The Jacksonville Jaguars are just one of many teams in need of a signal caller. Blaine Gabbert turned out to be another failed first-round draft pick and the team was forced to trade him away to the San Francisco 49ers and re-sign veteran Chad Henne as insurance. Armed with the No. 3 overall pick, Jacksonville looks poised to draft another first-round rookie in hopes he turns out better than the last. But, could the team opt to make a trade instead?
There are several quarterbacks that are or could be on the market with the right offer in place. General manager Dave Caldwell has brought in most first and second round quarterback options to work out for the team, but he admitted to CBSSports.com that he remains very cautious in taking someone with their first pick like they did with Gabbert.
"In today's day and age, if you can't get Peyton Manning or Matt Ryan, and they might not be available for the next 10 or 15 years, then you have to adapt and build the roster and do what's best for the organization," Caldwell said.. "And if a quarterback presents itself later in the draft, you take and develop him. Having a franchise guy makes the world a lot easier, though. It can erase a lot of mistakes you make. But if you force it, you can screw it up. I don't know if we're going to find that guy, but I hope we do."
Would Jacksonville really pass up on Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles if they are available? Maybe not, but Caldwell intends to explore options which could involve trades this year and the draft next year to stabilize the team's offense.
The Jaguars could be in the market to make a trade for Giants backup Ryan Nassib, Terrelle Pryor or Kirk Cousins before the draft. Nassib is available after New York signed Josh Freeman to backup Eli Manning. While they are not confirming the quarterback is being shopped, NFL sources report it is a strong possibility he is gone just a year after being drafted.
Pryor has been on the market and will likely be released come Monday. The Oakland Raiders quarterback has shown plenty of potential in his ability to start for a team. He would come very cheap for Jacksonville and buy them some time should they opt to use their first few picks on other players.
Cousins is the dark horse to get traded. The Washington Redskins remain very adamant that the backup is going nowhere. Head coach Jay Gruden has stated that Robert Griffin III is the starter but Cousins is needed as a quality backup. However, the right price can change everything and the Redskins need nothing more than draft picks right now.
The Jaguars have remained very interested in players like Jadeveon Clowney and Khalil Mack, but would need a first-round pick to get them. Trading for quarterback could be the better option heading into the draft.
