At a glance: Jacksonville survived free agency pretty decently, losing defensive end Malik Jackson but acquiring franchise quarterback Nick Foles. The team addressed pressing needs on the offensive line and at tight end in Rounds 2 and 3 of the draft. But the team didn't improve its wideout position this off-season -- leaving the offense a bit one dimensional.
The Jags certainly had more pressing needs than edge rusher before the draft but grabbing such a talent as Josh Allen seventh overall is a bargain. Allen should ease the transition from Calais Campbell when the team moves on from the 32-year-old defensive end in the next couple of seasons. But with Campbell still playing at a very high level, the move only improves an already Top 5 defense ahead of 2019.
Jacksonville surely couldn't believe its luck when offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor fell to the second round. Taylor was ranked by many as a Top 10 player in the draft and will be immediately plugged into an O-Line that surrendered third most sacks (53.0) last year. But weight and injury concerns were what caused Taylor to fall in the draft, so proving his reliability will be as big a challenge for Taylor as adjusting to the professional game in Year 1.
But a large part of Jacksonville's failures in 2018 was its lack of play-making pass catchers, ranking seventh-worst in passing yards. Tight end Josh Oliver will certainly help the stat, but he alone can't fix it. Wide receiver Donte Moncrief left in free agency and left a collection of wideouts that haven't broken 900 yards in a season individually. Defensive need only stop the run game against those kind of rosters.
DRAFT PICKS (per ESPN)
1.07 Josh Allen OLB
2.03 Jawaan Taylor OT
3.05 Josh Oliver TE
3.34 Quincy Williams S
5.02 Ryquell Armstead RB
6.05 Gardner Minshew QB
7.21 Dontavius Russell DT
ORIGINAL COVER PHOTO: Associated Press
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