



JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser examines last week's first week of the offseason program – and Friday's 2016 pre-draft luncheon – before a week that will help shape the Jaguars' future …

A lot to like

David Caldwell spent the 2016 pre-draft media luncheon being vague. That was as expected.

But if there was a clear takeaway from last week around the Jaguars – from Friday's luncheon to the non-pursuit of Josh Norman – maybe it was this:

With the lo-o-o-ong wait for the 2016 NFL Draft mercifully almost over, Caldwell – in his fourth offseason as the Jaguars' general manager – appears to like a lot about the roster. He certainly appears to like it more than he did his first three offseasons.

That stands to reason. The roster, after all, shouldbe better than before, but it's obvious Caldwell really believes it is. That's why he could do a couple of things that raised eyebrows – and ire – among some fans last week.

The first was he didn't overpay Norman, whose two-day free agency ended when he signed with the Redskins Friday. The Jaguars' lack of an offer – or much of an effort – mystified many Jaguars fans. How could Caldwell not pursue the All-Pro cornerback?

Caldwell's response was he didn't believe Norman to be worth what he was asking – and that Norman wouldn't make the Jaguars better enough to merit the signing. Within that was the implicit belief that Norman wouldn't be a major upgrade – and because of that, there was no reason to overpay.