A look at the Jacksonville Jaguars offensive needs as the NFL draft gets closer:
QUARTERBACKS
ON ROSTER: Blake Bortles and Cody Kessler.
ANALYSIS: The Jaguars will acquire a third quarterback, but the question is if it will be to compete with Kessler for the No. 2 spot, settle in as the No. 3/developmental guy or to serve as a camp arm. It would not be surprising if the Jaguars use a Day 3 pick and then see if that player can earn a roster spot or move to the practice squad.
TOP FIVE: 1. Sam Darnold (USC, 6-3/221); 2. Josh Rosen (UCLA, 6-4/226); 3. Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma, 6-1/215); 4. Josh Allen (Wyoming, 6-5/237); 5. Lamar Jackson (Louisville, 6-2/216)
DRAFT CHATTER: Only 10 QBs were selected among 253 picks last year — six could go in the first round this year if Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph goes off the board. ... The Jags have drafted a QB in three of the last six years — Blaine Gabbert (No. 10 in 2011), Blake Bortles (No. 3 in 2014) and Brandon Allen (No. 201 in 2016). ... USF’s Quinton Flowers ran the fastest 40 among QBs at the Combine (4.63 seconds).
RUNNING BACKS
ON ROSTER: Leonard Fournette, T.J. Yeldon, Corey Grant, Tommy Bohanon, Tim Cook and Brandon Wilds.
ANALYSIS: The league’s top-ranked running game (141.4 ypg) returns Fournette, who carried 268 times for 1,040 yards and nine TDs as a rookie. The Jags have Yeldon and Grant to back up Fournette, but they may explore adding a back either late in the draft or in undrafted free agency.
TOP FIVE: 1. Saquon Barkley (Penn St., 6-0/233); 2. Derrius Guice (LSU, 5-10/224); 3. Sony Michel (Georgia, 5-10/214); 4. Ronald Jones (USC, 5-11/205); 5. Rashaad Penny (SD State, 5-11/220)
DRAFT CHATTER: Thirty RBs were drafted last year, the highest total since 31 in 1996. ... Georgia’s Nick Chubb will be an interesting case. He tore three knee ligaments (but not the ACL) against Tennessee in 2015, but recovered to rush for 1,130 and 1,345 yards in 2016-17.
WIDE RECEIVERS
ON ROSTER: Marqise Lee, Donte Moncrief, Keelan Cole, Dede Westbrook, Jaelen Strong, Jaydon Mickens, Rashad Greene, Tevaun Smith, Shane Wynn.
ANALYSIS: The Jaguars parted ways with a pair of veteran wideouts in Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson, but have nine receivers on the roster. The addition of Moncrief to team with emerging talent Lee and youngster Cole and Westbrook mean the Jags can afford to wait on selecting a wide out. Late second day, early third day is a possibility.
TOP FIVE: 1. Calvin Ridley (Alabama, 6-0/180); 2. Christian Kirk (Texas A&M, 5-10/200); 3. D.J. Moore (Maryland, 6-0/210); 4. D.J. Chark (LSU, 6-3/199); 5. Anthony Miller (Memphis, 5-11/190)
DRAFT CHATTER: Six wide receivers were selected in the first two rounds of last year’s draft – that number could be lower this season. ... Of those six, only the Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Shuster (the 62nd overall pick) recorded more than 50 receptions or two touchdowns. The Bengals’ John Ross (ninth overall pick) did not record a catch. ... The Jaguars drafted one wide receiver in 2017, Dede Westbrook in the fourth round ... Ridley has come back to the pack after being widely considered the top wide receiver in the draft. Look for him to fall to the back half of the first round. . .. Kirk brings added value on special teams after returning a punt and a kickoff for scores.
OFFENSIVE LINE
ON ROSTER: LT Cam Robinson, LG Andrew Norwell, C Brandon Linder, RG A.J. Cann, RT Jermey Parnell, G Tyler Shatley, T Josh Wells, G Chris Reed, G Brandon Thomas, G Josh Walker, G Avery Gennesy and T William Poehls.
ANALYSIS: The Jags prioritized upgrading their offensive line in free agency and may not be done. They made Norwell the league’s highest-paid guard ($13.3 million average, $30M guarantee) to build alongside Linder and Robinson. Cann and Parnell are fine players but could face competition if the Jaguars select an offensive lineman early in the draft.
TOP FIVE: 1. Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame, 6-5/329, Guard); 2. Isaiah Wynn (Georgia, 6-3/313, Guard/Tackle); 3. Mike Mcglinchey (Notre Dame, 6-8/312, Tackle); 4. Will Hernandez (UTEP, 6-2/348, Guard); 5. James Daniels (Iowa, 6-3/295, Center)
DRAFT CHATTER: Since 2000, the only interior offensive linemen to be taken among the first 10 picks were Jonathan Cooper (seventh in 2013), Chance Warmack (10th in 2013) and Leonard Davis (second in 2001). Nelson is going to change that. He could be selected as high as No. 2 by the Giants and is unlikely to make it past Chicago at No. 8.