2014 NFL Mock Draft – Jacksonville Jaguars Stay Local

Dec 7, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Blake Bortles (5) celebrates his touchdown with offensive linesman Chris Martin (70) against the Southern Methodist Mustangs during the second half of an NCAA football game at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. UCF Knights won 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

As the season comes to a close, mock drafts are popping up more and more. The Jacksonville Jaguars once looked like a lock for the first overall pick, but a recent string of wins has moved them to third overall where their decision becomes much more interesting. Right now the Jaguars appear to have the choice between the best available player in Jadeveon Clowney, or the best available quarterback.

Here’s what Sayre Bedinger over at our sister Fansided NFL Draft site NFL Mocks had the Jaguars doing with their first round pick:

"3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Blake Bortles, QB, UCFThe Jaguars dip into the pool of local players and take Blake Bortles here at #3 overall. I think this would be a great fit. Bortles is a guy who has taken a team in UCF from nothing to one of the top 20 teams in the country. He’s got great toughness, and is everyone’s flavor of the day right now. He’s one of the hottest names in the 2014 class."

Blake Bortles has been rocketing up mock drafts around the web and for good reason – he has one of the best overall skill sets in this draft class. The improvements he’s made from last year are significant and his performance against strong competition this year has showcased his ability to play against NFL level talent.

Bortles has a lot of people talking and one NFL team told Peter King that he’s their top quarterback in this year’s draft. I’m still a big fan of Teddy Bridgewater and still think the Jaguars should take him if he falls in their lap, but the gap is not nearly as big as it was earlier in the year. The bowl games and how the quarterbacks perform could really shake up the big board and may leave Bortles as the top QB prospect. For  now, he’s a close second to Bridgewater.

– Daniel Lago

Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89