NFL Mock Draft: Jaguars leave with Teddy Bridgewater

After a few weeks of NFL free agency we have a better feel for what team's needs are heading into the 2014 NFL Draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars made a flurry of moves in free agency, mostly on the defensive side of the ball. While it would be no shocker to see the Jaguars go with a pass rusher with the No. 3 overall pick, in SB Nation's latest mock they lean on the offensive side of the ball.

With Blake Bortles going No. 1 overall to the Houston Texans and Jadeveon Clowney going No. 2 overall to the Atlanta Falcons in a trade, Matthew Fairburn sticks the Jaguars with a signal caller in his newest NFL mock draft.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

The Jaguars brought back Chad Henne, but that certainly doesn't mean they won't be drafting a quarterback with the No. 3 pick. Bridgewater's pro day shouldn't affect him too drastically, especially with the number of quarterback-needy teams drafting in the top 10. Jacksonville already addressed the defensive line in free agency, so Bridgewater makes the most sense. He should be ready to start on day one. Bridgewater has a proven ability to read defenses both before and after the snap. Plus, he's skilled at moving around the pocket. Forget his hand size and weight, the skills Bridgewater brings to the table as a quarterback should help make him a top-five pick.

Given the situation I think this is the right move for the Jaguars. While Sammy Watkins is still on the board and should be a good receiver in the NFL, I'm always weary of taking a wide receiver in the Top 10, especially in a draft deep at the position like the 2014 class. I think the drop off from Watkins to the receivers available later is less than the drop off from the quarterbacks to be had later on.

Much has been made about Bridgewater's average pro day, but I tend to think the media makes more of a big deal out of them than NFL teams do. Local media seem adamant that the Jaguars are not picking a quarterback at No. 3, but I believe it's still on the table.

In the second round, Fairburn gives the Jaguars what would be an ideal pick in my mind and the answer at weak-side linebacker.

39. Jacksonville Jaguars - Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State

The Jaguars' defense should look a lot better after Dave Caldwell plugged a lot of holes in free agency. Another linebacker could still be added, though. Ryan Shazier would be a nice fit as a weakside linebacker in Jacksonville's defense.

If you told me right now the Jaguars would walk away with Bridgewater and Shazier as their first two picks in the 2014 NFL draft, I'd be thrilled.