Jaguars Stay Busy on Day One of Draft
The Jaguars played let's make a deal twice on day one of the draft to address the area of the biggest concern: the pass rush.
Both first day picks were used on speedy pass rushers. Florida's Derrick Harvey was taken in the first round after Jacksonville moved up to the eighth overall spot to get him. Then it was Auburn's Quentin Groves taken in the second round, after another trade from the Big Cats.
"Two guys that can really come off the edge for us and proved pass rush," head coach Jack Del Rio said. "That was something we talked about wanting to address this weekend, and we feel like we addressed it very well this first day, and we still have work to do."
The Jaguars sent their first round pick (26th overall), two third round picks (71st and 89th overall) and a fourth round pick to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for the eighth overall pick and a chance to draft the former Gator Harvey.
Harvey started all 14 games of the 2006 season and recorded 11 sacks, and followed that up with 32 total tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 quarterback sacks and three quarterback-hurries in 2007.
"They're a 4-3 defense, that's where I think I'll fit," Harvey said. "I love rushing the passer, I love 4-3 defenses and I love the Jacksonville Jaguars."
In the second round, Jacksonville moved up six spots in order draft Groves. Sending a fifth round pick (No. 158th overall) and a seventh round pick in the 2009 draft to Tampa.
In his first three seasons for the Tigers, Groves played in 40 games finishing with 79 tackles, 23 sacks and six forced fumbles. In 2007, despite missing two games with injuries, Groves played 11 games and turned in 38 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.
The Jaguars believe that in Harvey, they have an every-down defensive end that can get after the passer, but can be solid in the run game, too. And with Groves, they get a versatile player that may play a little linebacker in addition to defensive end.
"They're two different kind of players," VP of Player Personnel James "Shack" Harris said. "Harvey is more of an every-down end. But they can both rush the passer, Groves' strength is his ability to get to get to the passer, he also has the ability with his speed and agility to play some linebacker."
The Jaguars have two picks remaining in this year's draft, both in the fifth round (the 143rd and 159th overall selections).
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