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Free agency has finally winded down, and full focus is on the NFL Draft.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to pick at No. 5, and the Jaguars have quite a few solid options set to presented to them.
But which of those options has been the most commonly mocked player to the Jaguars so far, especially in the wake of a busy free agency period that saw the Jaguars invest multiple signings into the offensive line, secondary, and pass-catching group.
So, who is the most mocked player to the Jaguars a month before the draft? Going by Pro Football Focus' estimation, it is an easy answer: Michigan defensive tackle Maaon Graham.
"An explosive interior defender with an elite first step, Graham combines excellent bend and flexibility with fast, powerful hands. His devastating push-pull move makes him a nightmare for blockers, while his strength allows him to anchor and hold the line effectively," PFF said.
Graham has been the most mocked player to the Jaguars for sometime; when PFF ran this same exercise before the combine. And on the surface, it makes plenty of sense.
For one, Graham seems to fit a lot of the things the Jaguars' are looking for from a leadership, production and athletic stand point.
There is also the fact the Jaguars have a serious need at defensive tackle. They have a few players at the position already in Arik Armstead, DaVon Hamilton, Maason Smith, and Jordan Jefferson.
But despite these players, the Jaguars are still looking for a long-term answer at the position. They hope Smith can develop into that player, but Graham is a blue-chipper who is set to be drafted a whole round earlier than Smith was.
The Jaguars notably didn't spend any money in free agency at the defensive tackle -- or any -- front seven position. Jaguars general manager James Gladstone made it clear following free agency, too, that there is a rhyme and reason to why the Jaguars did not invest in certain positions.
“Yeah, we’ve got 10 picks in this year's draft. We're going to have to have some spots that are actually open for them to insert," he said earlier this month.
"So, if you add a veteran at this point, could be just standing in the way. We're going to allow these rookies to get a chance to get out on the field and help us this coming fall."
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More must-reads:
- Browns' Shedeur Sanders addresses controversial Dillon Gabriel comment
- Urban Meyer pushes for Chargers or NFL to suspend Jim Harbaugh
- The 'NFL QBs with the most games started' quiz
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Urban Meyer pushes for Chargers or NFL to suspend Jim Harbaugh
Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer thinks the Los Angeles Chargers or the NFL should take it upon themselves to punish Jim Harbaugh. On Aug. 15, the NCAA punished Michigan for violations connected to the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal. Harbaugh received a 10-year show-cause order. During Wednesday's episode of "The Triple Option" podcast, Meyer compared Harbaugh's situation to that of Jim Tressel in 2011. Meyer argued that the league or the Chargers should suspend Harbaugh, like the Indianapolis Colts did to Tressel. "There's an elephant in the room here, boys, though, that no one's talking about," Meyer said. "When Jim Tressel was fired at Ohio State and he was given a suspension, Roger Goodell, commissioner of the National Football League, came out and said that, 'We're going to honor that suspension.' And you remember, he went to the Indianapolis Colts to work in the replay room or something. "The Colts, because of the respect they had for the NCAA and the suspension, you realize suspended Jim Tressel? So he was unable to perform his duties for the first six games of the year for the Indianapolis Colts. I think we all know the answer. Any chance that Roger Goodell and the NFL, of course not. And I don't know why." There is a belief that Harbaugh bolted to the Chargers after winning the national title in 2023 because he knew the NCAA was getting ready to punish the Wolverines. A six-game suspension is not comparable to a 10-year show-cause order, and punishing Harbaugh so lightly would be more symbolic than substantive. Frankly, it's bad business for the league to suspend Harbaugh and to connect the outspoken head coach to a trivial scandal that happened in college. Punishing Harbaugh would draw unwanted attention to the Chargers and the league, who knew what happened before he jumped to the NFL before the 2024 season.
Browns 'trust' Dillon Gabriel more than Shedeur Sanders for a very good reason
The Cleveland Browns seemed to say plenty regarding their feelings about rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders when they repeatedly listed Gabriel above Sanders on unofficial depth charts throughout August. Sanders played well in Cleveland's preseason opener at the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 8 when Gabriel was recovering from a hamstring injury. Gabriel then received his opportunity to shine in the Aug. 16 preseason matchup at the Philadelphia Eagles when Sanders was dealing with an oblique issue. For a piece published on Thursday, Jason Lloyd of The Athletic suggested that the stats from those contests show "the Browns trust Gabriel more than they do Sanders" heading into their Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7. "The Browns used pre-snap motion 45 percent of the time with Gabriel against the Philadelphia Eagles," Lloyd wrote. "They used it 31 percent of the time in Sanders’ game against the Carolina Panthers, according to TruMedia data. On third downs, that increased to 63 percent for Gabriel and plummeted to 18 percent for Sanders." The Browns selected Gabriel in the third round of this year's draft before they made a trade to take a flier on Sanders at overall pick No. 144. Against the Panthers, Sanders completed 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. To compare, Gabriel connected on 13-of-18 passes for 143 yards with a pick-six against the Eagles. He was also credited with a lost fumble. "Gabriel was three of four on [tight-window throws] against the Eagles, according to NextGen Stats, and two of those turned third downs into first downs," Lloyd added. "Sanders was zero for four on tight-window throws against the Panthers." It's worth noting that none of this matters as of publication. Veteran Joe Flacco will serve as Cleveland's Week 1 starter, and the Browns seem serious about having Flacco, Gabriel, Sanders and backup Kenny Pickett on the active roster through at least a portion of the upcoming season. The trade deadline will arrive on Nov. 4. Lloyd mentioned that "a fear that Sanders may develop elsewhere" is a reason the Browns are holding onto the former Colorado star when they prefer Gabriel. As of now, Sanders is on track to continue his development while working in the Browns film room as an unused quarterback throughout the fall.
Bill Belichick takes another shot at Patriots owner Robert Kraft
It is no secret that the relationship between Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft has been strained since Belichick left the New England Patriots. Belichick took an obvious shot at Kraft and the Patriots owner's son, Jonathan, who is the president of the team, during an interview with Ben Volin of the Boston Globe that was published on Thursday. Belichick is preparing for his first-ever season as a college coach with North Carolina. When asked what he has noticed that is different about coaching in college versus the NFL, Belichick insinuated he has enjoyed not having to answer to any members of the Kraft family while doing his job in Chapel Hill. "It’s a much more cohesive, and I’d say unified, view of what we’re trying to do and how we’re trying to do it," Belichick told Volin. "It’s a lot of football, and there’s not much in your way. "There’s no owner, there’s no owner’s son. There’s no cap, everything that goes with the marketing and everything else, which I’m all for that. But it’s way less of what it was at that level." Shots fired. There is no way to interpret that other than a criticism of Robert and Jonathan Kraft. Had Belichick left it at not having to answer to a team owner, you could make the case that he was speaking generally about the NFL. The fact that he added in "owner's son" makes it obvious he was referring to his old bosses, as both Robert and Jonathan are hands-on with the Patriots. Belichick is almost certainly bitter over the way his tenure in New England ended following the 2023 season. He coached the Patriots for 24 seasons and won six Super Bowls, so he likely felt he should have been given more time to turn things around in the post-Tom Brady era. The Kraft family preferred to move on after a 4-13 campaign. Though Belichick insists he is solely focused on the upcoming UNC season, this is not the first time in recent months that he has gone out of his way to throw a jab at Robert Kraft.
'Look out for this dude': Former NFL exec has warning about unexpected SEC quarterback
Steelers have unexpected solution as exciting new trade target emerges
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver room had excited the fan base with the thought of DK Metcalf and George Pickens. However, Pittsburgh made the stunning decision to trade Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, deciding that the headaches surrounding his attitude and maturity were no longer worth the talent he brought on the field. While the move shocked Steeler Nation, it left the offense in a new position. Now, all eyes are on Aaron Rodgers and Metcalf to form a lethal duo. A report has emerged detailing Rodgers' "different" type of impact on the Steelers offense, but questions remain about the depth behind them and whether Pittsburgh has enough reliable playmakers to balance the passing attack. Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson will be tasked with stepping into larger roles in 2025, but their consistency will be tested against elite AFC defenses. Austin has flashed big-play ability, yet durability and reliability have been concerns. Wilson, meanwhile, has impressed in early practices with his speed and precise route running, but as a “redshirt” second-year player, expectations must be tempered. Pittsburgh has long relied on developing homegrown wideouts, but with the team’s Super Bowl window tied to Rodgers’ short tenure, the urgency to add proven production is greater than ever. That’s why many Steelers insiders believe general manager Omar Khan may not be finished building this roster. On social media, Steelers media personality Chris Mueller revealed that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce could be available. He believes he actually is available already, which could be a huge win for Khan and the Steelers. "Indy's Alec Pierce is evidently available," Mueller shared to his social media following on Thursday. "I'm absolutely picking up the phone if I'm Omar Khan. Led NFL in YPC last year. Very similar skill set to Pickens. Big downfield threat. I think could turn into a good WR2 long-term." At just 25 years old, Pierce is an intriguing target with size, athleticism, and untapped potential. Mueller has urged Khan and the Steelers to pick up the phone and call the Colts, noting that Pierce could immediately bolster depth and provide another trustworthy option for Rodgers, who just received a public apology from one of his teammates. With preseason battles heating up and the AFC loaded with firepower, the idea of adding Pierce to a Metcalf-led receiver room is something that would certainly energize Steelers fans once again. The idea of Khan pulling off a trade to land Pierce is certainly an exciting thought. He’s not yet a household name in the NFL, but over his three seasons in the league, Pierce has shown impressive downfield ability and the skill to stretch defenses. While he isn't as talented as Pickens was overall, he does bring a similar vertical presence that forces opponents to respect the deep ball. Steelers seriously should try to land Alec Pierce Pierce is coming off a 2024 season where he caught 37 passes for 824 receiving yards and scored seven touchdowns. What stands out the most from that campaign is his remarkable 22.3 yards per catch, which led the league and shoes how dangerous he can be when stretching the field. Over his three seasons in the league, Pierce has managed to average 17.6 yards per catch, consistently ranking among the league’s best deep threats. Statistically speaking, he is very similar to Pickens in that regard, making him an intriguing replacement candidate who could give the Steelers the kind of explosive element they lost when they dealt away their young star receiver.
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