Jacksonville Jaguars Rumors: Teddy Bridgewater, Justin Blackmon
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon (14) on the sidelines. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Jacksonville Jaguars are fully expected to wait on drafting a quarterback in the 2014 NFL Draft, and most people expect them to take someone like Jimmy Garoppolo in the second round of the draft after going with a “safe” prospect like Sammy Watkins or Jake Matthews at No. 3. I’ve always liked Khalil Mack as a fit for the Jaguars, but there’s a good chance he won’t be there for them at No. 3 with increased interest from the Houston Texans, who may not be able to trade down, and the St. Louis Rams appearing to be a darkhorse to take Mack off the board.
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ESPN’s Britt McHenry reported, via Rotoworld, that the Jaguars “aren’t as high on Teddy Bridgewater as some other teams are”, and I wonder if they dislike Bridgewater enough that they would even pass up on him in the second round. I don’t think he’ll be available by the time the Jaguars second-round choice rolls around, but it would be a mistake for them to pass up on him at that slot. He’s the best quarterback in the draft class and easily the most polished one of the bunch, but I can understand why the Jaguars wouldn’t want to risk taking a QB in the first with some very talented players like Watkins available. That said, the Jaguars need a QB, and Bridgewater would be too good to pass up on in the second round.
I wonder if the Jaguars views on Justin Blackmon will be a factor in their decision at No. 3, because they would be more inclined to draft Sammy Watkins if they don’t think they’ll receive anything out of Blackmon in 2014. Blackmon will apply for reinstatement, but David Caldwell and the Jaguars have stated at various points during the offseason that they don’t expect Blackmon to play this season and are currently viewing him as a luxury-type piece due to his uncertainty for the 2014 season.
McHenry also reported, via Rotoworld, that Caldwell is not expecting Blackmon to play “at all” in 2014, but it’s also possible that this Blackmon talk could be meant to build a Watkins smokescreen. The Jaguars could use another wide receiver with Blackmon’s status for 2014 in doubt, but they already have an even better wideout in Cecil Shorts, and Ace Sanders and Mike Brown aren’t terrible options either. All told, it’s going to be incredibly interesting to see what Caldwell does in the first two rounds, because all bets are off at this point.