One pick down, one offensive tackle off the board. With a resounding 71 percent of the vote, Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel was the overwhelming choice as No. 1 pick for the Kansas City Chiefs in this Fan Mock Draft. Next up? The Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 2.
There is a sense of intrigue surrounding the Jaguars thanks to a completely new regime. In at general manager is David Caldwell, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons. Joining Caldwell as the head coach of the Jaguars is a familiar name to Eagles fans, former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Because Bradley is a defensive mind and because the Seahawks defense was predicated on versatile players who could provide consistent pressure on the quarterback, Oregon's Dion Jordan has been a popular link to the second overall pick throughout the draft process. Jordan is capable of rushing the passer and playing in pass coverage, so Bradley could see the former Duck as the centerpiece of his new defense. Or could Jacksonville pull a shocker with a more pure pass rusher like LSU's Barkevious Mingo?
Then again, the Jaguars have had serious problems on offense of late, thanks in no small part to their occasional inability to protect the quarterback. The team ranks third in sacks allowed last season and, as a team, Jacksonville has ranked in the bottom five in quarterback rating each of the last two seasons. With a former first-round pick in Blaine Gabbert and his competitor, the not-so-mobile Chad Henne, at quarterback, the Jaguars may place a premium on protection. And yes, they already have former first-round pick Eugene Monroe at left tackle, but Monroe's rookie contract runs out after this season and the right tackle spot has been a rotating position of limited success in Jacksonville for several seasons. Plus, as pointed out by Blogging The Beast's Jimmy Kempski, the Jaguars also have to contend with the likes of J.J. Watt twice a season.
All of that is to say that there stands a very real possibility that the Jaguars will select an offensive tackle with the second pick. Central Michigan's Eric Fisher would be the likely target here if that were the case, though Oklahoma's Lane Johnson could spark a surprise as well. Beyond the two tackles, the other option worth discussing is quarterback, where Caldwell could separate himself from Gabbert altogether and bring in his own signal-caller. The Jaguars were reportedly attentive attendees at the workout of West Virginia's Geno Smith, who would seem to be the quarterback of choice if that's the position on which Jacksonville zeroes in.
We'll find out what the Jaguars do on Thursday night, but for now, the choice is yours. A dynamic pass rusher? A sturdy pass protector? Or the quarterback of the future? You make the call ...* *
Make sure to follow us on Twitter @EaglesInsider.