As we get closer and closer to the 2014 NFL Mock Draft, in my opinion it becomes more and more clear that no one has any idea what the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to do with the No. 3 overall pick in May. We've documented how it breaks down in mock drafts across the internet, but all that's done is increasingly show that no one has any idea.
So in his latest mock draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper has the Jaguars going with what seems to be a common route in grabbing an offensive playmaker in the first round and a signal caller in the second round.
No. 3 - Jacksonville Jaguars, Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemons -- Analysis: The temptation to take a quarterback here may exist, but I look at the trajectory of this organization, both in performance and in personnel development, and I believe the Jaguars will look to take the best player available here, and in Watkins, they also add a dynamic talent at a position of need. Given the uncertain future of Justin Blackmon, the top two wide receivers on the roster are Cecil Shorts and Ace Sanders. Neither has the upside of Watkins, who will make the QB -- whoever that ends up being -- better.
No. 39 - Jacksonville Jaguars, Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois -- Analysis: The Jags don't reach for a QB at No. 3 and then get a potential starter at this point. Garoppolo isn't an immediate starter for a team that wants to take the step the Jags do, but he can get there and be the answer.
If the Jaguars are not going with a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick, then Watkins makes sense as the Jaguars virtually have zero offensive playmakers. With what the team has done in free agency, outside of Clowney, I think they can afford to pass on a pass rusher.
Now my big point of contention with Kiper's mock is the Jaguars pick in the second round. Garoppolo, who's seemingly become a Jaguars fan favorite, is a big reach that high in the second round. He's a fringe day two pick and won't be anywhere close to ready to take snaps in the 2014 season. While the Jaguars say they'd like a quarterback to sit and learn for a bit, I don't believe their thought process is for the quarterback to sit for an entire season, which is likely what Garoppolo is going to need to do.
He's an interesting quarterback prospect with some tools, but he has big questions marks regarding going through his progressions and issues dealing with pressure.
This pick is also made with other quarterbacks like Zach Mettenberger still on the board. Kiper also has Teddy Bridgewater slipping all the way to No. 33 overall, giving the Houston Texans both Jadeveon Clowney and Bridgewater in the draft.