The Jacksonville Jaguars earned mostly rave reviews for their 2015 NFL Draft class, but its success as a group will be defined by the performances of the team's first three picks.
2015 NFL depth chart: T.J. Yeldon and Denard Robinson will battle for starting job with Jaguars
The first three draft picks for the Jaguars all have the chance to start in 2015, but they have to unseat incumbents first.
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After taking a defensive player with the third overall selection, the Jaguars kept it mostly on the offensive side of the ball for the remainder of the draft. Five of the team’s seven picks after Dante Fowler were on offense, including both of the team’s Day 2 selections.
Fowler, running back T.J. Yeldon and offensive guard A.J. Cann all represent players who could start immediately for the Jaguars, but first have to unseat incumbents to do so. That could be a difficult proposition for all three players.
Running back
Toby Gerhart disappointed as a free agent acquisition in 2014, tallying only 326 yards and two touchdowns for the team. Those struggles were placated some by the emergence of Denard Robinson, who showed himself to be a reliable starter with 4.3 yards per carry and four touchdowns last season.
Robinson's best fit might be as a change-of-pace back, though. Insert T.J. Yeldon, who is built to be the three-down back and could be a starter right away. Grabbing that spot would mean beating Robinson for the role and climbing to the top of a crowded depth chart that also features Storm Johnson and Bernard Pierce.
Guard
The Jaguars intended to go in a different direction in the third round, but couldn’t pass on the value of A.J. Cann. After earning plenty of experience at South Carolina, Cann is as NFL-ready as they come, but there isn’t a spot where he can easily step in.
His best fit is at left guard, which currently features Zane Beadles. The 2014 free agent acquisition wasn't terrible in his first season with the Jaguars, but didn't quite live up to the large contract that pulled him away from the Denver Broncos. Cann will likely have his best chance at the starting lineup if he can snag a spot from Beadles and start with second-year guard Brandon Linder, who appears to be the favorite at right guard.
Defensive end
The third overall pick is going to get snaps, no doubt, but the Jaguars rotate often along the defensive line. They also have Chris Clemons playing in the team's LEO role, a pass-rushing specialist position, that allowed Clemons to tally eight sacks for the Jaguars in 2014.
Clemons is a seasoned veteran who was one of the original molds for the LEO position, and Fowler will have to be impressive early to send the former Seattle Seahawks pass rusher to the bench. Fourth-year defensive end and 2012 second-round pick Andre Branch has also shown steady improvement through his career and will factor in the battle.
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