At LT, Jags pick up a Cam engine
JACKSONVILLE — Selecting No. 34 in Friday night’s second round of the NFL draft, the Jaguars chose Alabama offensive lineman Cam Robinson, a player projected by most as a first-round player. He joins LSU’s Leonard Fournette as the Jaguars’ first two draft picks.
The Jaguars traded up one spot with Seattle to get Robinson. They gave up No. 35 and No. 187 (sixth round).
“There were some talk of [another team moving ahead of the Jaguars],” general manager Dave Caldwell said. “We had a sixthround pick and we felt like the value was there. We feel he can be an eventual starting tackle.”
But then Caldwell made news.
What position Caldwell: “Left tackle.” What does this mean for Branden Albert?
Caldwell: “They’ll compete.”
Is this a reaction to Albert not showing up for the off-season program?
Caldwell: “I wouldn’t say it’s a reaction but we have to make sure we cover all of our bases.”
Caldwell added of the left tackle spot: “Anytime you have competition, it’s a good thing. The best players will be in play.”
Albert has declined to show up for the first two weeks of the off-season program and hasn’t communicated with coach Doug Marrone.
The Jaguars were clearly sending a message to Albert that even though the sessions are voluntary, it would behoove him to start making an appearance. Caldwell said the Jaguars will “never” re-work Albert’s deal to get him to report.
A contingent of Jaguars for Robinson? personnel traveled to Alabama last week to work out Robinson.
“I was impressed with the movement skills and the ability to move for somebody who is 320 pounds,” Marrone said. “I wanted to get a feel for his footwork and how well he could move.”
Caldwell shot down the idea of Robinson sliding inside to guard. Last month the Jaguars traded a 2018 seventh-round pick to Miami for Albert.
Robinson allowed only 10 sacks at Alabama, facing some of the nation’s best pass rushers (first-round draft picks Myles Garrett, Derek Barnett, Charles Harris, etc.) on a weekly basis. He allowed only one sack in 15 games in 2016.
Robinson was arrested in May 2016 on drug possession and gun charges in Louisiana, but the charges weren’t pursued.
Although the Jaguars are expected to address mostly offensive needs in the three-day draft, they chose Illinois defensive end Dawuane Smoot in the third round. Jacksonville took Smoot with the 68th overall pick, leaving it with four picks today. He totaled 137 tackles and 161⁄2 sacks in 44 games for the Fighting Illini. He will start his NFL career playing behind veteran Calais Campbell.
“I'm ready to learn and work as hard as I can for the team,” Smoot said.