In his post about the Jaguar’s team needs, MDS closed by writing that there aren’t many positions where the team doesn’t need help.
Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union agrees and that’s why he’s making the case for the Jaguars trading out of the seventh overall pick to add additional selections later in the process. Stellino writes that the Jaguars will be working the phones to make a deal if an elite player they covet doesn’t fall to them. Since he also seems to believe the only elite players in the draft are Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Trent Richardson, it would seem likely that general manager Gene Smith will be working those phones.
Trading down would represent a big change for Smith, who has gone the other way in deals to acquire quarterback Blaine Gabbert and cornerback Derek Cox. Those deals have left the Jags short of picks, though, and that’s contributed to the lack of depth and high-end talent on the roster. Moving in the other direction this season would give the Jaguars a chance to rectify that situation.
The question now is whether they’ll get the offers they want for the pick. Smith mentioned last month that a team might be eager to get their hands on Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill. That might well be the case, but a team could also trade ahead of the Jaguars for the right to grab him.
If he’s on the board when the Jaguars come up to pick, the chances of a trade go up considerably. If not, the Jaguars might have to be content taking the top player on their own board.