Jaguars Don’t HAVE To Draft A QB At 3

For some reason everyone is under the impression that the Jaguars MUST draft a quarterback with the third overall pick. There are plenty of options right? Teddy Bridgewater. Johnny Manziel. Blake Bortles. If the Jaguars draft one of these, it doesn’t matter who, then they most certainly will be going to the playoffs in 2014 and on to the Super Bowl right?

That seems to be the general consensus and the pulse of fans around the great city of Jacksonville. Yup. Everyone knows that last year was a weak year for quarterbacks with Geno Smith and E.J. Manuel headlining the likes of a very forgettable and stale class of rookie signal callers.

Dec 28, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) reacts after being presented with MVP trophy for the Russell Athletic Bowl after defeating the Miami Hurricanes at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

With so much draft information coming out at such an astounding rate, it’s really difficult to tell what is reliable and what’s not. One minute Bridgewater is the best, most accurate passer ever. The next, he doesn’t possess the right frame to play at the next level. One minute Manziel has playmaking ability the likes of which we have never ever seen, ever, ever, ever. The next, he’s a loud mouth showboat who doesn’t have what it takes to play in the NFL. One minute Blake Bortles is a mix of Andrew Luck and Ben Roethlisberger. The next he’s just a one year wonder who played at the University of Central Florida who doesn’t offer a large enough sample size.

UUUUUGGGGHHHH!

The Jaguars have had problems at quarterback for a very long time, but the entire roster has been broken for equally as long. Jacksonville is not a quarterback away from being a playoff team.

I know it’s hard to wrap our heads around, but the team (for the first time in too long) is in capable hands with David Caldwell. If he does not believe that there is a quarterback at three overall who is worthy of the pick, then guess what? It ain’t happenin’. Now I know this will cause a mass panic and quite possibly a riot in every single living room and sports bar in Duval and many will be prepared to ransack Everbank, but to those people I say to you…

How would you like another Blaine Gabbert?

That’s right. How would you like another Blaine Gabbert? What? No? You wouldn’t? Me neither! The last thing this franchise needs is another top 10 quarterback bust!

This quarterback class has been touted as a little bit “over hyped” by sources, and if you want to listen to how great this crop of rookie quarterbacks will be, then one must also listen to the opposite end of the spectrum. This NFL personnel man, whoever he may be, has compared this year’s group of rookie quarterbacks to the great rookie quarterback class of 2011. The class of 2011. The class that brought us not only Cam Newton and Andy Dalton (2nd round) and Colin Kaepernick (2nd round)…but also Jake Locker (1st round), Christian Ponder (1st round) and Blaine Gabbert. Hmmm…..

Whiffing on a quarterback in the first round due to reaching is the absolute worst thing that can happen to your team. That is what has happened to the Jaguars, Titans and Vikings.

As stated before, the Jaguars are in good hands. If the team ends up drafting a Manziel, Bridgewater, or Bortles I will not be upset. That will mean that Caldwell believes that one of those guys is the truth and the way and that’s well and good. If that doesn’t happen at three and if we end up drafting someone else, or end up trading down for more picks sticking to the “build through the draft” mantra I’m fine with that too.

The draft is not an exact science. There will be more misses than hits, and if Caldwell does not believe that one of the top three quarterbacks is worth the third pick, then we as fans must trust that this is the best course of action for the Jags.

-David R. Johns