2019 NFL Mock Draft: Post-free agency first wave three-round projection

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: Wide receiver D.K. Metcalf of Ole Miss works out during day three of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss

The Jacksonville Jaguars will finally have a new quarterback under center in 2019, which is something they have needed for the past couple of seasons. Going the free agent route and landing Nick Foles was the smart play for them as well, considering they have a defense that can compete now. Offensively though, they need more than just someone to throw the ball — they’re also desperate for playmakers, especially at wide receiver.

Here, they aim to fix that problem by taking Ole Miss receiver D.K. Metcalf. The 6-3, 228-pound Metcalf showed up to this season’s NFL Scouting Combine and absolutely dominated the thing. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds, jumped 40.5 inches vertically, and pushed out 27 bench press reps for good measure.

Even with all that being true, this is incredibly high for Metcalf. He may be an athletic freak, but he didn’t have the kind of production that warrants a first-round pick and when he started to have that in 2018, he ended up being sidelined with a serious neck injury.

Still, teams reach for potential and Metcalf has that to spare. The Jags will just need to make sure to work hard with him on developing a full route tree rather than counting on his size and speed to win in go-routes. Whether or not they can fully develop him has yet to be seen, but Metcalf is about to go incredibly early thanks to his workouts.

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