JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 The countdown to the NFL draft is on as the opening night is just over a week out. After last year\u2019s trade up for Travis Hunter, the Jaguars are without a first-round pick for the first time in franchise history. Their first selection comes at 56 in the second round. How have the Jaguars fared in the second round before? <\/p>\n
Have the Jaguars picked No. 56 before? <\/p>\n
Yes, in 1999, Tom Coughlin drafted Florida State defensive lineman Larry Smith, a Charlton County High School graduate. We\u2019ll have more on how that pick panned out down in the story. <\/p>\n
How many second-round picks have they made? <\/p>\n
A total of 32 picks in the second round, including two in the 2021, 2014, 2004 and 1995-96 drafts. Jacksonville has been without a second-round pick four times before, including last year. The Jaguars traded last year\u2019s second-round pick to the Browns as part of the deal for Travis Hunter. <\/p>\n
Top four second-round picks<\/p>\n
These four selections are my top (and probably most Jacksonville draftniks) second-round picks in franchise history. <\/p>\n
DE Tony Brackens, Texas, 1996<\/p>\n
He spent eight years in the league and held the franchise sack record (55) until Josh Hines-Allen broke it last season. Brackens was a second-team All-Pro in 1999 when he had 12 sacks and a league-leading eight forced fumbles. Brackens\u2019 move to rip the ball from a quarterback on a rush was a move still shown in highlights today. He forced 29 fumbles and recovered 13 and also had five interceptions. <\/p>\n
RB Maurice-Jones Drew, UCLA, 2006<\/p>\n
Spent eight years in Jacksonville and made three Pro Bowl appearances. Led league in rushing (1,606 yards) in 2011, a season where he was a first-team All-Pro. Rushed for 8,071 yards, 68 TDs with the Jaguars, totals that rank second in franchise history behind Fred Taylor. <\/p>\n
No description foundDB Rashean Mathis, Bethune-Cookman, 2003<\/p>\n
The Englewood High School graduate had a hall of fame career in college and was exceptional in Jacksonville. Mathis had 30 career interceptions and took four back for touchdowns. Mathis made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and also earned first-team All-Pro honors after picking off eight passes. <\/p>\n
C Brad Meester, Northern Iowa, 2000<\/p>\n
A starter from his first game all the way through when he retired in 2013, Meester was a durable and dependable. He played all 16 games in 11 of his 14 seasons and retired as a fan favorite. Meester remains the franchise leader in games played and starts (both 209). <\/p>\n
Bottom four second-round picks<\/p>\n
Not every pick hits and here are four that had their struggles in Jacksonville. <\/p>\n
C Michael Cheever, Georgia Tech, 1996<\/p>\n
Sometimes players don\u2019t play well. Other times, injuries end things before they really get started. Cheever was selected to be the team\u2019s center of the future but lasted just 17 career games before a back injury ended his NFL career. <\/p>\n
DE Quentin Groves, Auburn, 2008<\/p>\n
In two seasons in Jacksonville, Groves started seven games and had 30 tackles and 2.5 sacks. His position here was part of a terrible draft class overall. Jacksonville traded up to draft both Groves and Derrick Harvey in the first round. Groves was traded to the Raiders for a fifth-round pick before the 2010 season. Tragically, Groves died at just 32 years old of a heart condition. <\/p>\n
DL Larry Smith, Florida State, 1999<\/p>\n