Jacksonville Jaguar 2014 Mock Draft By Gumbussy #4 (02/25/2014)

Jadeveon Clowney tears up after being picked for the FOURTH straight time as the Jacksonville Jaguars first round pick per the Gumbussy Mock Draft. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Thanks to Fanspeak.com and their programmers, I will now give you my most updated opinion of how the draft will play out for the Jags. The simulator uses all info given by each team of their needs and picks accordingly. When the Jag picks come up each round, I am able to then pick from all available players undrafted. Let me make it clear. I choose the players I think reflected the best available at the positions most desired. I will try to perform a draft every few weeks so that hopefully, with each new bit of info released on Jag moves and players entering, my picks will become more and more educated. The combine will definitely cause the picks to change for multiple teams, thus affecting the Jags picks. Because I completed this mock before the combine is completed, I will be performing another mock later this week so you will see how the combine numbers effect the entire draft. I will show my picks with a short explanation. I will show previous picks if they have changed. I will also give a few players that I considered before I went with my pick.

Just so you understand where my mindset is, the Jags’ needs I was looking to fill were QB, RB, WR, TE, OG, C, DE, DT, OLB, & FS. Don’t forget that when free agency opens in 15 days. I was also keying on speed and punt returning abilities. I will explain further when summarizing my picks. Ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to the 2014 Gumbussy NFL Draft Version 4…The Jags are again on the clock!

Round One/ #3 – Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina, 6-5/266 lbs –Currently ranked #1 at the DE position. I think I have given my firm decision on this pick. I’m feeling a little less nervous with Clowney after he showed up at the combine eight pounds lighter and much faster than anticipated. Maybe he is taking it seriously! (Same pick as Mock Draft By Gumbussy #1 , Mock Draft By Gumbussy #2 , & Mock Draft By Gumbussy #3)

Players that tempted –

• Blake Bortles (#4 to Cleveland) & Johnny Manziel (#8 to Minnesota) – This team needs a QB. I think Bortles will be an outstanding NFL QB. I also think he could be in the Romo, Ryan, & Dalton area. Good enough to get to playoffs but incapable of winning the big game. Manziel is just a cool guy who will sell tickets, make every game exciting, and win a few games that he shouldn’t with sheer moxie. That is not the definition of a consistent NFL winner. I’ll stick with the guy that will plant these two in the ground one day.
• Khalil Mack OLB (#6 to Atlanta) – Mike Mayock of NFL.com states Mack is the best defensive player in the draft. He likes him more than Clowney. I don’t know. He played for Buffalo University. One thing I’ve noticed is the Mack had 10.5 sacks last year. Of those, 2.5 came against Ohio State, which was impressive. The remaining 8 sacks came against teams with a combined 17-56 record…including 3 against a winless Miami-Ohio team. Doesn’t seem that dominate to me. I guess we’ll see.

Round Two/ #39 – Hasean Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama, 6-1/208 lbs – Currently ranked #1 at the FS position. This appears to be an amazing athlete who has should never be available this late. Bradley’s ideal height & weight. Hard hitter but plays smart and fast. Rob Rang of CBS Sportsline compared him to Earl Thomas. Combine him with SS Johnathon Cyprien and we will definitely have the best young safety tandem in the NFL. (Tre Mason picked in Mock Draft By Gumbussy #1 & Mock Draft By Gumbussy #2/Calvin Pryor taken in Mock Draft By Gumbussy #3 – selected #24 by Cincinnati)

• No one tempted me. I just got a player currently ranked #1 at his position in the 2nd round. A position of need no less. I’m tickled pink!

Round Three/ #70 – Tre Mason, RB, Auburn, 5-8/207 lbs – Currently ranked #2 at the RB position. RB is a good pick here. Speed and power in a compact package. Came to combine about 2 inches shorter than anticipated which is why he could fall to 3rd round. His size is not a detriment. Rob Rang of CBS Sportsline compared him to Ray Rice. As long as Mason doesn’t knock out his fiance’, then I’m good with the comparison. (Daniel McCullers picked in Gumbussy #1 – Selected #114 by Pittsburgh/Kelcy Quarles picked in Gumbussy #2 – Selected #93 by New England/Bradley Roby picked in Gumbussy #3 – Selected #56 by San Francisco)

• Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB (#75 to St. Louis) I like Stanley. He’s the right height for our defense. I’m worried that there are rumblings about him being scared of contact. Overall, it doesn’t matter because I got the RB I wanted and have selected two 1st and one 2nd at their positions so far.

Round Four/ #101 – DaQuan Jones, DT, Penn State, 6-4/322 lbs – Currently ranked #10 at the DT position. – As my high school coach once described a player on an opposing team “He’s just a big-ass guy.” Put Jones in the DT rotation and watch our linebackers flourish. I’m willing to bet our rush defense would improve immediately. (Dion Bailey picked in Gumbussy #1 – Selected #109 by New York Giants/Jaylen Watkins picked in Gumbussy #2 – Selected #92 by Carolina/Kelcy Quarles picked in Gumbussy #3 – Selected #93 by New England)

• No one better than this pick.

Round Four/ #110 – Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood,  6-1/195 lbs – Currently ranked #14 at the CB position. Long, quick corner with the required height. Showed well in the Senior Bowl so is obviously on Gus Bradley’s radar. Could afford to bulk up just a little. Rob Rang of CBS Sportsline compared him to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. (Tyler Larsen picked in Gumbussy #1 – selected #161 by Houston/Jimmy Garoppolo picked in Gumbussy #2 – Selected #133 by Cleveland/Charles Sims picked in Gumbussy #3 – Selected #111 by New York Jets)

• No one better at this point of the draft after eliminating key positions already filled.

Round Five/ #132 –  Bryan Stork, C, Florida State, 6-4/315 lbs – Currently ranked #4 at the C position. Whether it’s Chad Henne or a newly minted franchise QB, we must protect the quarterback. Brad Meester was a solid center and I see this guy the same way. (Aaron Murray picked in Gumbussy #1 & #3 – Selected #138 by Jacksonville/Jordan Tripp picked in Gumbussy #2 – Selected #107 by Detroit)

• Jimmy Garoppolo, QB (#133 to Cleveland) As you will see with my next pick, I really like Aaron Murray. But there is something to be said about bringing in a QB that has no injury concerns. Everything I here about Jimmy is positive and I don’t believe he has any maladies. Will hope I didn’t pass on our future.
• C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE (#136 to Minnesota) I just want to drop Marcedes Lewis and his HUGE contract. This guy would make it easier.

Round Five/ #138 – Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia, 6-0/207 lbs – Currently ranked #8 at the QB position. I just think he will be an outstanding pro. Georgia’s pro day will be in April which should give Murray time to fully rehab his knee and show the league he will be ready by training camp. Many say he was the most accurate of the passers coming into the league. Rob Rang of CBS Sportsline compared him to Andy Dalton. (Jacob Pederson picked in Gumbussy #1 & #2 – Selected #130 by Washington/Josh Huff picked in Gumbussy #3 – Selected #145 by Pittsburgh)

• Satisfied with this pick. Needed a QB. I think at this point of the draft, he would be a steal!

Round Five/ #147 – Jordan Zumwalt, OLB, UCLA, 6-4/235 lbs – Currently ranked #10 at the OLB position. Fast. Active. Aggressive. Violent. Those are some of the words used to describe Jordan. Plays with an attitude…Something the Jags lack at times. Because of some injury concerns, he will still be available and won’t be too much of a risk. (De’Anthony Thomas picked in Gumbussy #1 – Selected #157 by Philadelphia/Bashaud Breeland picked in Gumbussy #2 – Selected #112 by Miami/Tyler Larson picked in Gumbussy #3 – Selected #161 by Houston)

• Antone Exum, CB (#149 to Green Bay) 6 foot and 220 pounds. Perfect size. Very physical and was a ball hawk his first three collegian years. Blew out his knee and missed most of last year or would be much higher ranked. Will probably play much better than his draft position.
• De’Anthony Thomas, RB (#157 to Philadelphia) Damnit!!! I’ve wanted him in every mock. Got him in a few. After watching him run at the combine, I want his talent on the Jags more than ever. He would probably help us get the first punt return for a TD in franchise history. I know. Pretty sad statement!

Round Six/ #163 – Jeff Janis, WR, Saginaw Valley, 6-3/219 lbs – Currently ranked #25 at the WR position. This player has great size because the Jags have WAY too many under six foot receivers. Deceptively fast. Went after him because even with his height he was the 12th fastest 40 time WR. Wasn’t I pleasantly surprised when after the combine 40 runs, he moved up to eighth. I want this kid! (Devon Kennard picked in Gumbussy #1 –  Selected #196 by Oakland/De’Anthony Thomas picked in Gumbussy #2 & #3 – Selected #157 by Philadelphia)

• I wouldn’t change a thing. Though I missed out on De’anthony Thomas, I got a WR almost as fast yet tall and physical enough to compete with all the six foot plus corners that the league now embraces.

Round Seven/#199 – Walt Aikens, CB, Liberty, 6-1/205 lbs  – Currently ranked #25 at the CB position. Played in the Senior Bowl, so Gus Bradley should be familiar with him. Played at Illinois his first year in college, but some legal issues forced him to transfer to Liberty. Played fantastic and was voted first team Big South rep at CB. Had 65 tackles (not afraid of contact) and 3 INTs. Could start out on special teams & rotational CB play until he’s ready to take over one of the starting positions. It’s a win-win! (L’Damian Washington picked in Gumbussy #1 & #2 – UNDRAFTED/Jake Murphy picked in Gumbussy #3 – Selected #201 by Buffalo)

Players I hope can be brought in as undrafted free agents:

• OLB DEVON KENNARD
• TE JAKE MURPHY
• OG AUSTIN WENTWORTH
• DT GARRISON SMITH
• QB JORDAN LYNCH
• RB HENRY JOSEY
• WR DRI ARCHER
• WR ALBERT WILSON
• RB ISAIAH CROWELL
• DE LANFORD COLLINS

So what have we learned from mock draft #4? With this mock, we have covered the needs at QB, RB, WR, OC, DE, DT, OLB, CB, FS, & punt/kickoff specialist. That would mean OG & TE would have to be handled via free agency. Both are pretty easy to get by those means. Seven of our ten draft picks would be players who are rated in the top ten at their positions. All together, I think it’s a strong draft. I am still hurting though from missing out on De’anthony Thomas. But I’ll have to work harder on getting him next time. I hope you will come back next time and see what happens. Please tell me what you think of Gumbussy #4.

Player ranking compiled by CBS Sportsline. Thank You.

Mock Draft #4…by Michael McDonald.

Tell me what you think on Twitter @gumbussy.