher in hopes of striking gold; Quincy Roche is still left on the board. He has a high motor and great technique plus he really impressed at the senior bowl. Against my own wisdom and logic; my gut goes with Demetric Felton. Why? he is listed as a running back and I already drafted Michael Carter… BUT he can play slot WR with the versatility to play RB or in motion for jet sweeps/screens. Plus he is an electric returner, the goal here is to surround Lawrence with playmakers. In this scenario, we opted not to draft Travis Etienne in the 1st round, so perhaps Felton can help fill that role in Urban Myers offense.
UNDRAFTED TARGETS
- Ar'Darius Washington - S - TCU
- Hamilcar Rashed - EDGE - Oregon State
- Marvin Wilson - DT - Florida State
- Tariq Thompson - S - San Diego State
- Caleb Huntley - RB - Ball State
- JaQuan Bailey - DE - Iowa State
- Lorenzo Burns - CB - Arizona
- Shane Buechele - QB - SMU
- Tony Poljan - TE - VIrginia
- Kenny Yeboah - TE - Ole Miss
- Quintin Morris - TE - Bowling Green
- Javon McKinley - WR - NOtre Dame
- Brandon Smith - WR - Iowa
- Charles Snowden - EDGE - Virginia
This undrafted free agent class is very strong, the implications of covid has resulted in mismatched testing results and ability for scouts to get the full scouting experience. These free agent targets are in order of priority and I’m willing to bet at least of few of them will be NFL starters and possible pro bowlers at some point. I wouldn’t even be mad if my top 7 were my ACTUAL draft picks.
Only time will tell if my picks are better than the actual picks.