NFL Draft: Dwayne Haskins falls to Jacksonville at No. 7
By David Levin
![PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to make a pass during the first half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to make a pass during the first half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fblackandteal-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1076441610-850x560-af7cb37a6ee54bf8d95f783f736b8569aea95bd54df402dafc755e0241bf3adf.jpg)
Based on his most recent mock draft on NFL.com, Lance Zierlein has Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins “falling” to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 7.
I will continue to preach this as if it is gospel. I still don’t think any of the quarterbacks coming out in this year’s NFL Draft is worthy of the top pick. I also believe the Jacksonville Jaguars have other areas of need to concentrate on rather than mortgage the team’s future based on untapped potential from the quarterback position.
The great thing about the NFL Draft is everyone thinks they know what the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to do with the No. 7 pick but in reality the only people who make that decision wouldn’t divulge their true thoughts on the selection.
While Dwayne Haskins is considered the best of the bunch in this draft, where possibly five over-valued quarterbacks could be taken in the first round, one NFL expert sees the Ohio State signal caller “falling” to Jacksonville in April.
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Lance Zierlein of NFL.com predicts Haskins, who has one year of starting experience in college for the Buckeyes, will be the third quarterback to come off the board. Kyler Murray of Oklahoma lands with the Oakland Raiders at No. 4 and The New York Giants grab Daniel Jones one spot ahead of the Jaguars at No. 6.
Even with the choice, Zierlein acknowledges Haskins’ inexperience.
"“There are still some very good non-QBs on the board here and the Jaguars might have to pass on them for a talented but inexperienced pocket passer,” he writes."
Like last year, Zierlein has four signal callers being drafted in the first 10 picks with Drew Lock finding a home in Denver at No. 10. All four quarterbacks in question could be on the Jaguars radar and under consideration when the Commissioner Roger Goodell announces Jacksonville’s selection.
Personally, I have the team taking Alabama tackle Jonah Williams with its first pick and taking Will Grier at the top of the second round. There are other names to consider like offensive lineman Cody Ford of Oklahoma and potentially a pass rusher, mainly because this team’s defensive line could look very different after free agency.
The focus this offseason, however, is to see which player, veteran or rookie, will replace Blake Bortles after a five-year stint in North Florida. If I had to pick one of the prospects in the first round, I would be more apt to select Jones and keep Bortles around one more season should Jacksonville not sign a veteran quarterback this offseason.