Jacksonville Jaguars 2014 NFL Draft: Predicting the First Round
By Daniel Lago
Nov 30, 2013; Columbia, MO, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) rolls out against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
The first round of the NFL Draft usually gets the most play leading up to the big day and for good reason – the first round is the best chance for a team to make a significant improvement immediately at a position of need. More specifically, the best chance to get a franchise quarterback is in the first round. Like a handful of other teams, the Jacksonville Jaguars are in dire need of a franchise signal-caller.
Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union had a few interesting notes this morning about the situation the Jaguars are in with their current draft selections.
If #Jaguars stay at 39, they are at best getting 4th pick at QB because Hou, Clev and Oak will have picked one by then.
— Hays Carlyon (@HaysCarlyon) May 7, 2014
So, if the #Jaguars stay at 39, there could be five QBs already off the board. Would they feel comfortable with the sixth option?
— Hays Carlyon (@HaysCarlyon) May 7, 2014
0.001%. Should be top priority. RT @wemcneal: What would you say the percent chance is they wait until Round 3 to draft a QB? #Jaguars
— Hays Carlyon (@HaysCarlyon) May 7, 2014
Carlyon believes the Jaguars will already have a quarterback by the time the 3rd round rolls around, and he also thinks waiting until pick 39 might not work out so well. In all, I think there are 12 possible spots in between picks 3 and 39 where quarterbacks could realistically come off the board:
4. Cleveland Browns
5. Oakland Raiders
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8. Minnesota Vikings
11. Tennessee Titans
20. Arizona Cardinals
24. Cincinnati Bengals
26. Cleveland Browns
33. Houston Texans
35. Cleveland Browns
36. Oakland Raiders
38. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Cleveland Browns have 3 opportunities to draft a quarterback in that span and they are almost certainly going to do so with one of those picks. Likewise, the Houston Texans are almost a lock to pick up a quarterback at the top of the second round.
I do believe the Jaguars will address quarterback before the 39th pick, but it all depends on if they can move around.
If they stay at 3 and take someone like Sammy Watkins, I think David Caldwell will keep an eye on the board and look for an opportunity to trade back into the first round and get his guy. If the Jaguars manage to entice a team to trade up to number 3, I expect them to take their quarterback at their new spot.
The real question is whether or not the Jaguars are considering taking a quarterback at number 3. While I think they should, I would be mildly surprised if they do given the grumblings in the media over the past several weeks.
My official prediction is they manage to find a partner to trade down – maybe the Atlanta Falcons or Buffalo Bills – and they pick up Teddy Bridgewater or Johnny Manziel. So that definitely won’t happen.
Either way, I think Jaguar fans should pay close attention throughout the first round. The Jaguars may pop up and draft a quarterback at any point.
-Daniel Lago
Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89