WR Jeremy Maclin of Missouri AP Photo/Michael Conroy
It is getting to be that time, time for the NFL draft. All over the sports radio dial commentators and fans alike have begun the debate on who should draft who, and who will have the biggest impact on their team. It is a great time to be a sports writer, and as a sports business writer it is time to look at draft as a way to add assets to a team.
In this year’sExaminer NFL mock draft I have been assigned the task of drafting for the Jacksonville Jaguars. As I look over their roster I see three immediate needs; Wide receiver to give QB David Garrard another offensive weapon, Offensive lineman to give Garrard more time in the pocket, and a young backup QB to come in and compete with Garrard and push each towards greatness.
To this point in the Examiner mock draft there has been a run on offensive tackles. The three big names; Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe, and Michael Oher are already off the board. That leaves Andre Smith and I personally am not sold on this kid or his attitude problem.
That leaves me as the Jaguars in the position of addressing my other needs. QB Pat White out of West Virginia is high on my draft board, as he could be the back up QB to Push Garrard or possibly play wide receiver. I think that taking White at eight is a reach so now I must address the wide receiver position itself.
At this point in the examiner mock draft no wide outs have been taken giving the Jaguars the pick of the litter. Since Michael Crabtree just had surgery, I am unwilling to take him with the 8th overall pick. In this way a strong case can be made for the Jags to move down possible to 20th and select Crabtree there, however in the 8th spot I would draft WR Jeremy Maclin out of Missouri.
This is the best wide out on my draft board and a player that can immediately improve the Jags on the field.
Now in real life the St. Louis Rams are taking a strong look at Maclin since he went to school in Missouri and could help that franchise sell some tickets, but I know their front office is in love with Jason Smith and our St. Louis Rams examiner took him in this mock draft.
If Pat White was still around with the 40th pick in the second round I would definitely take him there. Or even make a trade up in order to secure him for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Sports Examiners: 2009 NFL Mock Draft »
Sports Examiners from around the country are making the first-round picks in the inaugural Examiner.com Mock Draft. Check out the full list of each Examiner's selections and see who your favorite team is predicted to take!
Comments
You THINK taking Pat White at #8 would be a reach? Taking Pat White at 39 (they pick 39, not 40)would be a MAJOR reach, let alone 8. He'll go in the bottom of round 2 at the absolute earliest and even that would probably be to a team that wants to put him in a "Slash" role, not as a QB. As for the Jags needs. They could really use an OT, DT, or a CB, but with what's avaiable in your mock draft, I think they'd really consider taking Stafford or Sanchez.
Calling Pat White a "reach" at #8 is the understatement of the century. He'd be a reach anywhere in the first two rounds.
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