text: Redskins Draft Receiver Taylor Jacobs - Midland Daily News
  https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Redskins-Draft-Receiver-Taylor-Jacobs-7155924.php
  Redskins Draft Receiver Taylor Jacobs
  Steve Spurrier just can't stay away from those Florida Gators.
  Stung by the failures of his former college players last year, Spurrier couldn't believe Florida receiver Taylor Jacobs was still available when the Washington Redskins had their first pick Saturday in the NFL draft.
  Owner Dan Snyder made Jacobs the No. 44 overall selection, even though the coach was expressing some draft-room hesitation.
  "Certainly _ that's why ultimately Dan Snyder made the final call," Spurrier said. "I wasn't going to make it."
  Spurrier has conceded that one of his mistakes in his rookie NFL season was to sign too many of his former college charges. Jacquez Green, Reidel Anthony, Chris Doering, Shane Matthews and Danny Wuerffel were all disappointments for the 7-9 Redskins, and none are expected to be back this year.
  But Jacobs was considered by many to be first-round material. The Redskins said they might have considered taking him at No. 13 overall, if they hadn't given that pick to the New York Jets last month for restricted free agent Laveranues Coles.
  "I had to say, 'Forget he's from Florida. Just grade him on his ability as a player.' Some of the other Florida guys didn't work out _ that's got nothing to do with Taylor Jacobs," Spurrier said.
  "It doesn't matter right now where he went to college."
  Receiver was not at the top of the Redskins priority list. Spurrier said there was discussion about using the pick on a safety _ the team's biggest need.
  "If Taylor Jacobs had not been available, we wouldn't have drafted a receiver with this pick," Spurrier said.
  Jacobs caught 71 passes for 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns last season. In his junior year, he was the MVP of the Orange Bowl against Maryland, catching 10 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns in Spurrier's final game as Florida's coach.
  Normally, a player of Jacobs' talent would be considered a strong candidate for a starting job on opening day, but the Redskins already have Coles and Rod Gardner as their uncontested two top receivers. Jacobs will compete against Patrick Johnson, Cliff Russell, Darnerien McCants and Justin Skaggs for playing time as the third or fourth wideout, a position that gets a lot of use in Spurrier's pass-orientated offense.
  Spurrier said Jacobs was "a little in the dumps" after dropping to the second round, but the player's mood was lifted when he learned he'd be playing for his former college coach.
  In third round, at No. 81 overall, the Redskins chose offensive lineman Derrick Dockery of Texas. Spurrier said defense was again considered, but the players the team wanted most at safety or linebacker had already been taken.
  Dockery played mostly guard for the Longhorns, but his massive frame _ 6-feet-6, 347 pounds _ makes him suitable to groom as a backup for starting tackles Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen.
  "He fell into our lap," offensive line coach Kim Helton said. "We had him ranked very highly. Sometimes you just get lucky."
  The Redskins entered the draft with just three picks _ in the second, third and seventh rounds _ because they were so active during the free agency period. Draft selections were given up for Coles, running back Trung Canidate, kick returner Chad Morton, safety Matt Bowen and defensive tackle Jermaine Haley.