Between now and the 2007 NFL Draft, THN will be taking a look at all of the NFL teams’ off-season needs. Up next is the team with the seventeenth overall pick in the draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
2006 Results: 8-8, 3rd in AFC South
2007 Projected Cap Status: $ 87,400,000 ($21.6 million in cap space)
2006 Season Recap:
Jacksonville began the season as one of the strongest teams in the league. They were led by a dominating defense that finished second in the league, but gradually began to struggle offensively around the time of the benching of starting quarterback Byron Leftwich. Leftwich suffered an ankle injury early in the season and was replaced in favor of much heralded backup David Garrard. Garrard was so highly regarded by Jacksonville, that they had demanded a 1st rounder for his services when teams were inquiring about his availability a couple years ago.
The Jags running game displayed a powerful one-two punch with Fred Taylor and talented rookie Maurice Jones-Drew. Taylor led the team with 1,146 yards while the versatile Jones-Drew accounted for 16 total touchdowns with 13 coming on the ground, two in the air, and one on a kickoff return. He fell just 59 yards short of becoming the team’s second one thousand yard rusher.
Team Needs:
1. Offensive Line – The offensive line was outstanding at times but the team could add depth to the youthful group.
2. Cornerback – Pro Bowler Rashean Mathis and Brian Williams were a strong duo in 2006 with Terry Cousin providing solid depth at the nickel slot. With former first rounder Ahmad Carroll heading into free agency, the team could look for added depth at the fourth and fifth cornerback spots.
3. Quarterback – If neither quarterback improves on their consistency, then the team may look for other options.
2007 Draft Picks:
1st Round – 17th Overall
2nd Round – 48th Overall
3rd Round – 79th Overall
4th Round – 109th Overall
5th Round – 140th Overall
6th Round – 179th Overall
7th Round – 210th Overall
Free agency status:
UFA:
Brady, Kyle TE
Gilbert, Tony LB
Grant, Deon S
Hankton, Cortez WR
Toefield , LaBrandon RB
Wiley, Marcellus DE
RFA:
McCray, Bobby DE
Gray, Quinn QB
Wilford, Ernest WR
Carroll, Ahmad CB
Scobee, Josh K
Cordova, Jorge LB
ERFA:
Pettway, Kenneth DE
Wimbush, Derrick FB
Check out more at THN’s exclusive 2007 NFL Draft section.
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Jake Russell