:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31651283/184228148.0.jpg)
Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
The Gus Bus has loaded up on defense this offseason. Chris Clemons and Red Bryant reactivated their Gus Bus passes, Ziggy Hood was signed from Pittsburgh, and Jason Babin was brought back on cheaper deal. Tyson Alualu, the Jaguars other DE last year, was ranked the worst edge rusher in the NFL. With the number three pick the Jaguars can’t go wrong. Sammy Watkins, Jadeveon Clowney, and Khalil Mack are the top prospects that, at pick #3, would be the best fits for building the Jaguars’ roster long term. The Jaguars could draft a quarterback, but none of the QBs in this year’s draft are can’t miss prospects and they would be much better off waiting to see if any of the quarterbacks fall into the 2nd round, or somewhere they’re comfortable moving up to grab one.
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney out of South Carolina is the best player in this draft and he may be the most talented prospect the NFL Draft has seen in years. Clowney would fit into the ‘LEO’ position with the Jaguars, the same way that the Seattle Seahawks utilize Michael Bennett. (For more on Gus Bradley and the LEO position, here is a write up by BigCatCountry) Clowney would add another dimension to the Jaguars defense as Gus Bradley would be able to find countless ways to put Clowney in a position to dominate. The Jaguars have shown interest in Clowney, as shown below, and if they do end up drafting him, he would strengthen an already improved defense.
Gus: "We still have that mindset of taking the best player available. We have some needs, obviously. ... "
— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) February 5, 2014
Gus on Clowney: "He's a dominating player. He's a guy that is talked about in high regard and there's no question why he is." #Jaguars
— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) February 5, 2014
If Clowney is off the board, Khalil Mack would be a great fit on the Jaguars’ defense. Mack is a disruptive force with impressive instincts and a knack for knocking the ball loose (he recorded an NCAA-record 16 forced fumbles at Buffalo). His versatile skill set that allows him to line up as a 4-3 Sam linebacker or at defensive end in sub-packages and would also be a great addition to the Gus Bus’ defensive strengths.
1 Houston Texans (Imp) - Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville - [Explanation]
2 St. Louis Rams (starship 007) - Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson - [Explanation]
3 Jacksonville Jaguars (sports00fan00) - Jadeveon Clowney, DE, SC - [Explanation]
4 Cleveland Browns (InHinkieWeTrust) -
5 Oakland Raiders (SleepingDuck) -
6 Atlanta Falcons (jimmyrustler) -
7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (AnthroEagle) -
8 Minnesota Vikings (pot) -
9 Buffalo Bills (wow4444) -
10 Detroit Lions (kamjam) -
11 Tennessee Titans (NowWhat?) -
12 New York Giants (Anthony DiBona) -
13 St. Louis Rams (ILL Eagle) -
14 Chicago Bears (JerkyBoy) -
15 Pittsburgh Steelers (KJ Brophy) -
16 Dallas Cowboys (Patrick Wall) -
17 Baltimore Ravens (rohan915) -
18 New York Jets (del.champion) -
19 Miami Dolphins (HD) -
20 Arizona Cardinals (NCeagle) -
21 Green Bay Packers (ablesser88) -
22 Philadelphia Eagles (jhn) -
23 Kansas City Chiefs (PeaceVT) -
24 Cincinnati Bengals (deg0ey) -
25 San Diego Chargers (StoneColeKiller58) -
26 Cleveland Browns (P_Roach17) -
27 New Orleans Saints (bebin) -
28 Carolina Panthers (MikeKafka) -
29 New England Patriots (Amateur_Hour) -
30 San Francisco 49ers (AndyMcNabb) -
31 Denver Broncos (dceagles) -
32 Seattle Seahawks (eagles0132) -