In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve been going back over the 2008, 2009, and 2010 draft class of each franchise and assigning each pick a grade. Up next? Well, that’s the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Each pick between the 2008 and 2010 draft classes has been given a grade between +2.0 and -2.0 (in 0.5 increments) that depends upon:
• Where they were drafted
• Their performance
• Their contribution (how many snaps their team got out of them)
• Other factors, such as unforeseen injuries and conditions that could not have been accounted for
Let’s take a look at how Jacksonville drafted.
+2.0: You’ve just found Tom Brady in the 6th round
Still they search.
+1.5: Getting much more than you bargained for!
Unfortunately none fit the profile.
+1.0: The scouts nailed it!
Eugene Monroe, T (8th overall pick in 2009): After taking some time to find his feet at the NFL level, Monroe’s last two years have answered any doubts about him. His average per season grade in 2011 and 2012 (+21.5) shows a player who may not be the best left tackle in the league, but he’s up near the top.
+0.5: Never hurts to find a solid contributor
Derek Cox, CB (73rd overall pick in 2009): Cox has looked talented at times, especially after his first two years in the league. But for all the good, he’s struggled to stay on the field and when a lot was asked of him (go man-to-man with some of the top receivers in the game) he’s fallen short. Still, good value.
Terrance Knighton, DT (72nd overall pick in 2009): ‘Pot Roast’ has always graded positively, turning his four years of action into a +13.0 grade. He’d be in a higher category but for his at times inconsistent play and being demoted through 2012. Shame the Jaguars couldn’t get more out of him.
Mike Thomas, WR (107th overall pick in 2009): Looked like a hit in the making after a solid rookie year — and an even better sophomore season — but the two disappointing years after that saw him traded away. Getting a fifth round back makes this a marginal hit.
Zach Miller, TE (180th overall pick in 2009): The former sixth-round pick is a minor hit because given what you’d expect from a sixth-rounder (not much), he’s over delivered.
Rashad Jennings, RB (250th overall pick in 2009): After missing all of 2011, Jennings didn’t run with the opportunity presented to him in 2012. That’s a minor disappointment because he’d impressed in limited action in the two years before. A nice pick-up in the seventh.
Austen Lane, DE (153rd overall pick in 2010): The former fifth rounder didn’t do all that much in his first two years. But an increased role in 2012 saw him develop into a fine run defender who can also bring some pressure. There’s more upside there.
0.0: Nothing ventured, nothing gained (It could have been worse)
Thomas Williams, LB (155th overall pick in 2008): Looked decent in limited special teams action, but ultimately never caught on after a year with the club.
Chauncey Washington, RB (213th overall pick in 2008): You don’t expect much from a seventh-round pick, and in that regard the Jags were not surprised with their return from Washington. He lasted a year before being waived and even managed double digit snaps on offense while seeing significantly more action on special teams.
Jarett Dillard, WR (144th overall pick in 2009): His time in Jacksonville has been plagued by injuries and he’s shown little when he’s been on the field. Led to the team waiving him in May of 2012.
Tiquan Underwood, WR (253rd overall pick in 2009): A decent kick returner, Underwood’s stone hands meant he was never going to be relied upon. Still, what do you expect out of a compensatory pick in the seventh?
Larry Hart, DE (142nd overall pick in 2010): As a purely situational pass rusher, Hart showed an ability to influence the QB with a healthy 17 combined sacks, hits, and hurries on just 163 pass rushes. This didn’t cut the mustard in Jacksonville and he was cut a year later.
Deji Karim, RB (180th overall pick in 2010): After a rookie year where Karim impressed as a returner, he failed to develop and was cut after two years with the team.
Scotty McGee, WR (203rd overall pick in 2010): Looked in the mix for returning duties until an injury robbed him of his rookie year. Was cut a year later.
-0.5: That pick was not put to good use
Trae Williams, CB (159th overall pick in 2008): You expect more from a fifth-round pick than to see him waived within five months and passed up for the practice squad.
-1.0: What a waste!
Quentin Groves, DE (52nd overall pick in 2008): Even getting a fifth round pick back for him doesn’t make up for the waste this pick proved to be. Groves was given an opportunity to start in his two years with the Jags, but outside of one beat down of Duane Brown in Week 13 of 2009, never lived up to the billing.
Eben Britton, T (39th overall pick in 2009): After a tough rookie year seemed to be heading in the right direction before his season ended early. Since then he’s been a complete liability when he has seen the field. Just hasn’t worked out
Tyson Alualu, DT (10th overall pick in 2010): When you take a guy in the Top 10 of a draft you need them to become an impact player. Alualu has been nothing more than a below average starter, despite a hot start to life in the NFL. Struggles in the run game and doesn’t do a good enough job of getting pressure. Really needs to step up his play.
D’Anthony Smith, DT (74th overall pick in 2010): At least he got on the field in 2012. But for only 101 snaps. Just a lack of return on a pick that means something.
-1.5: The scouts/ coaches failed, big time!
Derrick Harvey, DE (8th overall pick in 2008): This pick just gets worse every time you look at it. The price it cost Jacksonville to trade up, plus the Harvey hold out and then his eventual performance are what you look for in a bust. The scary thing about Harvey is he seemed to get worse rushing the passer the more he played for Jacksonville.
-2.0: You just drafted the love child of Jamarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf!
There were no Russell/ Leaf hybrids to pick from.
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