O.J. Howard to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Todd McShay’s 2017 NFL Mock Draft

We’ve seen plenty of players mocked to the Jaguars in the first round, but Todd McShay presented a curveball with O.J. Howard at 4.

With the moves they’ve made in free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars have narrowed down their list of immediate needs as they head into preparations for the 2017 NFL Draft.

While the team arguably should focus on upgrading the quarterback position, the most urgent needs are along the offensive line, tight end, running back, and pass rusher.

Offensive line has never really been an option with the 4th pick because this is generally considered a weak draft for the big guys up front, but we have seen plenty of mocks with the Jaguars taking a defensive lineman (Jonathan Allen, Solomon Thomas) or running back (Leonard Fournette).

But what about tight end?

In his latest mock (3.0), McShay gets a little crazy with Jacksonville’s first round pick:

"4. Jacksonville JaguarsO.J. Howard, TE, AlabamaAfter spending big on defense two offseasons in a row, I think the Jaguars will use their first-rounder this season to improve QB Blake Bortles‘ supporting cast. RB Leonard Fournette is an option here, but I opted for Howard, who has had a spectacular pre-draft process, standing out during Senior Bowl practices and combine testing (4.51 40 at 251 pounds). Howard profiles as a big-play threat in the NFL and an underrated blocker."

This is just as crazy as it sounds – this would be the highest a tight end has ever been drafted:

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Some people are warming up to the idea of Howard as the pick, but I think it would be foolish and indulgent. Howard may be a great tight end, but I don’t think the Jaguars are equipped to take advantage of his talents right now. The offense can’t move the ball on the ground  (hence the needs at offensive line and running back), and Bortles has to work through his own issues in terms of mechanics and decision making. The problem with the offense certainly isn’t a lack of pass catchers (

Allen Robinson

,

Allen Hurns

, and

Marqise Lee

would be a top 3 wide receiver on any team in the NFL right now… in my opinion).

This also doesn’t seem like something Tom Coughlin, a proponent of building through the O/D-lines, would do. It’s fun for a mock draft, but I don’t see the Jaguars taking a tight end this high.