Tuesday will be here before we know it, which means the 2019 NFL combine is about to begin for football fans alike to check out. Of course, for the fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars, it will be a crucial evaluation period due to the team needing tons of offensive help. With them having pressing needs at quarterback, receiver, tight end and the right side of their offensive line, here are six first-round talents for Jags fans to watch at the combine on offense:
Quarterbacks
Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State – As fans are aware, he should be arguably the No. 1 prospect on the Jags’ radar and is expected to make himself a lot of money in the combine process. He’ll be participating in all drills which is rare for a top quarterback talent, but you can believe a lot of America will be glued to their televisions when he takes the field. Aside from what he’ll do on the field, most expect him to interview well which probably will result in a team trading up into the top-5 picks before the draft. If he blows Tom Coughlin’s socks off, that team just may be the Jaguars.
Kyler Murray, Oklahoma – Murray’s upcoming weigh-in has made him arguably the most anticipated prospect to enter the combine in its history. And while most including myself are skeptical on Coughlin actually pulling the trigger on him, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and ESPN’s Todd McShay have said that they keep hearing about the Jags potentially being interested. Regardless as to if they truly aren’t are not, Murray is a talent they still should look deeply into because they currently don’t have a No. 1 quarterback and have passed on several players who could’ve been the answers.
Offensive lineman
Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College – Lindstrom is a fit for the Jags for so many reasons and would be a great plug and play option at right guard for them, who need one to two new starters at the right side of the offensive line. He also has a relationship with Jags scout Chris Snee being that he attended Snee and Coughlin’s alma mater. Some feel Lindstrom is the safest pick in the draft and he’d be a solid late first-round option for the Jags if they can trade up from the second round.
Jawaan Taylor, RT, Florida – If the Jags take an offensive lineman in the top-10, most draft pundits feel it should be Taylor despite him playing right tackle. He embodies the physicality Coughlin, Doug Marrone and the Jags like in the trenches and comes from a university the Jags have a long track record with.
Wide receivers
D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss – At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Metcalf is expected to run in the high 4.3s to 4.4 range. If he does, his stock will skyrocket because he already has the physical ability to come off the line with limited issues. He also has a neck injury that sidelined him in 2018 that medical staffs will want to look heavily into.
A.J. Brown, Ole Miss – Brown is a savvy receiver who flourishes as a route runner. He also has good hands, which would be of great use to the Jags’ receiving corps who had the league’s second-highest drop rate in 2018.
Tight ends
T.J. Hockenson, Iowa – Hockenson is a player with solid athleticism and great ability after the catch. Some feel the Jags should take him seventh overall because they’ve lacked a playmaker at tight end for so long, and it’s actually a fair point. Additionally, offensive coordinator John DeFilippo has a great track record with tight ends and could give defensive coordinators headaches with a weapon of Hokenson’s magnitude.
Noah Fant, Iowa – Fant has receiver-like ability and it’s expected that he’ll test extremely well in Indianapolis. Simply put, he’s too fast for linebackers and too strong for defensive backs. Just like his teammate Hockenson, the Jags should have some interest in him although he’s not a player ideal for in-line blocking.
