By re-upping with free-agent quarterback Chad Henne on Friday, the Jacksonville Jaguars may have taken their name off the list of teams that could draft a quarterback with its first-round draft pick.
According to the Florida Times-Union, they could still grab a quarterback — in Round 2 or later — but the team is likely to go in another direction with the No. 3 overall selection.
League source on #Jaguars: “With Henne back, I don’t expect them to take QB until 2nd round and maybe not until 3rd or 4th round.”
— Ryan O’Halloran (@ryanohalloran) March 7, 2014
It makes sense, as Jags head coach Gus Bradley was a member of the Seattle Seahawks front office when the team drafted Russell Wilson in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Jacksonville could be in position to grab Jadeveon Clowney if the Houston Texans pass on him, and the team could get its quarterback later on. Derek Carr, A.J. McCarron and Zach Mettenberger are all quarterbacks expected to be available in the middle rounds.
The New York Jets have largely been expected to address its need for a wide receiver with its first-round pick, but perhaps defensive-minded Rex Ryan has other plans. According to TFY Draft Insider, the team was “all over” cornerback Bradley Roby at Ohio State’s Pro Day.
OSU pro-day: Ryan Shazier- no position drills, hurt hamstring on first run…Carlos Hyde did not run…big buzz over Bradley Roby
— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) March 7, 2014
New York Jets all over Bradley Roby at Ohio State pro day…
— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) March 7, 2014
Roby is considered to be a first- or second-round pick, so it’s not out of the question the Jets could skip over him with the No. 18 overall selection. However, Roby is seemingly coveted by a host of corner-needy teams that pick toward the end of Round 1, including the San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
The Jets fit that mold, too. Antonio Cromartie is expected to be released, and even if he comes to a new deal with Gang Green he’s 30 and coming off his worst season in New York. Last year, the Jets spent one of their first-round picks on cornerback Dee Milliner out of Alabama.