Every year, we count down the days until the NFL Draft by letting you make the picks in our Fan Mock Draft. Every day until the opening bell of the draft on May 8, you'll get to vote and decide one selection per day, until we arrive at the Eagles' selection at No. 22 overall. Today, we turn to the Jacksonville Jaguars and the third overall pick …
With a narrow margin, you selected Auburn T Greg Robinson as the second overall pick for the St. Louis Rams (edging out Clemson's Sammy Watkins), following Jadaveon Clowney's first overall selection. Now, the Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock with the third overall pick.
Coming off a four-win season, the Jaguars appear heading in the right direction in their long-term rebuilding process under head coach Gus Bradley and general manager David Caldwell. Bradley continued to import former Seahawks with whom he was familiar thanks to his time as Seahawks defensive coordinator, as the Jaguars signed defensive linemen Chris Clemons and Red Bryant in free agency. The Jaguars also signed former Broncos starting guard Zane Beadles to help address a leaky offensive line.
The Jaguars, though, still lack a franchise quarterback. The team re-signed Chad Henne while jettisoning former first-round pick Blaine Gabbert, so Henne remains the placeholder at quarterback for now. So it would make some sense for the team to find their quarterback of the future with the third overall pick. Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater could all be possibilities, as could a shocker like Derek Carr, who was able to ply his trade in front of the Jaguars coaching staff during the Senior Bowl.
But most reports out of Jacksonville suggest that the team is not smitten with any of this year's quarterbacks and may opt to add a more developmental quarterback beyond the first round. In that case, the popular projection may be Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who would add a dynamic threat to one of the league's least explosive offenses. With Justin Blackmon's future in some question, there is certainly room for a potential No. 1 receiver. It's even possible that Texas A&M's Mike Evans, the most imposing physical talent of the wide receiver class, could be the player who grabs Caldwell's eye.
Last year, the Jaguars used their top-five selection on offensive tackle Luke Joeckel. But there's still a need for a bookend tackle to pair with Joeckel, and Texas A&M's Jake Matthews could be the safe selection for the Jaguars to help form the identity of their offense moving forward. Considering that they signed Browns Pro Bowl center Alex Mack to an offer sheet, it's clear the Jaguars value a strong offensive line.
Defensively, Buffalo's Khalil Mack is probably the most likely selection, considering the buzz surrounding his "rise" up draft boards. The Jaguars finished tied for last in the league with only 31 sacks last season, so any help with the pass rush would surely be welcome. UCLA's Anthony Barr, considered a likely top-five selection before the draft process began to ramp up, could be an option as well. Perhaps the biggest longshot would be Aaron Donald, the interior disruptor who also stood out in front of the Jaguars coaching staff at the Senior Bowl.
With so many options on the board, the Jaguars are surely spoiled for choice. For now, you get to play Jaguars general manager and make the choice …
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