Jacksonville Jaguars Focus on Defensive Line in 2-Round Mock Draft

The 2015 NFL Draft is only 3 days away, so get ready to see quite a few mock drafts. The Jacksonville Jaguars are keeping things close to the vest once again, as no one really has a handle on where the Jaguars might be leaning with the third overall pick.

Not knowing who the Jaguars favor at the top of the first round makes it even more difficult to contemplate who might be on their radar in the later rounds. Still, we can work through a couple of scenarios and see how things might shake out if one or more things happens in the first few picks.

Rob Rang recently came out with his “draft week” two-round mock draft over at CBS Sports, and he has the Jaguars injecting some youth into the defensive line:

"3. Jacksonville Jaguars — Leonard Williams, DT, Southern Cal: Should both quarterbacks be off the board, the Jaguars would be faced with a decision. Some clubs see Williams as the best player in the draft and therefore the value at No. 3 overall is undeniable. He is best suited to the five and three-technique roles in Gus Bradley’s defense – spots already capably handled by Tyson Alualu, offseason addition Jared Odrick and Sen’Derrick Marks, who is coming off a torn ACL. An edge rusher or receiver, frankly, would fill a greater need.36. Jacksonville Jaguars — Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia: The Jaguars continue to reinforce the pass rush, adding a more traditional LEO edge rusher with Harold."

It’s hard to argue with taking Leonard Williams at number 3 if the Jaguars think he is the best overall player in the draft, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see one of the edge rushers here. It’s looking more and more like the Jaguars will have their choice of whoever their top player is since the quarterbacks are likely going 1 and 2, but they might also have the option of trading down. Williams is a fine choice if they stay put.

Eli Harold is listed as a linebacker here, but he would slot in at LEO for the Jaguars. Some draft analysts – Daniel Jeremiah being one of them – are extremely high on Harold and see him as a first round talent.

It might seem curious if the Jaguars invest their first two draft selections into the defensive side of the ball given how unproductive the offense was in 2014, but it’s something the Jaguars need to do. The defense is going to be the foundation of this team until Blake Bortles and his young weapons develop, so the Jaguars need to find young players to bolster an aging group on the defensive line. Williams and Harold would help strengthen a defense that showed plenty of promise at points in 2014.

Next: Falcons a trade partner for #3?

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