The Jaguars finished dead last in the NFL in both total offense and passing yards during their disappointing 2011 season, and young quarterback Blaine Gabbert's pronounced struggles were compounded by a glaring dearth of playmakers at wide receiver. Though the team took steps to solve that problem with the signings of veterans Laurent Robinson and Lee Evans, it would surprise no one if general manager Gene Smith reels in a young pass- catcher in the first few rounds, and Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon could be an especially tempting option if he's still available at Jacksonville's No. 7 overall slot. Smith's main goal figures to be landing a defensive end who can pressure the quarterback, however, as lineman Jeremy Mincey was the only member of last year's squad with more than 3 1/2 sacks, and Clint Session's injury history and Daryl Smith's looming free agency makes outside linebacker a possible target area. Gene Smith has shown a preference for small-school, off-the-radar prospects in the past, so look for that trend to continue in the later rounds.
2011 Record: 5-11
Top Needs: DE, WR, LB
First Three Picks: No. 7, No. 38, No. 70
Number of Selections: 7 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2011 - Blaine Gabbert (QB, Missouri); 2010 - Tyson Alualu (DT, California); 2009 - Eugene Monroe (T, Virginia); 2008 - Derrick Harvey (DE, Florida); 2007 - Reggie Nelson (S, Florida); 2006 - Marcedes Lewis (TE, UCLA); 2005 - Matt Jones (WR, Arkansas); 2004 - Reggie Williams (WR, Washington); 2003 - Byron Leftwich (QB, Marshall).
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