The second NFL Draft Target Practice of the offseason focuses on a mixture of positions. The Jaguars could use some depth upgrades at several spots.
Previous Editions of NFL Draft Target Practice: Take 1
Here are four prospects to keep an eye on during draft season:
Tyrell Crosby
Position: Offensive Tackle
School: Oregon
Height/Weight: 6-5, 317 pounds
Career Stats: Appeared in 43 games (29 starts at left and right tackle), attended Senior Bowl
Thoughts: Crosby may be the ideal offensive tackle prospect for the Jaguars entering this offseason. He has experience at both left and right tackle and has the size to play inside as a rookie. The Jaguars are likely to hang on to right tackle Jermey Parnell for another year, so Crosby would be a good fit at left guard while he awaits his turn on the outside.
According to Pro Football Focus, Crosby didn't allow a sack last season. Crosby is a nasty blocker, who packs a serious punch while coming off the line of scrimmage. He is able to mirror the movement of edge rushers, making it hard for opponents to get around him.
I would project him as a future starting right tackle and a bookend for Cam Robinson in the long-term view. I think he can be an effective left guard in the short-term, as he has enough athleticism to pull well and his ability to anchor is a strength of his overall game.
Crosby is expected to be a late first-round or early second-round pick.
Auden Tate
Position: Wide Receiver
School: Florida State
Height/Weight: 6-5, 225 lbs.
Career Stats: 65 catches for 957 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns
Thoughts: I think the Jaguars need to add some size to their red zone offense. Tate can offer up an advantage in the passing game in that aspect. The Jaguars need another "jump ball" guy and Tate fits that bill.
Tate will need to develop more as a route runner at the NFL level, but his size offers intrigue that avoids most raw players from big schools. The Jaguars already have a strong stable of speedsters with Keelan Cole, Dede Westbrook and Jaydon Mickens, so they could look to add some size to the lineup, especially if the team is unable to hang on to Allen Robinson in free agency.
Tate will probably be targeted toward the end of Day 2, making him an interesting third-round option for the Jaguars. Remember, the Jaguars like drafting in the state of Florida and Jalen Ramsey will probably give that pick a thumbs up.
Tegray Scales
Position: Outside Linebacker
School: Indiana
Height/Weight: 6-0, 230 lbs.
Career Stats: 324 tackles (46 for loss), 17 sacks, and 8 interceptions
Thoughts: The Jaguars could use some depth and competition at the linebacker position. If Paul Posluszny walks during free agency, the Jaguars' group will be very limited.
While Telvin Smith and Myles Jack have become a formidable duo, Blair Brown is the only backup with defensive experience under contract. Brown is expected to compete for a starting linebacker job this offseason.
Scales is a similar prospect to what Brown was a year ago. He is a tackling machine with the ability to blitz like a beast from every direction. He has also shown impressive ball skills, producing eight interceptions during his time at Indiana.
Along with having the greatest football name ever, Scales could provide some much-needed depth for both outside linebacker spots and compete with Brown for the strong-side job.
While Scales' size will turn some teams off, his instincts and tackling ability are off-the-charts. I think he fits long-term at SAM linebacker, which could eventually lead to Brown moving inside to middle linebacker down the road. Like Brown, expect Scales to be selected during the early rounds of Day 3.
Quenton Meeks
Position: Cornerback
School: Stanford
Height/Weight: 6-2, 195 lbs.
Career Stats: 121 tackles, 25 pass breakups, 7 interceptions and 2 defensive touchdowns
Thoughts: Meeks offers rare size at the cornerback position and he could be an intriguing depth player for the Jaguars. The son of former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks, Quenton, shows off his football savvy quite frequently in coverage. He has the ability to play in man and zone coverages and was asked to play with several different coverage techniques at Stanford.
Meeks has the ability to make interceptions and take the ball to the end zone. While he may not be a workout warrior at the NFL Combine, Meeks uses his size and speed well. He is patient and makes contested catches difficult for opposing wide receivers.
While the Jaguars already have Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye on the outside, they could use a central backup to both players. Meeks could compete with journeyman Tyler Patmon for that role, while the Jaguars figure out their nickel position.
Meeks is likely to go at some point on Day 2 of the draft.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter: @Mike_E_Kaye.