NFL Rumors: Jaguars passing on QB in 2014 NFL Draft; eye elite 2015 talent

The Jacksonville Jaguars own the No. 3 pick in the 2014 NFL draft in May and the wisespread belief is the team will select one of the top three quarterback prospects from a group that included Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles, but the team may elect to wait until 2015 to draft their franchise quarterback.

The Big Lead’s Jason McIntyre was responding to a tweet from NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport about the Jaguars interest in bringing back Chad Henne and their potential interest in free agent quarterbacks Michael Vick and Josh McCown.

On the surface it would seem that Jacksonville has a pressing need for a franchise signal-caller after Blaine Gabbert turned out to be a bust after taking him with the 10th overall selection two years ago. However if the team isn’t convinced any of this year’s prospects are the solution why should they take them?

Khalil Mack and Sammy Watkins are viewed as better prospects and capable of making an immediate impact. Taking a player at a need position over a better player isn’t a smart draft strategy.

The crop of 2015 quarterbacks will include Marcus Mariota, Brett Hundley and likely Jameis Winston, among others, but these three will compete for the right to hear their name called first among the position and perhaps first overall.

Each of these three will likely carry higher grades than any of the three top quarterbacks in 2014, so Jacksonville can land an elite blue-chip talent in May and their franchise quarterback in 2015 as it would appear no matter who they take this year will help this team be any better than 4-12.

It’s tough for fans to be patient, especially when their team has struggled, but this is a case where patience will result in a significant payoff.