The Jaguars have very few holes to fill on their roster following their run to the AFC Championship game. The team was busy during the league's free agency frenzy, produced a value-focused draft haul and completed their offseason program relatively injury-free.
However, good teams typically remain in attack mode when it comes to upgrading their rosters. If a talented player is available, well-managed squads will do their homework on the potential addition to make sure the free agent, draft prospect or trade asset will fit into their system.
On July 11, the NFL will host its annual supplemental draft, featuring college prospects who have left their programs following the regular draft in May. This year's prospect pool features four players who could add some extra punch to the Jaguars' already strong defense.
The Jaguars have never selected a player in the supplemental draft. The idea of giving up a future pick for a prospect who will avoid a typical offseason can be a turnoff for some decision-makers. With this year's group experiencing relatively unparalleled hype, teams may be forced to invest premium picks in order to add one of the coveted prospects to their roster.
Editor's Note: The supplemental draft works differently than the regular NFL Draft. Like the regular selection process, teams are given a draft order but instead of selecting players with each pick, they are asked to bid a future draft pick on the prospect in a round-by-round order. For instance, the Cleveland Browns will have the first pick in each round. If they submit a bid for a player using their third-round pick for next offseason and no one puts in a first or second round claim, Cleveland will receive the player and loss their third-round pick for next offseason.
In 2015, the then-St. Louis Rams spent a fifth-round pick on offensive tackle Isaiah Battle. That selection was the last time a pick was used in the supplemental draft.
2018 NFL Supplemental Draft: Taking a look at all four prospects
Adonis Alexander
School: Virginia Tech
Position: Cornerback
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 207 lbs.
College Stats: 125 tackles (4.5 for loss), a sack, seven interceptions and 17 pass breakups in three seasons
Why the Jaguars should be interested: Alexander has the size the Jaguars like at cornerback. His 6-foot-3, 207-pound frame fits into the mold of Jalen Ramsey, which could make Alexander appealing as a long-term backup for the All-Pro. Alexander is a ballhawk and his impressive pass breakup and interception numbers should appeal to most teams. The cornerback reportedly had 26 scouts show up to his pro day workout earlier this month, meaning there is at least some form of interest in him.
Why the Jaguars should pass: Alexander is likely to be selected in the supplemental draft but his value may be too high for the Jaguars' taste. Sure, Jacksonville could use a long-term top backup on the boundaries for Ramsey and fellow Pro Bowl cornerback A.J. Bouye, but how much can the Jaguars really invest in the secondary?
The team has spent a ton of money on the cornerback position and allotted plenty of assets toward the safety group as well. With Ramsey's mega-extension coming soon, does it make sense to also spend a pick on a cornerback who may not play until next season?
CBS Sports Projected Draft Range: Rounds 5-7
Conclusion: If Alexander makes it to the later rounds, the Jaguars should consider tossing a future pick into the pile. You can't teach Alexander's dimensions and the Jaguars' cornerback depth isn't loaded behind the top four guys at the position.
Brandon Bryant
School: Mississippi State
Position: Safety
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 200 lbs.
College Stats: 157 tackles (3.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, five interceptions and seven pass breakups in three seasons
Why the Jaguars should be interested: Bryant is a speed demon at the safety position, posting a 4.24-second 40-yard dash time in college (ran a 4.45 on Monday, per NFL.com). Among the best players from Mississippi State's program last season, Bryant has plenty of upside at a position that could in flux for the Jaguars in the near future.
Starting safeties Tashaun Gipson and Barry Church are both making a lot of money and could be let go after this season. While the team has Ronnie Harrison waiting in the wings at strong safety, Jacksonville could look to invest long-term in the free safety position as well. Bryant could be that single-high heir apparent.
The Jaguars were among the 14 teams at Bryant's pro day on Monday, according to ProFootballTalk.
Why the Jaguars should pass: The Jaguars greatly improved their safety depth this offseason. The team brought in Cody Davis and Don Carey during free agency and drafted Harrison in the third round. Davis has impressed the coaching staff with his athleticism and special teams ability, while Carey is also a dynamo in the game's third phase. Both of those players will be active for games and Harrison is a budding star in the making at the strong safety position.
Is there really any room for Bryant at this stage of the offseason? Remember, the team also has coaching staff favorite, Jarrod Wilson, fighting for a spot as well.
CBS Sports Projected Draft Range: Rounds 4-6
Conclusion: The Jaguars have one of the better safety depth units in the league and investing even more in the position would seem to be extremely superficial at this point. Jacksonville can afford to pass on Bryant in the draft. If he makes it to undrafted free agency, the Jaguars could take a flier on him based on his athletic upside.
Sam Beal
School: Western Michigan
Position: Cornerback
Ht/Wt: 6-1, 185 lbs.
College Stats: 92 tackles (two for loss), two interceptions and 10 pass breakups in three seasons
Why the Jaguars should be interested: The Jaguars covet larger cornerbacks on the boundaries and Beal fits the bill in that department, much like Alexander. Beal, who was recruited to Western Michigan as a wide receiver, is still finding his way as a cornerback, which may actually appeal to the Jaguars, as secondary coach Perry Fewell could mold him into what he wants in a defensive back.
Beal is coming off two productive seasons at Western Michigan, a program that has blossomed over the last few years. He is also a player who could fill a need on the outside, much like Alexander.
Why the Jaguars should pass: The cost of adding Beal may turn off a team like the Jaguars. Jacksonville has a window to win a championship but they also need to prolong their odds by drafting well over the next several years. Investing a Day 2 pick on Beal could be a bit pricey for a Jaguars team that values draft choices as much as any franchise.
Beal would probably be the fifth cornerback during his rookie season, as he would need to catch up on the teachings of Fewell after missing the offseason program. The Jaguars have also invested quite a bit in the cornerback position over the last two years and are poised to put forth even more collateral with a looming mega-extension for Ramsey on the horizon.
CBS Sports Projected Draft Range: Rounds 3-5
Conclusion: If Beal slips to the fourth round or lower, the Jaguars should consider adding him as a developmental player with high upside. In the very unlikely event Beal goes undrafted, the Jaguars should jump at the opportunity to add him to the mix.
Bright Ugwoegbu
School: Oregon State
Position: Linebacker
Ht/Wt: 6-1, 226 lbs.
College Stats: 126 tackles (17.5 for loss), eight sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble in three seasons
Why the Jaguars should be interested: The Jaguars have dealt with linebacker depth concerns for the last few seasons. While most teams suffer from a similar plight, the Jaguars' lack of depth has impacted their battle for the starting SAM linebacker role.
While Blair Brown appears to be in the driver seat in that competition, his move to the starting lineup may weaken the strength of the middle and weak-side linebacker depth. Donald Payne and rookie Leon Jacobs have flashed but Ugwoegbu would give them another athletic option to back up Telvin Smith and/or Myles Jack.
Ugwoegbu showed a strong blitzing ability at the college level, producing eight sacks in three seasons. While the Jaguars have firepower when it comes to rushing the passer, having another talented linebacker for blitz packages would only make that unit stronger.
Why the Jaguars should pass: Ugwoegbu was suspended indefinitely by new Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith earlier this year. While the reason behind the suspension has yet to be made public, the actual punishment gives Ugwoegbu at least one red flag.
Like the other three players above, Ugwoegbu would join the Jaguars after missing the offseason program, which would probably lead to a significant learning curve. Using a draft asset on a player who isn't able to take advantage of the elementary portions of the offseason program seem like a "set up to fail" move, especially for a player with only 20 starts on his college resume.
Ugwoegbu was just deemed eligible for the supplemental draft on Monday, so the scouting process on him is probably behind the likes of Beal, Alexander and Bryant. That shouldn't be an issue for NFL scouts, but from the outside, it's hard to get a read on his draft projection.
CBS Sports Projected Draft Range: N/A
Conclusion: Jacksonville should pass on spending a pick on Ugwoegbu. If he becomes an undrafted free agent, the Jaguars should consider taking a flier on him.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter: @Mike_E_Kaye.