Can Cameron Jordan Fix the Jacksonville Jaguars?
The Jaguars were the fifth worst pass defense in the league last season (giving up an average of 250.3 yards a game), and perhaps their atrocious safety play was most notable reason why. According to CBSSports Jeff Reynolds, replacing both starters at safety is, for Jacksonville, the biggest off season to-do:
?The Jaguars are still paying the price for Reggie Nelson being a bust after being drafted in the first round in 2007. They traded him to Cincinnati last year, but didn?t have an experienced replacement. They would up with two young players, Courney Greene and Don Carey, at the position. They need a serious upgrade but didn?t get Bob Sanders, a free agent with a long history of injuries with the Colts.?
The most obvious problem this draft presents, at least as it pertains to my analyzing who the Jaguars should take in the first round, is that there is no safety prospect worthy of a first round pick. Thus, I turn to what defines as their next most pressing need ? defensive end.
?Aaron Kampman, coming off a torn ACL for the second year in a row, is their only proven pass rusher. They need another big-time rusher to combine with Kampman. Kampman played only half a season and yet was tied for the team lead in sack with four with Terrence Knighton.?
It takes more than just a bad backfield to make a bad pass defense, and the Jaguars have more than just a bad backfield. The finished 31st in the league last year in registering just 26 sacks, and they have no one able to consistently pressure the quarterback.
There will be some terrific defensive ends on the boards when the Jaguars select, and I think Cameron Jordan is probably the safest bet. CNNSI?s Tony Pauline said Jordan ?looked terrific? on his pro day. He was ?forceful, explosive and displayed a great burst in his movement skills.?
Jordan has at times been projected as a top ten pick, and the only reason he?d slide this far would be on account of the strength of the draft?s defensive lineman.
If Jacksonville chooses to opt for a pure pass rusher, there?s a chance Robert Quinn might be on the board too.
(Intrapersonal-nepotism Alert: Check out my latest Mock Draft.)
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