Jaguars Draft Rumors: Does Jacksonville trade the No. 7 pick?

By David Levin | Jan 24, 2019

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 23: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars carries the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Will the Jacksonville Jaguars keep the seventh pick in the 2019 NFL Draft or will they trade the pick and possibly a player or two to fill other team needs?

The Jacksonville Jaguars are now on the clock.

This organization has been on the NFL Draft clock for some time now as a 5-11 season has forced fans and the media to focus on next season rather than a trip to the post season. Now that college All-Star games give this organization a chance to see NFL prospects and talk to teams about potential deals, what will the Jaguars do with the seventh pick in the NFL Draft?

A lot can happen between now and the end of April. Free agency is less than a month way. The front office is expected to make decisions on veteran players – most notably Malik Jackson, Tashaun Gipson, Blake Bortles, Jermey Parnell and Marcell Dareus – determining which high-priced salary to cut while preserving the majority of players in the locker room.

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The Jaguars figure to be in the market for moderately-priced free agents to help along the offensive line and at wide receiver. There could be a linebacker out there the team fancies.

Then there is the question of what will this organization do with its quarterback situation, having brought in John DiFillippo to run the offense and the team’s need for more consistency under center. Nick Foles appears to be the belle of the ball, the one the Jaguars will seek to sign in March or work out a deal.

There are other signal callers out there – Joe Flacco, Teddy Bridgewater and Ryan Fitzpatrick – who could be a second option if the first one falls through.

Honestly, we have no idea what the Jaguars will do this offseason. This is a all rumor and conjecture. That’s what happens when the team you follow and cover takes a nosedive into the abyss of not only losing, but falling apart at the seams on offense.

The Jaguars still have plenty of options at its disposal before March and April storm in like the winds of change. Here are a few thoughts on what this team will do with its first pick in the NFL Draft.

Option 1: The Jaguars keep the No. 7 pick and draft a quarterback – No one knows if Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins will remain the top quarterback prospect once we get to the Combine and Pro Days are set. Haskins doesn’t have a resume that wows you, and he has one year as a starting quarterback on the college level.

Still, his potential is what excites scouts and general managers.

Before the 2018 Draft, both Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen were the top two prospects. Then Baker Mayfield happened. This is a good class of quarterbacks, but not a great one yet. I suspect Daniel Jones of Duke could leap over Haskins and become the first quarterback drafted.

Haskins is still an option for the Jaguars, provided they do not sign Nick Foles and move away from the Bortles era.

Will Grier: “I’m the best quarterback in this draft.”
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) January 22, 2019

Option 2: We have a TRADE! – I have read a few stories online, which make sense, especially if the Jaguars are able to sign Foles or Bridgewater.

I believe many people are forgetting about the current New Orleans Saints backup who could play into the system DiFillippo runs on offense. There will be a few more quarterbacks out there the team may take a leap at. I am still in favor or Ryan Fitzpatrick becoming the bridge between the present and the future.

Will Brinson of CBS Sports proposes the Jaguars trade Leonard Fournette for Nick Foles straight up. It’s not unheard of, but highly unlikely. He explains his reasoning.

"“I don’t think the Jags are going to give up No. 7 overall in exchange for Nick Foles. You could work out a deal where the Jags send No. 7 and No. 69 to the Eagles for Foles, No. 26 and No. 54 (the trade value basically makes Foles worth the 28th overall pick, which is probably a reasonably fair swap), but Jacksonville is going to likely lose high-end, expensive talent to free agency as a result of salary-cap issues.”"

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Fournette’s tenure in Jacksonville is still questionable. If a trade were to happen, it could mean the team either keeps Carlos Hyde – who will make $4.75 million this coming season, or seek a free agent. I have pushed for Latavius Murray from Minnesota with another connection to DiFillippo.

Brinson has the Jaguars taking Jeffery Simmons, a defensive tackle from Mississippi State.

Option 3: A trade down in the Draft – I like this option as well. The Jaguars can still get a quality signal caller, trade down a few spots and add picks and or players. Quarterback is not the only position of need on this roster. The right side of the offensive line needs an overhaul. The tight end spot is uncertain with injuries playing a big part in the lack of production.

The team also needs playmakers, speed on the outside and possibly two running backs added to the roster. Hays Carlyon of 1010XL.com wrote about a scenario that makes sense, but could also be a reach for the team.

"“The Jaguars should move back five spots to Green Bay’s 12th spot. Green Bay, armed with 10 picks, could be motivated to move up at a fair price. The Packers need a defensive star and the four teams ahead of them could easily all pick defensive players. The Packers would move up ahead of NFC North rival Detroit who has the eighth pick,” he explains.“A fair return would be Green Bay’s third rounder (No. 75) and fifth-round selection (No. 139).”"

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The move gives Jacksonville three third round picks and amunition to move back up in the Draft is the team wants. If they don’t get a quarterback at No. 12, they can trade back in the first round to potentially grab West Virginia’s Will Grier.

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