With the 8th pick in the BBV Mock Draft, the Jaguars select ...

by Ed Valentine on Apr 10, 2009 7:00 AM EDT in News Comment 14 comments

We have reached the 8th selection in our Big Blue View Community Mock Draft. Here is what 'mymanren,' selecting for the Jacksonville Jaguars, decided to do with the selection.

8. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

Jacksonville has glaring needs at WR and in their interior defense. Maclin is a very tempting pick here, but his skills are still pretty raw and will need time to develop. Jacksonville is one season removed from an 11-5 record, and will probably make a safer pick that can have more of an immediate impact. Raji will wreak havoc in the middle with John Henderson and will take attention away from the two DEs they drafted last year. Jacksonville definitely missed Stroud last season, and are now also without Mike Peterson. Jacksonville still needs a WR with Jones, Williams, and Porter all gone, but this is a receiver rich draft and the Jags have been burned by high WR picks. I think they'll go for offense with their other picks. Also, David Garrard is their guy they won't throw this pick away on a QB. In the real draft I think Jacksonville is a prime candidate to trade down.

My thoughts: It's obvious that 'ren' put a lot of thought into this pick. I will be the first one to admit that I don't know the Jaguars that well, but this seems like a solid pick. As we know, beefing up the defensive line is never a bad idea.

This puts the Green Bay Packers and 'Dick Murdoch' on the clock. E-mail the pick to bigblueview@gmail.com.

1. Detroit Lions (selected by 'cjmulrain')

Jason Smith, OT, Baylor: Conventional wisdom says that the Lions are going to select quarterback Matt Stafford of Georgia, but since I'm running the show I'm going in a different direction. I'm not convinced that Stafford is going to be a star QB in the league, and when you're taking a guy with the first pick I don't think you can have any doubts about it, especially when you're coming off the first ever 0-16 season in NFL History. Even if Stafford does have the tools to be a great quarterback, the Lions have no semblance of an O-line to protect him, putting him at risk to develop David Carr syndrome if he were brought in to play right away. To address this, I went with Smith, who profiles as a potential franchise left tackle. I strongly believe in the philosophy of building a football team from the lines out and think a team as devoid of talent as the Lions would be better served with a rock at left tackle. I was tempted by Aaron Curry but think there will be better value on the defensive side of the ball at the 20th pick than there will be on the O-line. As for QB, let's just say that I'm not too optimistic about the prospects for the 2009 Lions and like the thought of Colt McCoy in silver and blue.

2. St. Louis Rams ('Woogie526')

Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest: Well this decision was originally going to be a selfish one by the new coach. However, with Jason Smith off the board, it became a no-brainer. I choose Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest. He would be the brain of Spag's defense. In the crazy schemes Spags uses, he needs a general on the field to organize blitzes and coverages.

3. Kansas City Chiefs ('jrs1940')

Brian Orapko, OLB, Texas: Orakpo is an NFL ready defensive end. He is 6-4 and 258 pounds and a great athlete who can power or finesse his way into the backfield. He tallied four tackles-for-loss and a half a sack as a freshman and earned Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors. The following year he managed 4.5 sacks and six tackles-for-loss. As an upperclassman last season Orakpo improved those numbers and ended up with 5.5 sacks and nine tackles-for-loss, although his playing time was limited due to a knee injury. He is much better than that guy the Rams stole from us, I’m glad we didn’t get him.

4. Seattle Seahawks ('bkurcz')

Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia: I know its not the sexy pick, with Stafford and Crabtree still out there, but it's the pick that makes the most sense. The three main areas that Seattle needs to improve are O-line, WR and secondary. The WR depth in the draft is pretty good, I'm sure there is going to be an attractive prospect early in the second round at that position. Number 4 is a little early to take any of this year's DBs and a future replacement for Matt Hasselback can wait 'til late in the draft or next year. So, my pick for a guy that has proven himself at guard and tackle is a smart way to go. Especially because Walter Jones isn't getting any younger.

5. Cleveland Browns ('jp2y')

Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech: With stud pass-rushing talent Brian Orakpo fresh off of the board, Mangini and Kokinis select the gifted receiver from Texas Tech, Michael Crabtree. His off-the-charts production at Tech proved that he was not merely a system product of Mike Leach's high-octane offense. There have been rumblings of a Giants-Browns trade for Braylon Edwards for weeks now, and the Browns have done nothing to dispel those rumors. Crabtree will replace the talented yet drop-prone Edwards, and replace him as Cleveland's deep threat for the next decade, and most likely develop into an All-Pro talent. The extra picks obtained from the Edwards trade will allow Mangini to focus on the defensive side of the ball.

6. Cincinnati Bengals ('ETVal')

Andre Smith, OT, Alabama: The Bengals are like the baggage claim service at the airport. They love to collect players with suitcases full of it, and that makes the enigmatic Smith the perfect pick in this spot. The fact that Cincinnati desperately needs someone who can help keep Carson Palmer in one piece, and that the 6-foot-4, 332-pound Smith should do that quite well, is just a bonus.

7. Oakland Raiders ('hoyadestroya85')

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland: Throwing it deep is what the Raiders are all about. We already have our Howitzer Armed Quarterback, so now what we need is a guy to go over the top of defenses. There is no better person for this role than Darrius Heyward-Bey from Maryland. I know he doesn't have the "production" and he may be a "workout warrior" but this guy is what the Raiders are all about. We don't want little dump off passes like the Rich Gannon/Jon Gruden days. Chicks dig the long ball and that's what we're gonna give them.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars ('mymanren')

B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College: Jacksonville has glaring needs at WR and in their interior defense. Maclin is a very tempting pick here, but his skills are still pretty raw and will need time to develop. Jacksonville is one season removed from an 11-5 record, and will probably make a safer pick that can have more of an immediate impact. Raji will wreak havoc in the middle with John Henderson and will take attention away from the two DEs they drafted last year. Jacksonville definitely missed Stroud last season, and are now also without Mike Peterson. Jacksonville still needs a WR with Jones, Williams, and Porter all gone, but this is a receiver rich draft and the Jags have been burned by high WR picks. I think they'll go for offense with their other picks. Also, David Garrard is their guy they won't throw this pick away on a QB. In the real draft I think Jacksonville is a prime candidate to trade down.

9. Green Bay Packers ('Dick Murdoch')

10. San Francisco 49ers ('Free Bradshaw')

11. Buffalo Bills ('Greek')

12. Denver Broncos ('lizard')

13. Washington Redskins ('Rick Snider')

14. New Orleans Saints ('CodyK')

15. Houston Texans ('one-bar')

16. San Diego Chargers ('Bajaserge')

17. New York Jets ('mwilli')

18. Denver Broncos ('lizard')

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ('DaBigBlue')

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas Cowboys, 'cjmulrain')

21. Philadelphia Eagles ('queler')

22. Minnesota Vikings ('NYG 28')

23. New England Patriots ('potroast')

24. Atlanta Falcons ('kingofatlanta')

25. Miami Dolphins ('gobs56')

26. Baltimore Ravens ('mahmoodzaky')

27. Indianapolis Colts ('SBaker')

28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina Panthers, 'queler')

29. New York Giants ('ETVal')

30. Tennessee Titans ('GullySully77')

31. Arizona Cardinals ('cgerycz')

32. Pittsburgh Steelers ('squid92')

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Comments

Good pick

We know the Jags love their D-linemen just as much as the Giants do.

by potroast on Apr 10, 2009 12:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bad pick

The Packers were gonna take him next.

by Dick Murdock on Apr 10, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jealousy

rears its ugly head. LOL!!

by Ed Valentine on Apr 10, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It sure does...

I know you liked my side note for Raji/Rodgers though. LOL!

by Dick Murdock on Apr 10, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know about this

Considering their problems with Matt Jones, the reports of B.T. Raji testing positive for whatever on his drug test might be enough to scare them away from this pick… and they need more help on O-line than D-line, it’s more pressing. If Smith or Monroe fall to them they’ll pick them up for sure to protect David Garrard from all those sacks last season. They need to replace Richard Collier and get some depth on that line for sure. They should sign Leftwich in case Garrard tanks next season, or if he gets injured.

by mahmoodzaky on Apr 10, 2009 1:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I meant B.J.

by mahmoodzaky on Apr 10, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

O-line

You are right about their O-line, but according to this mock draft both Smith & Monroe are gone and Oher & Britton are not top 10 talent. He’s playing playing with the hand he’s dealt. I can see WR as well, but he makes a good case as to why the Jags might be gun shy and I buy it. Also, there is no confirmation that Raji actually did test positive and this guy is going to be a monster.

by potroast on Apr 10, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

thats true about it fitting into this draft… and I agree they wouldn’t take a receiver. They aren’t the Lions… bahaha, love ripping on that joke of a franchise.

by mahmoodzaky on Apr 10, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

by potroast on Apr 10, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not a bad pick

Id say the Jags were missing that intimidation fact on their D Line when they traded Marcus Stroud. Raji could officially replace Stround or eventually be the man on the line once John Henderson goes away.

I do thing that this won’t be the pick tho. The Jags are the only team in the Top 10 that actually isn’t as bad as their record says. There always seems to be a team picking in the TOp 10 were they just had a bad year, but the talent is still there.

I think they go WR cuz they could really use one. Matt Jones was starting to come along, but unlike Lawerence Taylor he got caught with the Yayo and is paying for it.

Jeremy Maclin or Beanie Wells would probably be the choice here.

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 10, 2009 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, the Packers, Seahawks, and Jags will all have much better years next year

by mahmoodzaky on Apr 10, 2009 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jags fan here

I seriously doubt B.J. Rajii because of the character concerns. Awesome need fill with great talent though, so thank you for paying enough attention to understand that.

Our brand spanking new GM, Gene Smith, is all about character and that is why you have seen a lot of cuts by the Jaguars this off-season.
I promise Leftwhich will not be resigned by the jags. David Garrard is “the man”. He is not nearly as bad as he looks from last season. He had some of the worst wr’s in the league and the o-line was missing all three interior lineman until the bye week, then we got our center back. Garrard does check down a lot, but the wr’s dont catch anything. I literally see money passes dropped all day. Thats why they always run simple slants, its so the catch can be made easier.
I doubt wr early, im hearing a lot of Beanie Wells.
Look for a big guy, or Impact player thats not a wr. The reason i say this, our GM is a former D-lineman on some level and believes in drafting the line out and wants to accumalate more picks. So look for a trade down.
Also, dont expect John Henderson to be in teal on opening day.

Sorry if its long. Take care,
-Surteal

surreal to be teal

by Surteal on Apr 12, 2009 4:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That is who I think

Beanie Wells seems like the likely pick. He could pair with MJD to make the RB’s a real strength still. The Jags are not as bad as where they are picking so unlike the other teams in the top ten, they can really draft the best player available

Why is John Henderson not going to be there opening day? If he is gone tho, wouldn’t that be a reason to take Raji?

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 12, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jaguars are In the House

Thats an unlikely pick. If Raji is there, The Jags will probably trade back with Denver, in a real life scenario. They won’t select Raji anyway, as the Jags are trying to put an emphasis on character and erase the title Cincinnati South.

Thats Good For Another Jacksonville... First Down.

by Bestjagfan on Apr 13, 2009 2:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs