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Predicting the Impact of Every Jacksonville Jaguars 2015 Draft Pick

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Predicting the Impact of Every Jacksonville Jaguars 2015 Draft Pick

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Rather quietly, the Jacksonville Jaguars had a successful 2015 NFL Draft and a productive offseason altogether. However, that needs to translate into success on the field, and to make that happen, Jacksonville is going to need immediate contributions from its young players. Let's take a look at what the Jaguars can expect from their 2015 draft picks.

Dante Fowler, First Round

Dante Fowler
Kim Klement - USATODAY Sports

Dante Fowler, First Round

Dante Fowler
Kim Klement - USATODAY Sports

Unfortunately, the Jaguars won't be getting anything out of Fowler in his rookie year. Fowler would have been the dynamic pass rusher that Jacksonville needed so desperately, but after a torn ACL he will be stuck on the sidelines all season and the Jaguars will have to find a way to put pressure on the quarterback without him.

T.J. Yeldon, Second Round

T.J. Yeldon Alabama
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T.J. Yeldon, Second Round

T.J. Yeldon Alabama
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On Draft Day, Yeldon immediately became the most talented running back on Jacksonville's roster. He has a great opportunity to win the starting job over the likes of Denard Robinson, Toby Gerhart, and Bernard Pierce. There's no reason for Jacksonville not to put Yeldon in the rotation at running back, and if he can avoid fumbles, he'll get more carries as the season goes on and potentially push for a 1,000-yard season as a rookie.

A.J. Cann, Third Round

A.J. Cann South Carolina
Jeff Blake - USATODAY Sports

A.J. Cann, Third Round

A.J. Cann South Carolina
Jeff Blake - USATODAY Sports

Cann will find himself in the middle of a fierce battle for a starting spot at offensive guard during the preseason. To get into the starting lineup, he'll have to push veteran Zane Beadles out of the way, which may not be easy. But Cann has the tools to start right away, so if he gets his chance, whether through injury or otherwise, he may easily take the job and run with it.

James Sample, Fourth Round

James Sample Louisville
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James Sample, Fourth Round

James Sample Louisville
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Sample is on the depth chart behind last year's second round pick Johnathan Cyprien, and an injury will keep him on the sidelines through the start of the season, but he may get a chance to play this year. Jacksonville figures to move a lot of defensive backs in and out of the lineup, giving Sample a chance to make an impression and earn more snaps. Also, if Cyprien can't improve in his second season, Sample's playing time may increase.

Rashad Greene, Fifth Round

Rashad Greene Florida State
Rich Barnes - USATODAY Sports

Rashad Greene, Fifth Round

Rashad Greene Florida State
Rich Barnes - USATODAY Sports

Greene makes a nice addition to an already young and talented receiving corps in Jacksonville that includes 2014 draftees Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee. With improvement from those two players and the return of leading receiver Allen Hurns, it may be tough for Greene to crack the rotation early in the year. But Greene will get a chance to see time as a return specialist, and he's talented enough to make an impact if he gets on the field.

Michael Bennett, Sixth Round

Big Ten Championship - Ohio State v Wisconsin
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Michael Bennett, Sixth Round

Big Ten Championship - Ohio State v Wisconsin
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Getting Bennett so late in the draft is a big win for the Jaguars. With Sen'Derrick Marks working his way back from injury, Jacksonville needs another big body on the defensive line, which should put Bennett in the rotation at the start of the season. Bennett appears to be a good fit for Jacksonville's defense, and adding another interior pass rusher is rarely a bad thing for a team, especially a player with the upside of Bennett.

Neal Sterling, Seventh Round

Neal Sterling
Twitter

Neal Sterling, Seventh Round

Neal Sterling
Twitter

Sterling's role could be limited, as he's raw and appears to be a wide receiver-tight end hybrid, so it may be difficult to find ways to get him on the field, especially with a deep contingent of tight ends, most notably free agent signing Julius Thomas. Sterling's size may give him a chance to be a player like Thomas, although he obviously has a long way to go to get to that level.

Ben Koyack, Seventh Round

Ben Koyack Notre Dame
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Ben Koyack, Seventh Round

Ben Koyack Notre Dame
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Koyack was an odd pick for Jacksonville at the end of the draft, as they had already taken three offensive skill players. The Jaguars are also in relatively good shape at tight end, so not only could the team have used this pick on another position, but Koyack faces a relatively steep hill if he expects to make the roster and see the field this season.

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