2017 NFL Draft: Jacksonville Jaguars need Deshaun Watson if they are going to Win-Now
By Max Baker
If the Jacksonville Jaguars want to complete their predicted breakout, the team needs to address the quarterback position in the 2017 NFL Draft.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have had a very busy offseason, looking to improve this upcoming season after a very disappointing 3-13 start. Many people around the league expected the Jaguars to be a breakout team and team that could win the AFC South title. This was far from the case. One main reason this occurred was due to poor quarterback play.
After finishing seventh in passing yards (4428) and second to Tom Brady in passing touchdowns, 35 in 2015, many had huge expectations for quarterback Blake Bortles entering his third year in the league. Before the season started, Bleacher Report went on to call the Jags a dark horse playoff team behind Bortles. Then the season started, and these expectations were quickly shut down. Bortles regressed and failed to take a step forward in any meaningful way. He threw for over 500 less yards, 12 less touchdowns, and the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team that was poised to make a run in the AFC South, won three games.
The Jaguars clearly have a question mark at quarterback, as they have had since David Garrard left seven years ago. The Jaguars are in win now mode and Bortles’ regression in 2016 makes it uncertain that he could be the player that could lead them to the playoffs year after year in the future. This is why the Jaguars should use the number four overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft on Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson.
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Watson is a true winner and leader, as evidenced by beating the best college football team, Alabama, in the National Championship. In his Junior year, Watson threw for just under 4600 yards and 41 touchdowns. He led the Clemson Tigers to two National Championship appearances, winning one, and is a two-time Heisman Trophy nominee. This is the type of player who could lead the Jaguars.
In addition, Watson built on his collegiate accomplishments with an impressive combine. Watson did more than any other quarterback to improve his stock in the NFL Scouting Combine.
The Jaguars are a team with an expected top-five defense, above average wide receiver corps, a solid pair of running backs, and an average offensive line which will be improved in the draft. This team on paper is a talented team that could compete for a playoff spot, if they had the right quarterback. Drafting Watson will put the Jaguars over the hump, with their talented roster.