MOBILE, Ala. -- It’s apparently a good year to need help on defense.
Jacksonville Jaguars general manager David Caldwell said Tuesday that the upcoming NFL draft is loaded with defensive talent, which certainly benefits the Jaguars because they’re prioritizing that side of the ball in both free agency and the draft.
"Very good year for defense in the draft," Caldwell said before his coaching staff conducted its first practice with the South team in preparation for Saturday’s Senior Bowl. "The last couple years, it was a really good offensive draft. The receivers the last two years [were] as good as it’s been. The year we took Blake [Bortles] as a quarterback, we felt like that was a good year for quarterbacks.
"And offensive line, too. Getting Brandon Linder and A.J. Cann in the third round, generally drafts don’t have that depth of offensive linemen, so I feel really good about that."
He now feels good about the Jaguars’ chances of adding several quality defensive players in late April. They need a lot of help after struggling the past three seasons under coordinator Bob Babich, whom coach Gus Bradley fired Jan. 5.
Fixing the pass rush and adding a free safety with enough range to cover the width of the field are the top priorities, and those are two position groups Caldwell and the team’s scouting staff are closely scrutinizing this week in Mobile.
Helping the process is Bradley’s decision to promote defensive line coach Todd Wash to defensive coordinator. Caldwell was on board with that hire because it means the team doesn’t have to alter or adjust the scheme. Caldwell and Bradley have spent three seasons finding players that fit the scheme.
"It helps player acquisitions, but also helps our players [on the roster]," Caldwell said. "Three years of experience and knowledge in the system and seeing different looks at how teams attack us for the guys that stay and are playing for us.
"I always kind of vote for continuity if you have the opportunity to do that. That makes sense, unless the change is going to make you drastically better."
The Jaguars have eight draft picks, including the fifth overall pick, and the expectation is that the Jaguars will use at least five of those picks on defensive players. It could be even more, depending on what they’re able to do in free agency. The Jaguars are expected to target at least one pass-rusher and one free safety in March.
A perfect scenario would be Denver failing to franchise or re-sign linebacker Von Miller, but it’s more likely the Jaguars will be pursuing players such as Tamba Hali, Mario Williams or Olivier Vernon to help with the pass rush. Eric Weddle and Eric Berry are the top free agents at free safety.
In addition, Dante Fowler Jr. will join the lineup after missing his entire rookie season with a torn left ACL and defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks, who led the Jaguars in sacks in 2014 with 8.5, is expected to be completely healthy in 2016 after missing all but four games because of injuries.
"We feel good about the offense right now," Caldwell said. "Still have a ways to go there. We’re not done, by any means, offensively, but really focus on the defensive side of the ball [this offseason]. Getting Dante Fowler Jr. back is going to help us. Getting Sen’Derrick Marks back is going to help us, and then we have some cap space and eight draft picks to fix the rest of the needs."
