The Jacksonville Jaguars desperately want (need?) Blake Bortles to develop into a bona fide franchise quarterback. To that end, they've done a good job giving him some young and talented wide receivers to throw to in Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee. However, the best thing they could do for Bortles' development (aside from giving him a better offensive line) is to get him a true No. 1 wide receiver.
Robinson, Hurns and Lee are all very impressive but each comes with question marks when it comes to their overall ceilings. Alabama's Amari Cooper, however, projects to be a nightmare for opposing defenses at the next level. That may be one reason why ESPN NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay projects Jacksonville to select Cooper in the first round of his Mock Draft 4.0.
"My guess is that most would have the Jags taking Leonard Williams here, and it could very well play out that way. But here's my thinking on this pick: Jacksonville was proactive in solidifying its defensive front this offseason by re-signing DTs Tyson Alualo and adding DT Jared Odrick," McShay wrote. "Could they still take Williams? Absolutely. He'd be a great fit in head coach Gus Bradley's scheme and would give the Jags a talented, versatile and deep rotation along the defensive front in a division that includes Andrew Luck. But they could also add a true No. 1 receiver for second-year QB Blake Bortles in the hopes of giving him the best chance to succeed. That's what Cooper is, as he is as polished a WR prospect as you'll see coming out of college, with tremendous savvy as a route-runner and very good separation skills, ball skills and big-play ability."
The Jaguars also signed tight end Julius Thomas in free agency this offseason. Adding Cooper to that mix would give Bortles a collection of talented pass-catchers that would make any young QB jealous. Would it be a bit of a luxury pick? Maybe, especially with Williams still on the board. But it would also give this offense an added dimension it has lacked for several years.
The NFL Draft will kick off on April 30.
