Despite losing Dante Fowler in rookie minicamp, the Jaguars showed promise in 2015 due to the impressive play of their youngsters. Although the stellar 2014 class (Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns) is largely responsible for Jacksonville's uptick, the team should be encouraged by the performance of the 2015 rookies. T.J. Yeldon is a potential star as a versatile workhorse with exceptional skills as a runner and receiver. He quietly amassed over 1,000 total yards from scrimmage (740 rushing, 279 receiving) despite logging just 12 starts. If he remains healthy in 2016, Yeldon should be a household name by season's end. Rashad Greene looks like a keeper as a receiver/returner. Although the Jaguars' deep WR corps limited his opportunities as a pass catcher, Greene flashed explosive talent as a catch-and-run specialist on the perimeter -- and he added 18 punt returns for 301 yards and a score. On defense, the Jaguars have an intriguing set of guys to develop with James Sample, Michael Bennett and undrafted free-agent signee Nick Marshall earning minutes as backups throughout the season. Marshall, in particular, shows potential as a cover corner and kick returner (26.6 yard average). With more reps on the island, Marshall -- who was a star quarterback at Auburn -- should be able to carve out a role as a nickel corner down the road. Grade: B
Combine focus: The Jaguars, who'll pick fifth on draft day, desperately need a dynamic playmaker on the perimeter to solidify a secondary that must create more turnovers. Thus, Gus Bradley will encourage his coaches to closely monitor Florida State's Jalen Ramsey, Florida's Vernon Hargreaves, Ohio State's Vonn Bell and Boise State's Darian Thompson to see if they can make immediate contributions as ball swipers in the back end. Despite Fowler's impending return as a pass-rush specialist, the Jaguars could consider adding another quarterback hunter like Ohio State's Joey Bosa, Oregon's DeForest Buckner, Eastern Kentucky's Noah Spence and Georgia's Leonard Floyd. With athleticism coveted at a premium, their workouts will attract interest from Jacksonville officials.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000636989/article/afc-south-rookie-grades-texans-jaguars-build-titans-have-qb
That's a really fair assessment. Had Fowler played this would have been a home run draft class for the Jags.
