2014 NFL Mock Draft – Championship Weekend

September 15, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) celebrates a sack against the UAB Blazers in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

With the conference championship games this weekend, we get the privilege of seeing 4 terrific quarterbacks square off for a chance to play in the Super Bowl. On the opposite end of the spectrum are the teams who finished with poor records in the regular season and are preparing for the 2014 NFL Draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of those teams and they may be faced with a tough decision at third overall. Should they take one of the top quarterbacks or snag the best available player if Clowney is there?

Here’s what Justin Rosenberg of NFL Spin Zone has the Jaguars doing in his latest mock draft.

"Number 3: Jacksonville Jaguars – Jadeveon Clowney DE – South CarolinaWhile the Jaguars could draft a quarterback at this position, I think they will go with Clowney. Other than Andrew Luck, they aren’t really in a division with great quarterbacks. If the Texans do draft a quarterback, look for the Jaguars to draft Clowney. Defense is the most important part of any team and the Jags defense would improve dramatically if they snag a talent like Clowney."

While I wouldn’t be disappointed if David Caldwell opted for Clowney, I don’t really understand the logic of not taking one of the quarterbacks. Most mock drafts where the Jaguars pass on a quarterback have the Browns and Raiders taking the remaining signal callers. If Bortles or Manziel are worth the 4th and 5th pick, why wouldn’t one of them be worth the 3rd overall pick to a team that is just as needy for a quarterback?

There is a lot of time left before the draft and the evaluation of the quarterback prospects could dramatically change the landscape at the top of the draft. Cam Newton didn’t start showing up at the top of mocks until shortly before the draft and Matt Barkley was projected as a first round pick until he got picked apart in the draft process.

Still, I expect the Jaguars to leave the first night of the draft with their new quarterback of the future.

– Daniel Lago

Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89