The tenth pick is in and SB Nation’s Jaguars community, Big Cat Country, has selected....
NFL Mock Draft, Pick 10: Jaguars Select Joe Haden, CB Florida
Florida CB Joe Haden
Although Joe Haden is the best available player at this point, it is always better to match value and need.Rashean Mathis still has enough left in the tank, and Derek Cox played well enough last year. Earl Thomas would make more sense from a need standpoint, but what is he worth the No. 10 pick overall?
Even with Kampman, the pass rush needs more talent. That’s how inept Jacksonville’s current group of pass rushers have been. Jacksonville is a team with several pressing needs. Cornerback is certainly not one of them. I understand why a team like Jacksonville would be gun shy about Thomas after Reggie Nelson has regressed. But Thomas has the skills to be as good as Eric Berry.
From Alligator Army’s Haden player profile:
Can read the receiver or quarterback and breaks quickly on the ball while it is in the air. Very fast, especially when closing. Cuts well, too. Haden’s long arms can pop receiver at the line or reach back for a deflection. Very smooth when rolling into coverage or coming in on a blitz or run plays.I’ve gotta go with MTD on this one. Haden is a good value at this point but Jacksonville has so many pressing needs -- namely getting to the quarterback. While it’s important to take the best player available early in the draft, it’s also important to match that up with a need.
With that said, it’s hard to knock the pick too much. This would be considered a slide for Haden and cornerback is one of the few positions at which you can’t have enough talent.
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