NFL Combine 2014: Defensive players to watch

The 2014 NFL Scouting Combine will begin on Wednesday, but the fun stuff won't get started until the weekend when the players begin running through drills. On Monday, the defensive lineman and linebackers will take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, which is particularly worth keeping an eye on for Jaguars fans, as the team desperately need new players to add to their pass rush.

With such deficiencies at defensive end and a lack of depth at defensive tackle, it wouldn't be shocking at all for the Jaguars to address the position early in the draft and possibly select multiple defensive linemen.

Full combine coverage

The 2014 NFL Combine takes place this week at Lucas Oil Stadium, as the 2014 NFL Draft class attempt to impress NFL scouts.

Here are few defensive players worth watching:

Khalil Mack, DE, Buffalo - If the Jaguars pass on a quarterback with the third overall selection, there's a chance that Mack could be the pick instead. The 6'3, 248-pound pass rusher did everything well during his record-setting career with the Buffalo Bulls and drew high praise from Mike Mayock on Tuesday.

At the Combine, Mack will have to prove that he has the athleticism to match the highly-touted abilities of UCLA's Anthony Barr. If he can, Mack can solidify his position as a top 10, or possibly top 5, pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Ethan Westbrooks, DE, West Texas A&M - While he is far from a household name, many experts are circling Westbrooks as a player that could open some eyes during the Combine. The 6'4, 264-pound pass rusher dominated Division II with 26.5 sacks in his final two seasons.

However, he showed that his abilities have a strong chance at translating to the next level when he had a great showing at the East-West Shrine Game, earning Defensive MVP honors. He won often with his first step off the line which means he could impress in the vertical and broad jumps as well as the 10-yard split of his 40-yard dash.

Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota - While defensive ends are going to garner the attention at the Combine, Jaguars fans should keep an eye on the interior too, as it's definitely a position that can be upgraded.

Perhaps no player would better address that need than Hageman, a 6'6, 318 pound lineman with versatility to play several different positions in different defensive schemes. He should put that athleticism on display in Indianapolis and be one of the more impressive large athletes in participation.

Michael Sam, DE, Missouri - I need not explain why the media will be following Sam in everything he does in Indianapolis, but his sexuality is not the only reason he should garner attention.

At 6'2, 260 pounds, Sam has been labeled a "tweener," which is exactly the type of project that the Seahawks have found success with and the Jaguars could be interested in. First he'll have to show he has the physical athleticism to warrant taking that chance.

Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina - Lastly, the player that has the opportunity to make jaws drop more than any other at the Combine. A huge defensive end, Clowney has as much talent as any player in the last decade and could blow everyone away.

Clowney says he is shooting for a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash, which would be incredible for a 6'5, 274 pound defensive end. It would also surpass Margus Hunt (who ran a 4.51 40-yard dash in 2013) for the fastest time ever by a defensive lineman.