2019 NFL Mock Draft: Jacksonville Jaguars get some protection for Nick Foles

Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida

With the Seventh Pick in the NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select…

You know what, wait a second. Before I tell you the pick (which I will pretend was not obviously given away by the picture at the top of the article), I am going to tell you the basis for making this pick first.

I made this pick for Nick Foles. You know, Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles. The Man, the Myth, the Legend: Nick Foles! I made this pick as a thank you to Nick as one last going away present. I made this pick in what I deem to be in the best interest of Nick Foles. We all love Nick Foles. If you don’t love BDN, you are probably a Cowboys fan… or Tom Brady. A vote for this pick, is a vote for Nick Foles. And I know you all love Nick Foles, so I anticipate 100% approval for this selection.

My shameless appeal for votes aside, I do think this is an obvious selection for the Jaguars; and apparently so does almost every single mock drafter out there. I know traditional draft logic states you do not draft for need, but I do believe this is the rare occasion where need and BPA collide into the same pick.

With that sentiment in mind, let’s dive on in. With the Seventh Pick in the NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select, Jawaan Taylor, Offensive Tackle, University of Florida.

Let’s start with the Jaguars. The Jaguars entered the offseason with two major issues that needed to be addressed: QB and offensive line. (They also have a major hole at Tight End but I am not wasting the 7th pick overall on a Tight End). The Jaguars addressed the former issue by signing Nick Foles, Philadelphia Legend and Slayer of Belichick, making a very healthy financial commitment in the process, which resulted in some cap casualties. Thank you, Jacksonville, for Malik Jackson!

Which leaves us with offensive line. The Jaguars were a mess on the offensive line in 2018, with several players suffering major or nagging injuries throughout the year. While they have a potential left tackle in Cam Robinson, his more natural fit would be right tackle and he’s coming off an ACL injury. Not a great start. Injuries to Brandon Linder and Andrew Norwood left the Jaguars offensive line battered, bruised, and largely ineffective as a unit. In total, there were seven offensive linemen who started at least 1 game for the Jaguars last year that will not be back. That should give you a taste for how decimated they were as a unit. At a minimum, the Jaguars need help at both Tackle and Guard, and their offseason moves along the line have been, well, uninspiring. (I am looking at you Cedric Oghbuehi).

Enter Jawaan Taylor. Jawaan Taylor has the potential to be a truly elite tackle in this league because he has the ability to match up against any type of defensive end. That is primary due to his rather unique skill set. Jawaan Taylor is 6’5” 335 pound juggernaut, who is surprisingly quick for a man of his size. His strength and size make him very difficult to move if an end tries to bull-rush him. His quick feet and length help him against ends who try to beat him with speed. That speed also allows him the ability to break out to the second level, where his excellent body position allows him to consistently square up defenders on the move. And when he gets leverage on a defender, and he often does, he doesn’t just stop the defender in his tracks. He drives right through them, opening up big holes for the running game.

But where Jawaan truly excels is his football IQ. Jawaan is not the type of linemen who simply does his job, he knows the scheme, he knows his role and everyone else’s role in a blocking assignment. This allows him to stay disciplined in his assignment, helping to create a cohesive unit. Something the Jaguars desperately need. His football IQ, combined with his unique combination of strength, speed, and size, makes him a fit in almost any offensive line system.

There are areas about his game that will need to be improved at the next level. As a prospect, he’s a bit raw. He will sometimes let fundamentals slip in his game. For example, while he has great bend at the knees, a skill that gives him his tremendous leverage, he sometimes slips into bad habits like waist bending, giving up that leverage. Likewise, his hand positioning will need to be refined at the next level. While he has a heavy hand and tremendous grip strength, he has a tendency at times to use wide swings to try and latch a defender, which prevents him from consistently hitting his target and locking in. But once he has you locked in, good luck getting out. His unique combination of speed and strength, however, will mask those deficiencies. With good coaching he will be an elite tackle.

Jawaan is a multi-tool offensive linemen that will help shore up an already banged up line. If there is anything our Super Bowl run proved, it’s that Nick Foles behind a strong athletic line can do significant damage. I mean look at this man!

Are you going to allow this man to operate behind a patchwork line? To become target practice for the likes of JJ Watt? Of course you won’t! Doesn’t Nick, after all he’s done for us, deserve a little protection? Of Course he does!

My shameless pandering to BGN readers – the smartest, most passionate fan base in all of SB Nation – aside; Jawaan Taylor is the clear pick for the Jaguars. They need elite talent on their offensive line but they do not have the cap space to do it. Jawaan Taylor’s talent, build, and IQ give him an incredibly high ceiling as a prospect, and his natural talent can cover any initial deficiencies in his game.

Remember, a vote for Jawaan, is a vote for Nick. I trust you will make the right decision.

2019 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Cardinals (Philliesandthebees): Kyler Murray

2) 49ers (SakPrescott): Nick Bosa

3) Jets (thealien2696): Quinnen Williams

4) Raiders (SisyphusNoMore): Josh Allen

5) Buccaneers (EAGLESBSU): Montez Sweat

6) Giants (ablesser88): Dwayne Haskins

7) Jaguars (20Safety_Hazards): Jawaan Taylor

8) Lions (89Tremaine):

9) Bills (drc242):

10) Broncos (ItownBallers22):

11) Bengals (Phoenix X Maximus):

12) Packers (Palaniappan K M)

13) Bengals (wildcatlh):

14) Falcons (Happy24):

15) Washington (roberticus0):

16) Panthers (Triumph McCloud):

17) Giants (KevinDont):

18) Vikings (Eagles701):

19) Titans (Big Schmoopie):

20) Steelers (J. Wil):

21) Seahawks (NickfoleonDynamite):

22) Ravens (GMinTraining):

23) Texans (EaglesRock94)

24) Raiders (SummersInVA):

25) Eagles (I Need a Username):

26) Colts (Nolo0oo):

27) Raiders (SLC Eagle):

28) Chargers (LBCeaglesFan!):

29) Chiefs (Boxer Madness):

30) Packers (Kephas):

31) Rams (Matthieuck):

32) Patriots (Zett_66):

Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think the Jaguars should pick in the 2019 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.

2019 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft

1) Cardinals: Kyler Murray

2) 49ers: Nick Bosa

3) Jets: Quinnen Williams

4) Raiders: Josh Allen

5) Buccaneers: Montez Sweat

6) Giants: Dwayne Haskins

7) Jaguars: