The Jaguars have a future star in cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Unfortunately, he’s Jacksonville’s only top 10 pick trending in that direction. (Photo by Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
It’s been nearly a decade since the Jaguars last reached the postseason. Only the Rams, Browns, Raiders and Bills have longer droughts. If you need answers to as to why the playoffs have eluded Jacksonville, look no further than their 1st round picks.
The Jaguars have made a top ten pick in each of the last nine NFL Drafts, including a top 5 pick in each of the last five. Not even the Cleveland Browns can claim such a feat. I know what you’re thinking, if the Jaguars keep picking in the top 10, they must be missing on those picks. You’d be correct. Take a look at their top picks in the last nine drafts:
2008, 8 Derrick Harvey – out of the league at age 25.
2009, 8 Eugene Monroe traded 4 games into the 2013 season. Retired from Baltimore this past summer.
2010, 10 Tyson Alualu – Still with Jaguars, but when your 2nd contract is only 2 years/$6 million it’s safe to say you’ve underachieved as a top 10 pick.
2011, 10 Blaine Gabbert – Went 5-22 as a starter in 3 years with the Jaguars. Moved on to San Francisco where he was benched for Colin Kaepernick two weeks ago.
2012, 5 Justin Blackmon – Played one full season before suspensions began piling up. Last played four games in 2013.
2013, 2 Luke Joeckel – Jaguars did not pick up his option this offseason. Got moved to left guard this past training camp. Now on IR. Not a great return on a 2nd overall pick.
2014, 3 Blake Bortles – A solid NFL QB, but his stats are notoriously bloated by garbage time production. His record as a starter through 3 seasons is 10-25. Jury still out.
2015, 3 Dante Fowler Jr. – Missed entire rookie season after ACL injury in mini camp. Jaguar fan base hasn’t exactly fallen in love with Fowler through the first 6 games of his career.
2016, 5 Jalen Ramsey – Been projected as the next Richard Sherman. Had the stones to talk trash to Steve Smith. After being ejected in the 4th quarter last week against the Raiders, Ramsey was adamant that he’d do it again because he, “won’t be disrespected.” So yeah, he’s talented, fearless, and bit too crazy for his own good right now.
That’s nine top picks and not a single All-Pro nod or Pro-Bowl appearance. In fact, since the Jaguars drafted Derrick Harvey in 2008, the franchise has posted a 41-93 record. Their best season was an 8-8 finish in 2010. They haven’t won more than 5 games a year since. The franchise is on its second GM since the streak of top 10 picks began. They’ve fired two coaches and their current coach (Gus Bradley) is 14-40 through four seasons.
There’s an old saying about 1st round picks getting coaches fired. As good as Jalen Ramsey looks, I’m not sure he can save Bradley’s job. It looks like yet another top 10 pick is on the horizon for the Jaguars. TITANS If I were Charles Barkley; Titans -3.5