Round 1, 26th overall pick- Phillip Merling, Defensive End, Clemson- Merling, a junior, was originally projected to be a top 10-15 pick, and while he can still go that high, it appears that Merling is falling and could easily reach the Jaguars at 26. Merling fits the bill of a typical Jacksonville defensive end, being stout against the run and the pass. At 276 pounds, Merling posses good size and he has been timed in the 4.6’s, so he certainly as the skills to make an immediate impact. If Merling is around by the low 20’s, look for the Jags to make a bid to trade up to attain him.

Alternatives: With there being a good chance that Merling will be off the board before Jacksonville selects, there are several other ways the jags could go. The best offensive linemen would likely be gone, so the D-line will still be a priority. Trevor Laws of Notre Dame, who is flying up the boards, could be an option, as could Quentin Groves of Auburn. Laws seems to be a popular pick for Jacksonville, and Groves would certainly contribute as a pass-rusher.

Round 2, 58th pick- Tyrell Johnson , Strong Safety, Arkansas State- Jacksonville needs some secondary help given the fact that Gerald Sensabaugh has yet to play a full season as a starter. Sensabaugh could be a stud but in case he isn’t Johnson would be a great fit. Johnson is projected as a mid to late second rounder, right where the Jaguars select, so there is a good chance he’s around when the Jags pick. At 6’0”, 207 lbs, Johnson combines solid size, but after the combine, he showed he had the strength (27 bench-press reps) to be an NFL strong safety.

Alternatives: An offensive lineman such as Sam Baker of USC or Anthony Collins of Kansas, but Johnson would be too good to pass up here. Also, if Jacksonville doesn’t attain an end in the first round or via trade, a player like Lawrence Jackson of USC would be ideal in round two.

Round 3, 71st pick- Dre Moore Defensive Tackle, Maryland- The Jaguars need some depth at defensive tackle, and while Moore doesn’t fit the bill as the regular massive Jacksonville tackles (6’4”, 305 lbs.) he has great strength (31 bench-press reps) and has a very quick first step, running a 4.8 40. He had 63 tackles and 6 sacks for the Terps last season and would be a nice compliment to the massive John Henderson up front.

Alternatives:  Depending on what happens, Jacksonville could go offensive line, defensive line or safety. S Tom Zbikowski of Notre Dame is an option given his experience, as is tackle Jeremy Zuttah from Rutgers. Jeremy Thompson of Wake Forest is a quick end who could also have Jacksonville’s attention.

Round 3, 89th pick- Kevin Smith, Running Back, UCF- With Fred Taylor on the wrong side of 30 and Maurice Jones-Drew not yet proving himself as an every down back, the Jaguars might be searching for a back to add depth and eventually be a key contributor. I have a little bias toward Smith but trust me, he is a stud. Smith runs a little high and doesn’t have amazing breakaway speed, but everything else is there. He has amazing vision and is a terrific cutback runner who can push a pile, much in the mold of Fred Taylor or Travis Henry. Smith rushed for the second most yards in NCAA history for the Knights last season.

Alternatives: Bruce Davis of UCLA is projected as a pass rush end, and S Josh Barret of Arizona could be an absolute stud if he falls here and if the Jags don’t take care of their secondary by now.

Round 4, pick 27- Oniel Cousins, Offensive Line, UTEP- Cousins could go anywhere from round 2 to round 5, and he posses great agility for a big man. Cousins could play multiple possisions on the offensive line and could eventually replace Khalif Barnes at left tackle if the Jags part ways with him by the end of 2008.

Alternatives: Jason Jones, a DE from Eastern Michigan, is moving up the boards and could be a great pass rusher here. John Greco, a guard from Toledo, is a versatile lineman who would also fill a need and would represent great value.

Round 5, pick 10- Marcus Griffin, Safety, Texas- At 5’10”, 201 lbs, Griffin has the size to play either safety position. Griffin was a productive player for the Longhorns but a weak combine has hurt his stock. Griffin could be a special teams stud at the very least and could find a niche in nickel packages.

Alternatives: QB Dennis Dixon of Oregon is coming off a major knee injury, which has hurt his stock, but he has the physical tools to be a good player one day. He needs to add some beef and ahs hard time learning the playbook in the pass, but he represents value as a project player.

Round 5, pick 25- Josh Johnson, Quarterback, San Diego- In case you can’t tell, I’m predicting the Jaguars take a QB late in the draft. If a guy like Brian Brohm falls to the Jags in round three it’ll be hard to pass up, but Smith offers as a great project towards the end of the draft. Johnson might be gone by here, but if he is available anywhere in round 5, look for the Jags to take a chance. Although he played low level competition, Johnson threw 41 TDs to just one INT. This accuracy is key in Jacksonville’s offense, and Johnson’s mobility is also a plus, and he reminds me somewhat of David Garrard, and could learn from him over the next several years.

Alternatives: Colt Brennan of Hawaii is another popular option for Jacksonville, and I honestly think the Jags take him. Brennan had an illustrious collegiate career in the rainbow state, but a lack of arm strength and pocket presence might hinder his career. He has potential and is worth the risk…remember last year when drafts had him projected as a first rounder going to Jacksonville?

Round 5, pick 27- Phillip Wheeler, Linebacker, Georgia- This isn’t a huge need, but Wheeler is terrific as a blitzing linebacker, which fits Greg Williams’ scheme. He is a little thin and has a weird body type, and while he might never be a starter in the NFL, Wheeler can straight up make a plays, which should earn him a  role somewhere in the league.

Alternative: A big offensive lineman who could be a project such as Tony Hills of Texas is an option for the Jags.

Hollywood Lessons and Moments Scrubs- Todd: "So, once you've got the hole at the bottom of the popcorn box, it's basically just a waiting game." Entourage:Ari Gold: "Let's hug it out, b****" Office Space: Tom Smykowski: It was a "Jump to Conclusions" mat. You see, it would be this mat that you would put on the floor... and would have different CONCLUSIONS written on it that you could JUMP TO." The Office: Michael Scott: Sssssssucker! See, I wanted somebody to take it! Reverse psychology! Michael Scott: Reverse psychology is an awesome tool, I don't know if you guys know about it, but basically you can make someone think the opposite of what you believe, and that tricks them into doing something stupid. Works like a charm.

Anyway, I have fixated on this draft for many months now. I have tried to weigh the various options available to the Jags and to anticipate the players that will be available to the Jags when they select. I have examined various trade scenarios in my mind almost to the point of my mind going numb. At this point, I just don't think that the Jags will be able to swing any trade during the draft. (Note, by saying this I may be guaranteeing that the trades comes through.)

At this point, it seems to me that the Jags will find a way to make this draft all about rushing the passer and improving both lines. With that in mind, here is my latest mock draft:

Rd 1(26): Quentin Groves - DE - Auburn

Many people will say he is too small and that he is really a candidate to play the 3-4 OLB position. In my mind, he is one of the top 3 pass rush DEs in this draft and in the end that is what the Jags are seeking. The way I see it, the Jags will employ at least two lines of pass rush DEs to keep them fresh and to generate pressure on the QB. In my mind Quentin Groves is at the very least equal to Brian Smith in his ability to rush the passer. I can see these two lined up on the two ends really creating pressure on the outside, with Derek Landri and Rob Meier lined up on the inside to collapse the pocket. I could also see both Smith and Groves being backed up by LBers that will position themselves to blitz in a zone blitz scheme that will help in creating uncertainty in the pass rush.

Rd 2 (58): Red Bryant - DT - Texas A&M

Many people are hoping that Dre Moore will fall to the Jags at this spot. I would love for that to happen, but I just don't think it will. Bryant offers an alternate to Moore not so much in his pass rush abilities but in his ability to occupy two Offensive lineman. If Bryant can cause a double team situation it is going to free up the players around him to make plays. This I believe is Bryant's greatest value and it is a totally unselfish and team oriented concept that the Jags will thrive upon.

Rd 3 (71): Anthony Collins - OT - Kansas

Anthony Collins is a work in progress but he has the skillset to be able to man the OLT position. This will be important in sending a message to Khalif Barnes. If Khalif gets the message and he straightens out his life then he will be re-signed next off-season. If the does not straighten out his life then the Jags have another option to explore in putting Collins in at the OLT in 2009. In any event, Collins will learn a lot in what would have been his Senior season if he had stayed at Kansas.

Rd 3 (89): Phillip Wheeler - LB - Ga. Tech

Phillip Wheeler has been in free fall for a couple of months now. Some believe that he will fall all the way to Rd 5. I personally do not believe he will fall that far at all. In my mind he offers great value at the end of Rd 3 just for his ability to blitz the QB. Combine he and Daryl Smith or Justin Durrant behind Quentin Groves and Brian Smith at the two DE spots and it will have the offensive line guessing who is actually coming and who is falling back into coverage. In my mind this will fit in very well with the defensive scheme that Greg Williams will bring to the team's defense.

Rd 4 (125): Kendall Langford - DE - Hampton

Many people think he will be taken as early as Rd 3 and he just might, but in my mind his value is best at the end of Rd 4 at this spot in the draft. He will provide the Jags with that strong side DE to rotate with Paul Spicer, who could be cross-trained to line up inside at the DT position.

Rd 5 (143): Jack Ikegwuonu - CB/S - Wisconsin

This is at the very least a high Rd 2 type player that falls due to injury. He is making noise like he will be able to play in 2008, but I seriously doubt that. He does have some off the field baggage, but his talent is such that he is worth the risk with one of the three Rd 5 picks that the Jags have in this draft. I think the Jags place this kid on IR for the 2008 season and allow him to be ready to compete for a roster spot in 2009.

Rd 5 (158): Dennis Dixon - QB - Oregon

Again this player offers great value at this spot even though he may have to sit out the 2008 season. I think he wins the backup QB spot in 2009.

Rd 5 (159): Gary Barnidge - TE - Louisville

This local product from Middleburg will go a long way towards replacing Earnest Wilford and all that he brought to the team's offense. I believe he will quickly become the No. 2 TE on the team.

As can be seen, this draft is about improving the Dline and specifically the pass rush. It also acknowledges that there is a bevy of talent on the current roster and accordingly two of the picks are Jars on the Shelf for the 2009 season.

The alternatives above fit into our schemes as well.

I also think if we can work the 3-4 into our packages against specific teams we will SHOCK them into seeing a new wrinkle from us and we should be successful against them at home and on the road.

THE TIME IS NOW, JAGS! FRONT OFFICE, COACHES and PLAYERS, it is TIME NOW to get it DONE! 

Just my .02