The Perfect Draft: Jacksonville Jaguars

With the draft approaching, we ignore projections and identify the dream scenario for each team in a series we call The Perfect Draft.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the brink ... of something. Last year we thought it was a Super Bowl run. This year it could be collapse. Or maybe mediocrity. That's the beauty of parity, injuries and scheduling in the NFL -- a full-blown title contender can go to also-ran and then back to title contender quicker than Blake and Antoine can execute a patented two snaps and a twist.

The Jaguars hope that the 2009 NFL Draft will help them execute that second 180-degree turn, but in order to do that, they'll need it to be ... perfect. (Sorry, I've been watching way too much CSI: Miami lately.)

Realistically, though, they are a team that has a somewhat rapidly closing window on their current nucleus; they've done a very poor job of identifying talent over the past few years and it's cost them dearly. But the Jaguars have enough pieces in place as things stand right now to make another run, they just need to quickly reverse their draft-day fortunes and find some impact players at particular positions.

The Ideal Pick

Jeremy Maclin. Why? Because Michael Crabtree will likely be gone. (Of course, so will Maclin, but that's what ideals and dreams and hopes and whatnot are for.) Oh, and also because the Jaguars are desperately in need of a wide receiver, having already lost Matt Jones and Reggie Williams, their seasons and careers in Jacksonville snuffed out like a tiny glimmering flashlight of hope amidst a cavernous avalanche of white powder in a metaphorical ... well, you get what I'm going for here, right? Point being, if the Jaguars can't trade down, they need to pick up an impact wide receiver at 10; the only problem is whether or not one will actually make it to them.

Other Needs

There's been much discussion of "quarterback" as a "position of need" in Jacksonville, despite David Garrard seemingly locked into the starter's spot. And while I think that the Jaguars would do well to prepare for the future (Garrard is no spring chicken), drafting someone like Mark Sanchez really early this year might effectively seal Jack Del Rio's future on the chopping block. Of course, don't bother telling "Sweaty Garrard" that the team is pulling trigger on a signal caller -- he just won't believe you.

Offensive line is also an issue of need, although not as much as when the offseason started, thanks to the signing of Tra Thomas at left tackle. However, if any of the elite lineman in this draft drop, there's a decent chance the Jags take a stab, or use their second round pick to chase the position.

Of course, there's also a likely chance that a trade down in the first round could result in a pick of one of USC's linebackers ( Rey Maulauga, Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews) in order to make up for the likely loss of Mike Peterson after this season. A pick of either an LB or an OL would probably result in wide receiver being pushed back to the second round (or free agency), but hey, considering the success the Jags have had in the first round with wideouts, maybe that's not such a horrible idea.