Jaguars 2014 Important Rookies 1st Round Pick- Blake Bortles, QB, UCF Coming out of nowhere, Bortles soared to the top of everyone's draft boards and was considered by many to be the top QB in the draft. There was no question that the Jags needed to upgrade their offense big time and their first task, get a franchise QB. At the 3rd pick in the draft they got their hometown guy in Bortles who figures to be the front runner for starting QB from day 1. One draft expert said Bortles, "Possesses ideal size, athletic ability, intangibles and enough arm strength to develop into an upper-echelon quarterback. Is not yet a franchise quarterback, but has all the physical ingredients to become an outstanding NFL starter" The Jaguars are excited with this pick and plan to build their offense around their new QB. 2nd Round Pick- Marqise Lee, WR, USC Before the season began Lee was arguably one of the top 3 WR's in the draft but fell due to performance. Jags feel like they got a steal in the 2nd round and a great WR to pair with Bortles to create a great duo. One scout said about Lee, "An extremely motivated, dynamic, playmaking receiver, Lee's junior season was plagued by shoulder, knee and leg injuries and a revolving door at head coach, where he cycled through three. Showed all the traits desired in a No. 1 receiver early in his career and has overcome a lot of adversity in his life to get to this point." 2nd Round Draft Pick- Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State With their 2nd pick in the 2nd round the Jags decided to go with WR yet again to focus on the offense. Robinson is another intriguing WR prospect who has the tendency to make spectacular plays. He doesn't have a lot of speed but makes the tough catches and is great after the catch. He could end up being a great #2 wide out when its all said and done. 3rd Round Pick- Brandon Linder, OG, Miami Linder is expected to bolster the Oline. He is a big guard that figures to compete for a starting job this year. 4th Round Pick- Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma Colvin was a name people were looking at before he tore his ACL at the Senior Bowl. After that he was looked at as a value pick that can be stashed for next year. The Jags got a good pick here in the 4th round.
2014 Key Free Agency Arrivals RB Toby Gerhart- With the departure of MJD, Gerhart figures to be the featured back for the first time in his career. He is a strong bruising back that played for Coach Harbaugh at Stanford and played behind Adrian Peterson for most of his career so he has learned from some of the best. He will look to take this chance and run with it, literally. G- Zane Beadles- Beadles is coming from the Super Bowl runner up, Denver Broncos where he started 62 of 64 games in his 4 year career and all 16 games the last 3 years. He signed a decent contract to be a starter and bolster the O-Line. DE- Red Bryant and Chris Clemons- Red and Clemons comes over from the Super Bowl Champs and figures to be a force for the new look Jags defense. Red will start at one of the defensive ends spot alongside his former teammate Chris Clemons. Jaguars are hoping these two will bring the winning attitude to Jacksonville that they haven't had in years. LB- Dekoda Watson- Watson stays in the state of Florida coming over from Tampa Bay to fight for a starting linebacker position. In the last 4 years for the Bucs he has only started 6 total games but was a solid back up that is looking to make a name for himself in Jacksonville
