JaguarMaven week 5 mailbag: Questions on the running game, Quincy Williams, draft needs and more

Each week following a Jacksonville Jaguars game, JaguarsMaven will take Jacksonville Jaguars-related questions from our readers across social media and answer them in a question-and-answer format, giving readers a chance to have their voices heard.

You can submit your questions every week by tweeting them to the JaguarMaven twitter handle or our Facebook page.

This week's questions focuses on linebacker Quincy Williams play, potential NFL draft targets, and more.

Question from @minshewville: You think the run game is good again or Denver had a bad day?

Answer: I think the run game is better than it showed in the second and third weeks of the season but probably not as good as it was against Denver, so my answer is somewhere in the middle.

I think Leonard Fournette is playing with a new focus this season and has legitimately made big jumps as a player. The difference in the running game production vs. Denver was that the offensive line simply played better. The positive thinking is if they showed the ability to do it once, they should be able to get some of that type of production again.

Question from @DevInHere: I know before the season started the team was really excited about Quincy Williams and him stepping into the void left by Telvin Smith. How has he done filling that role?

A: As someone who was fairly skeptical of third-round rookie linebacker Quincy Williams being able to step into a starting role and produce right off of the bat, I will be the first to admit that Williams has largely done a nice job this season. Has he been perfect? Of course not. But he has flashed a lot of ability and starter quality traits that show why the Jaguars thought so highly of him.

In Telvin Smith's 2018 season, he struggled a lot in pass coverage but still made splash plays in the run game. So far, Williams has done more of the same and his level of play has been close to what Smith's was last year. And Williams is a rookie only a month into his NFL career, as opposed to a fifth-year linebacker coming off a massive contract extension.

Question from @McDanielsland: Your way too early 1st rd pick want?? I’m day dreaming about adding 1 of those WRs to Minshew’s crew.

A: As you said, it is super, super early. But as of today, I think defensive back could be an early add. I am assuming Jalen Ramsey isn't in their long-term plans, Tre Herndon hasn't solidified himself as a future piece yet and A.J. Bouye's future is also murky.

So, with that in mind, two of my early guys to target are cornerbacks Cameron Dantzler from Mississippi State and Jaylon Johnson from Utah. Both guys have a lot of physical talent and had great 2018 seasons, and so far have looked good in 2019.

I could see wide receiver too, but I think that could also be a position the Jaguars target later due to DJ Chark's emergence.

Question from @1MalcWilliams: How concerned should we be with Tre Herndon? Is he bad or did he just have a bad game against Denver?

A: Tre Herndon's week 4 game against the Denver Broncos was unquestionably a poor performance. Joe Flacco picked on him all game and tossed two of his three touchdowns against him. But I am not ready to hit the panic button on Herndon quite yet.

It is worth remembering that he is a second-year player who was starting only his second-ever NFL game. In his first start, he did very well. Second one? Very poor. That is life as a young and developing player. I think Herndon should get a few more chances before people bail, despite how bad Sunday was.

Question from Devin Smith: Expectations for O-line improvement as the year continues?

A: I think it is fair to expect the Jaguars will get better plays out of their two offensive tackles, Cam Robinson and Jawaan Taylor, as the season goes along. Each is still a young and developing player and should improve as the season goes along.

As for the interior of the line, this one could be more tricky. I think Brandon Linder is better than what he has shown in weeks 2 and 3, while I am really high on Will Richardson at right guard. The question marks are A.J. Cann and Andrew Norwell because of their inconsistency. And because of that, it is hard to put a finger on what my expectations are for them improving or not.

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