Jacksonville Jaguars: 2015 Mock Draft 1.0

Yes, it is way too early to predict what will happen in April.

With the Super Bowl this weekend and the final draft order about to be set in stone, it is never too early to speculate or put on your general manager cap and try to make sense of what the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to do with the third overall pick in the 2015 Draft.

I actually have goose bumps just thinking about it. Yes, you can call me one of those draft geeks who watch television, read blogs and try to chart and predict where my favorite players will be playing in the NFL.

I hear there is help for these types of things.

Last year, the third pick brought the team their franchise quarterback in Blake Bortles, who looked every bit the part of the rookie learning on the job. But if you take into account the team may have missed on Luke Joeckel the year before with the second pick and then may have fumbled with the 2012 selection of Justin Blackmon, Bortles is the best prospect this team has, along with a solid draft class from last season that saw almost every drafted player start at least one game and at least five that started most of the season.

If you are grading based on who filled up a lineup card, the Jaguars would get solid “A’s” for the semester. But those starts did not equate to wins, more so only losses.

What will the 2015 Draft bring a team that needs to find just as many starters through the selection process as it does through free agency? Who knows, but here is a first look at how this draft may go down. 

Round 1, Pick 3

Leonard Williams, Defensive Tackle, USC

The Jaguars are going to be a team many franchises try to budge in the draft if the Tennessee Titans take either Randy Gregory of Nebraska or Leonard Williams of USC. If Marcus Mariota is on the board in the third slot.

I like Williams over Gregory for the mere idea there is more to work with. Williams can play inside and on the end, which makes him more valuable in Gus Bradley’s offense. 

Round 2, Pick 36

Ameer Abdullah, Running Back, Nebraska

The Jaguars saw plenty of Abdullah in the Senior Bowl, which is one of the benefits of coaching the week of the event. Abdullah will get plenty of opportunity to become the starter with Denard Robinson and Toby Gerhart sharing carries in the backfield.

He is the home run hitter this team has needed since Fred Taylor was in town. 

Round 3, Pick 67

Clive Watford, Tight End, Miami

Watford would fit nicely into the Jaguars plans if they decide to end their relationship with Marcedes Lewis. The team needs a good route runner with better hands. The one thing Lewis does well is block, but that is something Watford can work on. The team may also try to sign Charles Clay in the off-season. 

Round 4, Pick 100

Jaquiski Tartt, Safety, Samford

Tartt is another one of those players who Gus Bradley and his staff had a chance to see at the Senior Bowl. It’s hard to get a read on players from small schools like Samford unless you put them under a microscope in the post season all-star games. At 6’1” and 220 pounds, Tartt is a strong safety who may be able to move over to free safety, a position of need for this team. 

Round 5, Pick 131

Rob Havenstein, Tackle, Wisconsin

I like the fact the Jaguars can find value this late in the draft. Last season, the team found two starters in Brandon Linder in the third round and Luke Bowanko in the fifth round. Havenstein was part of a Badgers unit that helped open holes for Melvin Gordon. Could Havenstein solve the team’s issues at right tackle? 

Round 6, Pick 164

The Pick: Max Garcia, Center/Guard, Florida

Garcia is one of those players who isn’t flashy, and just goes to work every day with a lunch pail in hand. While the Florida Gators have been on the downside of late, Garcia was a constant force in the middle for Florida and should be able to play center and both guard positions. This is a solid choice for depth. 

Round 7, Pick 195

Michael Orapko, Linebacker, Texas State

Orapko tore his ACL and MCL back in September, thus ending his college career. I see this as a future pick more than anything. Orapko, should he come back strong, can play on the next level. At 6’1” and 226, he could play outside or inside like Telvin Smith. And with that size, he could be a solid special teams player. If Aaron Colvin can be a future pick and pan out, so can Orakpo.