Jacksonville Jaguars 2014 NFL Draft: Trading Down?

Sep 1, 2013; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) looks to throw during the second half of play against the Ohio Bobcats at Papa John

When the Jacksonville Jaguars finally go on the clock with the third overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft they could go a multitude of ways. One of the routes that has recently been mentioned is trading down and acquiring more picks. While conventional wisdom would say just take the best available player at number 3 because the Jaguars could use help at almost every position, there is something to the notion of moving back if the value of the quarterbacks is really sliding as much as it seems.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a mock draft posted by Sayre Bedinger over at our fellow FanSided site NFL Mocks. He decided to incorporate trades and he has the Jacksonville Jaguars being very active in that regard. After sending Jadeveon Clowney to the Texans and Khalil Mack to the Rams, here’s what he has happening at number 3.

"3. Oakland Raiders (f/JAX): Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson**MOCK TRADE — Jaguars trade #3 overall to Raiders for #5 overall, #67 overall, and 2015 4th round pick**The Oakland Raiders have plenty of needs, but they also filled a lot of needs with this year’s 30-plus club in free agency. They didn’t hurt themselves for the future financially, but they need to bring in some guys that can make plays NOW because they are clearly not adding these veteran players to wait around to win. Sammy Watkins fits the bill as a player who can stretch the field, contribute as a returner, and give you blazing speed at the WR position. Why do they trade up? The Browns would take Watkins at #4 overall, in my opinion."

Interestingly enough, he has the Jaguars moving back two spots and trading with the Oakland Raiders for a 3 round pick and a future 4th. Not exactly a huge haul, but considering who went off the board with the first two picks it makes sense to move back. So who does he have Jacksonville taking at number 5?

"5. St. Louis Rams (f/JAX via OAK): Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn**MOCK TRADE — Jaguars trade #5 overall (from OAK) to Rams for #13 overall, #44 overall, and #110 overall**The Rams could wait and take what’s leftover at the OT position, or they could jump back up into the top 5 picks and get the best one in the draft. While that’s an arguable point for some, there’s no denying Robinson is a heck of an athlete, fills a void for the Rams at RT, and can be a staple left tackle in the future. Why do they make this trade? As I said before, if they stand pat at #13 overall, they could get stuck with leftovers or no one at all."

Another trade! He has the Jaguars moving down to number 13 overall for an additional 2nd and 4th round pick. At this point the Jaguars have 14 selections in one of the deepest drafts in recent memory. Still, the Jaguars moved themselves out of position to draft one of the elite prospects, and now they have to settle for a lesser player at number 13, right?

"13. Jacksonville Jaguars (f/STL): Teddy Bridgewater, QB, LouisvilleAfter obtaining additional 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round picks as well as a future pick, the Jaguars finally settle on ‘their guy’ in Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater is considered the most pro-ready QB in the draft by some, and with a little bit of pressure taken off him by this particular draft slot, Jacksonville is a place he could slowly develop and excel if given the proper time."

I would be absolutely ecstatic if David Caldwell could trade down twice and still somehow come away with Teddy Bridgewater. Far and away the best quarterback prospect in this year’s draft, Bridgewater could come in and start right away. With the trades, Caldwell now has the necessary picks to stockpile the offense with the weapons necessary to help a rookie QB succeed. It’s a pipe dream at this point, but it sure would be nice to see.

-Daniel Lago

Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89