2018 NFL Draft: Biggest need for each team
By Conor Dorney
Jacksonville Jaguars: Linebacker
The Jaguars enjoyed a stellar 2017 season, falling just short of an AFC Championship after falling to the New England Patriots. Despite winning ten games last season, there is still plenty of work to be done in the 2018 Draft if the Jags want to continue their playoff success next season.
Jacksonville chose to spend big on their defense during free agency last year and it paid huge dividends, as the Jags transformed themselves into one of the best defenses in the league. Cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye became one of the top corner duos in the NFL and the defensive line, affectionately dubbed “Sacksonville,” wreaked havoc in opposing backfields.
The retirement of veteran linebacker Paul Posluzny, however, means that the Jags could very well turn to the defensive side of the ball with one of their early selections in the 2018 Draft. Myles Jack and Telvin Smith are both excellent on the outside, but the absence of Posluzny creates a glaring need at inside linebacker.
Many of the top-tier prospects (Leighton Vander Esch, Rashaan Evans, Tremaine Edmunds) figure to be long gone by the time Jacksonville is on the clock in the first round, however there may be plenty of day two and day three prospects who should interest the team. Indiana’s Tegray Scales and Iowa’s Josey Jewell could both be fits for Todd Walsh’s defense, as well as Virginia’s Micah Kiser.
The exodus of wide receivers Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson creates a need at wide receiver, but a weak draft class likely means the team won’t address it until the later rounds. For now, the Jags decide to stick to building what got them to the playoffs in 2017: the defense.