2014 NFL Draft Combine: Pass Rushers Arrive

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Jan 3, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Clint Chelf (10) reacts after being sacked by Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Kony Ealy (47) during the first half against the Missouri Tigers in the 2014 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

While the focus on Friday is the quarterbacks and their measurables, another set of players very important to the Jacksonville Jaguars are also arriving – the pass rushers. After quarterback, the Jaguars are most in need of a guy who consistently rush the passer on the edge. A lot of folks (myself included) think the Jaguars are almost certainly going to look at quarterback in the first round, but there is a possibility that general manager David Caldwell doesn’t see any of the top guys as worthy of the third overall pick. In that scenario, the Jaguars will probably take a pass rusher. Here are the guys of most interest to Jacksonville, and which round they might be available for them.

  • DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina (1st round)
  • LB Khalil Mack, Buffalo (1st round)
  • DE Kony Ealy, Missouri (1st/2nd round)
  • DE Dee Ford, Auburn (2nd round)
  • DE Scott Crichton, Oregon State (2nd/3rd round)
  • DE Michael Sam, Missouri (4th/5th round)
  • DE Aaron Lynch, South Florida (5th/6th round)
  • DT Louis Nix, Notre Dame (2nd round)
  • DT Dominique Easley, Florida (2nd/3rd round)
  • DT Will Sutton, Arizona State (2nd/3rd round)
  • LB Jeremiah Attouchu, Georgia Tech (2nd/3rd round)
  • LB Christian Jones, Florida State (2nd/3rd round)
  • LB Trent Murphy, Stanford (2nd round)
  • LB Kyle Van Noy, BYU (2nd round)
  • LB Ronald Powell, Florida (5th/6th round)

If the Jaguars eschew pass rusher for quarterback in the first round (as I expect them to), then the 2nd round and beyond is going to be key in finding someone who can get to the quarterback.

-Daniel Lago

Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89