Jaguars Reddit Mailbag: Sky-high Expectations for 2016

It’s been a while since we’ve done a Jaguars mailbag, featuring the good folks over at Jaguars reddit. But with the 2016 NFL Draft in the books, and everyone clamoring over the Jaguars selections, I thought it would be a good time to answer some mailbag questions. The buzz around the franchise is the best its been in recent memory, so we received a lot of submissions this week. Let’s get into it.

AROUND COVER32

Power Rankings: Where each team stands after the draft

NFL Draft 2016: Five teams that killed it

NFL Draft 2016: Recapping all seven rounds

NFL Draft 2016: Grading each first round pick

NickSabanFanBoy asks,

1. If you’re Todd Wash, where the hell do you even begin when it comes to planning schemes for this defense? There’s so much versatility and talent (on paper) that it must be mind boggling to scheme different looks, different blitzes packages, our d-line rotation, etc.

   This is a good problem for Wash to have. I’m not going to pretend that I know what’s going on inside of Wash’s brain, but here’s what I do know. The best players are going to play. Competition during the preseason and training camp is going to be fierce at almost every defensive position because there’s so much depth. And for that reason alone, I wish we got Hard Knocks.

2. Who on the defense do you not see making the cut for the 53 man roster?

Well, I would be surprised to see Dwayne Gratz make the final roster. As a UConn grad, I probably should have more sympathy for him, but he was horrific last season, like jaw-dropping-ly bad. People have been floating around Sen’Derrick Marks as a potential drop, but I just don’t see it. He was dominant in 2014, and injuries really derailed 2015 for him. If he can stay healthy, he should return close to 2014 form in a rotational role. Other than that, I could see McCray getting dropped once Colvin comes back in Week 5.

3. Post draft/FA, the only “hole” I see on this team is the KR spot. It’s a wide open competition, but who do you expect to win the job?

Denard Robinson, Bryan Walters or Corey Grant. I could also see Nick Marshall getting some looks back there.

4. The question on everyone’s mind: who wins the kicker competition in camp? Jason Myers or our UDFA out of TCU Jaden Oberkrom?

For the love of god, I hope it’s not Myers. But I suspect it will be. No one in the NFL is working on extra points more than Jason Myers this offseason.

___________________________________________________

Glowingdeer78 asks,

Do we officially slap the BUST tag on Joeckel after the Jags declined his 5th year option?

I hate the ‘bust’ title, and I don’t think it’s fair to label Joeckel as one. He’s been a starter since the day he was drafted. When I think of a bust, I think of Ryan Leaf, or JaMarcus Russell. Players that flaired out of the league entirely after only a few seasons. People forget that Joeckel only gave up seven sacks last year, five of those coming in one game. With that being said, the image of J.J. Watt bulldozing through Joeckel with ease in Week 17 will forever be ingrained in my brain.

___________________________________________________

Johnnyliar11 asks,

We open with Green Bay, San Diego, Baltimore, and Indianapolis. What do you expect our record will be after those games and going into our bye week? Would a disastrous 0-4 start be the end of Gus Bradley?

I would be content with 2-2. Green Bay is going to be tough in Week 1, but it’s at home and I’m sure we’re going to try and make a statement to start the season. San Diego, Baltimore and Indy (in London) are all winnable games. And to answer your last question, if Bradley were to get fired at any point in the season, after Week 4 would be the most sensible time. We have a bye week in Week 5, and coaches that start poorly haven’t fared well in returning from London after a loss.

The post Jaguars Reddit Mailbag: Sky-high Expectations for 2016 appeared first on Cover32.