:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59081047/usa_today_10668264.0.jpg)
The Jacksonville Jaguars have positioned themselves extremely well with this year’s free agency. They’ve upgraded the tight end position (albeit slightly) and gotten what they want at wide receiver. They’ll likely add a running back in the middle rounds of the draft and the turnstile that was the left guard position has been filled nicely with All-Pro offensive lineman Andrew Norwell.
Quarterback is the natural pick at No. 29 overall, right?
Dan Kadar of MockingTheDraft.com doesn’t think so. He’s got the Jaguars going after Jermey Parnell’s long-term replacement.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
After the first week of free agency, the Jaguars are a team with few holes. They have Jermey Parnell at right tackle, but he could get pushed by a player like Brown.
If the Jaguars go with Brown, I’d probably be a little more than frustrated. On the offensive line alone, right guard is a larger need. And Parnell is signed through 2020, even though he doesn’t have a dead cap hit if the Jaguars decide to part ways with him after this year.
Even with the draft shaping up to be one where three quarterbacks are likely to be taken in the top three spots, I don’t think we’ll see the run Kadar envisions — with Lamar Jackson going No. 11 overall to the Miami Dolphins. I think he’ll be there at No. 29 overall and I think the Jaguars should absolutely take him if he’s available. And if Jackson isn’t there, Mason Rudolph would be. I think finding a second-tier guy to compete with Blake Bortles would be the best use of what is a small window for the Jaguars that will realistically only last one or two more seasons.
What do you think? How would you react to Orlando Brown being the Jaguars’ first-round pick?