Whom The Jacksonville Jaguars Should Have Drafted

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

With the 7th overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, the Jaguars selected Byron Leftwich (QB). Leftwich was the team's starting quarterback for about three years (when healthy). He never proved to be a franchise signal caller, so a better draft pick here would have been any of these future Pro Bowlers: Troy Polamalu (S), Nnamdi Asomugha (CB), Kevin Williams (DT), Terrell Suggs (LB), Ken Hamlin (S), Anquan Boldin (WR), Osi Umenyiora (DE), Lance Briggs (LB), Jason Witten (TE) or Marcus Trufant (CB).

In the 2nd round, Jacksonville chose Rashean Mathis (CB) and was a good selection because he is the Jaguars' best play maker in the secondary. The Jags drafted Vince Manuwai (OG) in round 3. Manuwai has been a starter for nearly every game in his career (when healthy), so this is another good draft choice by Jacksonville.

George Wrighster (TE) was taken in the 4th round of the draft and was a disappointing pick since he is mainly a bench player. Jacksonville should have grabbed Asante Samuel (CB) or Terrence McGee (CB). With another 4th round selection, the Jags selected LaBrandon Toefield (RB). Toefield was also a player that saw limited action on the field. A more valuable draft pick here would have been Robert Mathis (DE) or Dan Koppen (C).

The Jacksonville Jaguars had two more draft choices in round 6. They drafted Brandon Green (DE) and David Young (S). Both were terrible selections since Green only played three games for the Jags and Young never played one game for Jacksonville. Better options here would have been Cato June (LB) and Tony Romo (QB). Romo, along with Kris Dielman (OG) and Antonio Gates (TE) were all undrafted in 2003. Any team could have drafted these players or signed them as free agents after the 2003 NFL Draft. The Jaguars obviously left three key pieces of their offense off their roster.


Summary Of Players The Jacksonville Jaguars Should Have Acquired In 2003

Troy Polamalu
Asante Samuel
Robert Mathis
Cato June
Kris Dielman
Antonio Gates
Tony Romo

The Jaguars drafted Reggie Williams (WR) with the 9th overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft. Williams has been a huge disappointment because he has yet to develop into an elite receiver. Jacksonville passed on bigger talent like Tommie Harris (DT), Ben Roethlisberger (QB), Jonathan Vilma (LB), Shawn Andrews (OT), Will Smith (DE), Vince Wilfork (DT) and Chris Snee (OT).

The Jacksonville Jaguars picked Daryl Smith (LB) in the 2nd round. Smith has been a starter for most of his career with the Jags, but bigger play makers like Bob Sanders (SS) and Darnell Dockett (DT) were still available. Greg Jones (FB) was added to the roster with the Jaguars' second round 2 draft choice. Jones has missed quite a bit of playing time during his first five seasons with the Jags. The team should have picked Nick Hardwick (C) or Chris Cooley (TE).

In round 3, Jacksonville drafted Jorge Cordova (LB) and was a bad draft choice since he played in only 15 games (no starts) during his more than three-year career with the Jaguars. Jacksonville would have been better off selecting Matt Schaub (QB) or Nathan Vasher (CB).

With two draft picks in round 4, Jacksonville selected Anthony Maddox (DT) and Ernest Wilford (WR). Maddox only played in seven games for the Jaguars during his two-year stay and Wilford wasn't much of an impact player during his four-year career with Jacksonville. Better draft picks here would have been Jared Allen (DE) and Michael Turner (RB).


Summary Of Players The Jacksonville Jaguars Should Have Acquired In 2004

Ben Roethlisberger
Darnell Dockett
Chris Cooley
Nathan Vasher
Jared Allen
Michael Turner

1. Maurice Jones-Drew
2. David Garrard
3. Matt Jones
4. Josh Scobey
5. Fred Taylor

Matt Jones (WR) was taken in the 2005 NFL Draft with the 21st overall pick. Jones wasn't the elite play maker Jacksonville thought they were getting. At 6'6", Jones is a huge red zone target, yet the most touchdowns he has scored in any one season was five (his rookie year). The Jaguars could have drafted a bigger star player like Roddy White (WR), Lofa Tatupu (LB), Michael Roos (OT), Frank Gore (RB), Nick Collins (S), Justin Tuck (DE) or Logan Mankins (OG).

The Jaguars, in round 2, picked Khalif Barnes (OT) and has been a starter for most of the games he has played in, so this is a good selection. In the 3rd round, Jacksonville chose Scott Starks (CB). Starks is only a role player, so this is another wasted draft pick by the Jags. Jacksonville should have drafted Marion Barber III (RB) or Brandon Jacobs (RB).

Alvin Pearman (RB) was taken in round 4 and was only with the Jags for two years and never started a game. Trent Cole (DE) was still on the draft board. Jacksonville added Gerald Sensabaugh (S) to their roster in the 5th round. Sensabaugh hasn't been the most productive player on the field. A better draft selection here would have been Jay Ratliff (DT).

Round 6 brought Chad Owens (WR) to the Jaguars team. Owens played in only five games over a three-year span with Jacksonville. Josh Cribbs (KR) was still on the draft board (in fact, he went undrafted in 2005).


Summary Of Players The Jacksonville Jaguars Should Have Acquired In 2005

Roddy White
Brandon Jacobs
Trent Cole
Jay Ratliff
Josh Cribbs

In the 2006 NFL Draft, the Jaguars picked Marcedes Lewis (TE) with the 28th selection. Lewis has not been impressive yet in the NFL. He just doesn't record a lot of stats. Jacksonville would have been better of drafting Greg Jennings (WR), Devin Hester (KR), DeMeco Ryans (LB), Nick Mangold (C) or Marcus McNeill (OT).

The Jaguars finally made an excellent selection in round 2 worthy of a 1st round draft choice: Maurice Jones-Drew (RB). He's a small guy (5' 7"), but Jones-Drew is definitely a big-time play maker. In the 3rd round, Jacksonville drafted Clint Ingram (LB) and in his first three years, has not been productive. A better draft choice here would have been Owen Daniels (TE), Brandon Marshall (WR) or Leon Washington (RB).

Brent Hawkins (DE) was selected in round 5 of the 2006 NFL Draft. Hawkins was not a play maker and only survived two years with the Jaguars (never starting a game in that time frame). Antoine Bethea (FS) was still available.

Round 7 brought two more draft picks to the Jaguars roster: James Wyche (DE) and Dee Webb (CB). Wyche never played a game for the Jags and Webb played only one year and never made a name for himself. Better options at this point in the 2006 NFL Draft were Cortland Finnegan (CB) and Marques Colston (WR).


Summary Of Players The Jacksonville Jaguars Should Have Acquired In 2006

Greg Jennings
Owen Daniels
Antoine Bethea
Cortland Finnegan
Marques Colston

Terrible draft picks in the 1st round of the NFL Drafts have stunted the success of the Jaguars team. Better draft selections (ultimately adding Pro Bowlers) would help this franchise play deep into the playoffs for years to come.

The Jacksonville Jaguars "dream team" listed below is based on draft choice locations and franchise needs. The Jaguars are known for running the ball and their defense and both could have been improved with the team they could have drafted.

Tony Romo (QB)

Maurice Jones-Drew (RB)
Michael Turner (RB)
Brandon Jacobs (RB)

Roddy White (WR)
Brandon Marshall (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)

Antonio Gates (TE)
Chris Cooley (TE)

Dan Koppen (C)
Kris Dielman (OG)
Vince Manuwai (OG)
Khalif Barnes (OT)

Jared Allen (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)
Jay Ratliff (DT)

DeMeco Ryans (LB)
Jonathan Vilma (LB)
Cato June (LB)

Asante Samuel (CB)
Rashean Mathis (CB)
Cortland Finnegan (CB)
Nathan Vasher (CB)
Troy Polamalu (S)
Bob Sanders (SS)
Antoine Bethea (FS)

Josh Cribbs (KR)