Jacksonville Jaguars Way Too Early 2015 NFL Mock Draft

Sunday night’s Hall of Fame game between the New York Giants and the Buffalo Bills marked the official start of the 2014 NFL season, so naturally it’s time to look ahead at the 2015 NFL Draft.

Hopefully the Jacksonville Jaguars will be improved enough in 2014, to the point where we will not have to start looking ahead to the draft until after the season is over. Still some people like Erik Lambert over at NFL Mocks are complete maniacs and are already putting together mock drafts for the 2015 event. To his credit, Lambert only mustered up enough courage to compile a projection of the first 10 picks, and he happens to think the Jaguars will be selecting 5th overall. He doesn’t really provide any justification for the draft order, so one is led to assume this is just his guess on how the teams will finish. I think it would be relatively surprising if the Jaguars are selecting in the top 5 again in 2015, but to each their own at this point.

With the Jaguars taking their quarterback of the future in Blake Bortles in 2014, Lambert has the Jaguars looking at a pass rusher in 2015.

"#5 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Vic Beasley – OLB – ClemsonFilling the LEO linebacker role has remained atop the to-do list for the Jacksonville Jaguars going on three years now.  Obviously other issues come first but this time may prove the most advantageous for head coach Gus Bradley, especially if he can get Vic Beasley.  The Clemson standout jumps out on tape.  He’s fast with a great first step and knows how to beat blockers to the quarterback.  His versatility will only help him in the pros."

Had he declared for the 2014 draft, Beasley likely would have been a top 10 pick. He’s a classic tweener – not big enough to play 4-3 defensive end and he hasn’t shown the ability to cover in space as a linebacker. Ideally he’s a 3-4 OLB, and I’m not sure the Jaguars will take him if a guy like Leonard Williams from USC is on the board. Oh, and the Jaguars could also the consider the numerous players we have never heard of who will inevitably break out in the 2014 college football season.

– Daniel Lago