Blog - Newbie Pro News

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Zoney, I guess I don’t get it. Maybe I’m stupid. All I hear about is how bad the Jaguars’ offensive line is and how Coach Liam wants to be a better run team. So why not just take the best offensive lineman early?

This is a fair question, and it makes sense to take an offensive lineman no matter the lineman – in theory. And there is a sound school of thought that if the Jaguars want to become a line-centric team – and to be dominant on the offensive and defensive fronts – they need to start emphasizing the areas in the draft at some point. Following that same reasoning, why shouldn’t that point be now? Sooner rather than late, right? That’s the theory, but you execute the NFL Draft in reality – and the reality is you can’t force an elite prospect to be available at a certain selection just because you want one to be available. The Jaguars are selecting No. 5 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft – and when you’re selecting in the Top 5, you want to select players you love and that you believe have a chance to be All-Pro players and perhaps Hall-of-Fame players someday. When it comes to the draft, you better be taking value over need. Why wouldn’t the Jaguars select offensive lineman at No. 5? The reason would be that they don’t see an offensive lineman there with that value. And if that’s their belief, that’s more than a valid reason. It’s the only responsible decision.

How many NFL drafts have you covered?

Thirty. My first NFL Draft was the Jaguars’ first draft, which was the 1995 NFL Draft. That was the draft in which the Jaguars selected left tackle Tony Boselli No. 2 overall. Boselli is now the Jaguars’ executive vice president of football operations, which means this is sort of a “full-circle” draft for him. And for me, I suppose. It also means I’m old, which isn’t as much breaking news as it is depressing.

What are you? Some kind of instigator?

Everyone and their brother knows the Jaguars are taking Graham at No. 5. Except you. Why are you so stubborn?

This question doesn’t seem to fit the O-Zone requirement of being nice – and while we all know how important is to be nice, I guess being honest matters, too. Or at least trying to be honest. And the reason I’m not saying I “know” the Jaguars will select University of Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham No. 5 overall is because I honestly don’t know if they will be doing so. While it’s true that “everyone and their brother” in the mock-drafting world seems locked in on him as the Jaguars’ likely election there, my sense is that it’s more accurate that he is among a small group of players who could be selected there. I would put Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty in that group. And perhaps Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. And Georgia linebacker/edge Jalon Walker. And perhaps another player or two, too. Could it be Graham? Sure. Is he a lock? No. Am I being stubborn? Perhaps, but at least I’m being nice. At least a little. Or not. Whatever.

JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL

John – I have been the recipient of several unexpected “Duuuvalls on the streets of New York when sporting Jags gear. They come few and far between, but always put a smile on my face. The “Duuuvall” greeting is one of the fun parts of being a Jags fan.

J.Hooks from Orange Park, FL

I loved the Tony interview. Great work. Do you expect Big Bo to be in the draft room for the entire draft? My understanding is he doesn’t deal with personnel decisions. Will he just be an observer then or will he have input?

I do expect Boselli to be in the draft room and around the process throughout the entire draft next week. I expect he will observe the process and offer input when appropriate.

In my opinion, Godzilla wouldn’t have much for Eugene “Kaiju” Frenette. Gene runs a laser-timed 2.9-second 400yard dash, but once he begins running on all fours he approaches cheetah speed in three bold and explosive strides.

Longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. “Gene” Frenette was not a member of the early-1980s pop/new wavish band “Kajagoogoo.” Make no mistake: They wanted him, and he nearly appeared as a cameo in their iconic MTV hit video, “Too Shy.” It was ultimately decided that his hair was simply too cool and “eighties” for the video and would overshadow the rest of the band – and Gene and the boys from Kajagoogoo parted ways amicably. Upon rereading your question, I see that you wrote “Kaiju,” not “Kajagoogoo.” Nevertheless, the story should clear up any confusion.

KOAF: Being semi-retired, I enjoy this time of year as I peruse the many websites that rank players for the upcoming draft and develop my own “wish list” for the Jags. After reviewing our current roster, and the available talent, we would do well by selecting Mason Graham at No. 5. We could also do well by trading down, selecting Kenneth Grant or Walter Nolen at defensive tackle. The latter approach would land us another draft pick (likely in the second round), which we could use to select a high-quality interior lineman (such as Jonah Savaiinaea or Tate Ratledge). We have at least three corners who are true burners (Tyson Campbell (4.37 seconds), Jarrian Jones [4.38], De’Antre Prince [4.38]. What we lack at cornerback is height/length. That is why I really hope our leaders are looking seriously at Darien Porter, cornerback, Iowa State (6-feet-3, 4.3 40-yard. Have you heard any rumors from the brain trust as to whether Porter is seriously on the radar screen?

Porter is projected as a third-round(ish) selection, which is a touch deep in the draft/specific for quality info or even a pre-draft rumor. Porter is really fast and developed as a player throughout his collegiate career. I expect the Jaguars will focus more on on-field production than measurables and traits – and to one of your earlier topics, I expect the Jaguars to be open to trading down. If they can find a trade partner. Which isn’t always a given.

Zone, now that the tush push is still legal, why can’t it be used on defense? What’s to stop a linebacker from pushing a tackle into the offensive line to collapse the pocket? I like it, Zone. What say you?

There’s nothing in the rules to stop it, though that tush-pushing linebacker would have to get his own tush back off the line in a hurry to cover a running back’s tush out of the backfield. Which might make this concept difficult to execute.

As to the recent queries regarding former No. 20 whose name is not spoken aloud in this house, there are two types of fans. Those like myself that appreciate a sense of integrity and strong moral fiber. And those who care only about winning. Yeah, I get it. We’re fans, it’s what we do. As far as said No. 20 returning to the Jaguars, it’s important to remember that when he left here, he burnt some pretty major bridges behind him, specifically with ownership. So yeah, that ain’t gonna happen. It wouldn’t actually surprise me if he doesn’t get a trade out of Miami and if he does it could be the first in a series of one-year deals similar to what happened with Yannick Ngakoue. Though not quite the one trick pony, former No. 20 was better in zone than Ngakoue was against the run, but he was never quite elite there. And he has never liked having to play it. Bottom line, this is a guy who is always likely to bail when things don’t go his way so again, ain’t gonna happen.

Former Jaguars cornerback and current Miami Dolphins’ cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s name is spoken often and written in these parts. The Jaguars aren’t going to trade for him. I wrote and said often when the Jaguars traded him in 2019 that despite his high-end talent he likely would finish his career never having really been identified with a particular franchise – and that he likely would play on shorter deals as his career approached its end. This is common for cornerbacks and seems Ramsey’s likely fate.

Don’t draft running backs in the first round. That is something I believe and have heard Boselli and CBS Sports NFL analysts Pete Prisco say for years. Now I’m hearing Prisco say the Jags might consider it this year. What is the world coming to?!

Never ever ever ever say never.