2014 NFL Mock Draft: Jadeveon Clowney in Jacksonville?

Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina’s star defensive end, is arguably one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2014 NFL draft.

At 6-foot-6, 275 pounds he has the body-type to be a terrific defensive end at the NFL level, and his film and production at South Carolina would suggest that he can be elite.

This season, he notched a pedestrian 35 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, but it was his 2012 season that really caught the eye of draft lovers everywhere. In 2012, Clowney grabbed 54 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.

He also graced the football world with this hit, which was undoubtedly heard around the world:

Clowney could truly develop into a special player at the NFL level, so of course, it’s intruiging to speculate where he’ll end up.

For his part, Chris Burke of SI.com projects Clowney to go to Jacksonville in his mock draft released a few days ago. Here’s what he says about the pick:

"OK, let’s spin this the opposite direction of Houston’s choice at No. 1, because the top QB prospect (AK’s note: He projected Teddy Bridgewater at No. 1 to Houston) already has come off the board. And this pick has Gus Bradley written all over it. Remember, he helped build Seattle’s defense with pressure off the edge and aggressive, physical cornerbacks. The Jaguars need to find both types of players, and they won’t get another chance at a player like Clowney."

For the most part, I don’t see how Jacksonville can go wrong with this pick, and they’ve gone plenty wrong in the NFL Draft before.

Clowney’s 2013 hasn’t been as impressive as his 2012, but he still has the physical tools and intangibles to be a great defensive end, and his star-power should at least help the Jaguars get some people into the stadium.