The 2019 NFL Draft has come and gone, and most fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars are quite pleased with the results. Just like the fans, there were also several personnel members within the organization who benefited from the additions made and here are five we believe will come away from the 2019 season as winners when we reflect back on it:
OC – John DeFilippo
Although the Jags didn’t go with an offensive player in Round 1, their new offensive coordinator, John DeFilippo, received help all across the board starting with a second-round steal in Jawaan Taylor. In the following round he received a tight end he spoke very highly of in Josh Oliver.
In Round 5, DeFilippo received tailback Ryquell Armstead, which was an underrated signing because it gives the Jags a workhorse type back like Leonard Fournette if the young tailback can’t stay healthy as was the case in 2018. Lastly, the Jags got a backup quarterback in the highly intelligent Gardner Minshew, who could end up beating out Tanner Lee as the Jags’ No. 3 and maybe even Cody Kessler, though that’s more of a long shot.
Prior to that, the Jags got DeFilippo the quarterback he knows like the back of his hand in Nick Foles and also added tight end Geoff Swaim and receiver Chris Conley, which most viewed as an underrated group of additions. Ultimately, is up to the players to put it all together now, but there is no doubt the pieces are now in place to succeed offensively.
WR – Marqise Lee
In a few of our mock drafts, we had the Jags taking a receiver early due to the fact that Lee reportedly won’t be back until late in the preseason, but they elected to pass on the position. In fact, they didn’t draft a receiver at all which means they are comfortable with the receiving corps they have.
While most could argue that his recently signed contract extension from 2018may have played a role in the Jags being patient with him, it probably would’ve been smart to add a receiver in the draft because a late preseason return could result in Lee being on injured reserve to start the regular season. That way the Jags could’ve gone into the regular season with Conley, DJ Chark, Dede Westbrook, Keelan Cole, a fifth and maybe even a sixth fully healthy receiver, but now it’s a possibility they may try and squeeze Lee onto the final roster.
Another possibility that could be on the table is hoping an undrafted rookie or two can fill the Jags’ fifth and potentially sixth receiving spots. If Lee enters the season on IR, they could swap one of the undrafted receivers out for Lee once he’s eligible to return.
QB – Nick Foles
Foles benefitted from the draft in a lot of ways that DeFilippo did due to their connection with each other and their ties to the offensive scheme. The Jags got him a mauler at right tackle in Taylor who was heavily considered in the first-round and is a player that has the potential of Lane Johnson, who was Foles’ right tackle prior.
Afterward, they addressed Foles’ favorite position by landing Oliver, who DeFilippo was all smiles about and is someone analysts feel has Zach Ertz like traits. Simply put, the addition appears to be one which could result in Oliver being his favorite target if everything goes well, while the free-agency addition of Geoff Swaim could help, too, especially in the blocking department.
Lastly, the Jags were able to land Armstead, who they say had a third-round grade on him. This is huge for Foles because the health of Fournette has been sporadic and the team needed an insurance policy for arguably their best weapon.
DC – Todd Wash and advisor Dom Capers (maybe)
With Wash being the defensive coordinator and Capers being a defensive advisor, we put both together because they’re kind of linked.
In Wash’s case, one would have to think he wasn’t expecting Josh Allen to fall in the Jags’ lap. Well, he did and Wash now has a top-3 talent on his unit to pair with Yannick Ngakoue and Calais Campbell. Simply put, that’s a situation most coordinators would envy.
With their second third-round pick, Wash also got some help in the form of linebacker Quincy Williams, who a lot of teams that run a similar scheme was high on. It’s unlikely that the young linebacker will start in Telvin Smith’s place, but regardless, he’s a fast player who brings an enforcer to the roster.
The Jags were also able to land a nose tackle with their last selection in the draft in Auburn’s Dontavius Russell, who is a run-stopping specialist. And though his chances may look bleak to stick to the roster as a late-round selection, the argument could be made the Jags need him in their defensive tackle rotation because behind Marcell Dareus, Taven Bryan and Abry Jones, they are relatively unestablished.
As for Capers, we talked earlier about how he could help sprinkle in some 3-4 concepts into the defense, if Doug Marrone is fine with it. Bringing in Allen (and Jake Ryan in free agency) basically gave the Jags all the pieces they need for a hybrid 3-4 defense and this doesn’t seem like a mistake. Regardless as to if it was or not, clearly some diversity is needed in Wash’s game planning and sprinkling in some hybrid 3-4 looks could make the Jags’ defense a No. 1 caliber unit again.
Safety – Jarrod Wilson
Wilson signed a new three-year deal with the Jags in January to prevent him from becoming a restricted free-agent, understanding that it was a chance that he might, or might not become a starter. That gamble appears to have paid off as the Jags released Tashaun Gipson for cap reasons and didn’t draft a safety at any point of the draft.
Wilson has occasionally filled in for Gipson at times and looked good in the limited snaps he was given. He’ll now join Ronnie Harrison in the backfield as the newest members of the Jackson 5, which will have a revamped pass rush helping them out.
