Put the 2008 NFL Draft in the books! The Jags made five selections, but this town is still buzzing about Saturday's top pick. Jacksonville traded up 18 spots to get the Florida Gators Derrick Harvey. I think this pick alone makes Jacksonville's draft a huge success. In addition, Jacksonville added more defensive end help in the second round with Quentin Groves.
It's tough to evaluate the Jags day two picks. Jacksonville selected linebacker Thomas Williams and cornerback Trae Williams in the fifth round, then added running back Chauncey Washington out of USC in the seventh round. When you get this late in the draft, who knows if these guys will even be on the team. I think the Jags just took best player available in these spots and according to some scouts the Washington pick in round seven could be a steal... but that's a big could. The Giants used a seventh rounder last year, running back Ahmad Bradshaw, to help win a Super Bowl you know.
If you look at the draft by position I'm surprised a bit that the Jags didn't draft a safety, they are very thin in this position, but obviously didn't feel the value was there at the time.
Overall, this was my first draft in Jacksonville and I can sense the excitement around the weekend and this team for the fall. It's not an exact science, but on paper Jacksonville should feel really good about the present and future coming out of this year's draft.
Harvey and Groves arrived at the stadium today. You can watch there interviews on the web.
Any thoughts football fans??? Agree or disagree with my draft analysis?
