The Jacksonville Jaguars have completed the first quarter of the season, and after getting off to a great start Week 1, they’ve cooled down tremendously. With three consecutive losses and two coming from winless teams, fans have begun to monitor the draft though Doug Marrone and company have time to turn things around.
As a result of their losing streak, the Jags have found themselves close to the top of a lot of mock drafts. That was the case for them in CBS Sports’ mock by Josh Edwards, who utilized SportsLines Super Bowl odds to determine the order. With that being the case, the Jags’ first pick ended up being No. 4 where the Jags selected a popular signal-caller.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars – QB Justin Fields
Jacksonville has a lot of issues. One week, Gardner Minshew looks like the future at the position; the next week, it is much less concrete. It is important for that to play out over the next three months. The Jaguars should have a more clear idea of where things stand by January.
Yes, as mentioned, this is something the Jags will know more about down the road. However, if there is a coaching change (and it should be if they are picking fourth overall), it’s worth noting that a lot of new regimes prefer their quarterback — and understandably so.
A prime example of what could happen when a front office executive takes another regime’s young quarterback is what Tom Coughlin did with Blake Bortles. When some argued that he should’ve drafted “his guy” instead of holding on to Dave Caldwell’s, Coughlin paid Bortles. That was one of the issues that cost him his job because he went back and attempted to correct that mistake with another expensive quarterback signing (Nick Foles), and as fans are aware, free-agency isn’t the place to find a QB1 oftentimes.
So yeah, the moral of the story for front office leaders is to simply get your guy if you don’t inherit a Tier 1-2 quarterback. Maybe Minshew becomes that, or maybe he doesn’t.
As for Fields, he’s proven to be a great dual threat signal-caller at 6-foot-3, 228 pounds. He was pretty accurate last season, completing 67.2% of his passes for 3,273 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just three picks.
With their second pick in the mock, the Jags were slotted a need that is significantly clearer than quarterback. They addressed the defensive line with Alabama defensive lineman Christian Barmore.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars (from the LA Rams) – DL Christian Barmore
Jacksonville could land a new member for its secondary or another wide receiver, but it would be easy to see those players being easily forgotten. They need an attitude and some pride up front. The addition of Christian Barmore would give that defensive line the jolt that it desperately needs.
At 6-foot-5, 310 pounds, Barmore would give the Jags another big body with penetrating capabilities, something that they need when looking at their interior. He’s very active with his hands and it feels like he can play in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.
Edwards’ mock draft is one that would address two key positions for the team and both players are additions that could get the Jags on the right track in 2021. Let us know how you all feel at home about the selections via social media.
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