2014 NFL Draft

[duvaldude08]

Well Bridgewater, Manziel and Clowney all said they are entering draft. I have a gut feeling this draft is going to be tricky. The Rams selecting #2 (via the Redskins) is fine, but they indicated they would rather trade out of that pick in front of us, and one of the two of the three will be gone when we select. HOWEVER, I smell some upset in this draft. You never know until draft day what will happen. For example, the Texans hired O'Brien as the head coach. After revewiing their rosters, whose to say he wont stick with schaub and draft clowney, instead of Bridgewater. There's a lot of what-if's doing on at the moment. Whatever the case, I confident that Caldwell wont hit the panic button and just draft "a" QB because we have a high pick. He is very calculated and patient. He's already indicated he does not even know what there actual plan is until everyone declares for the draft, and that if there isnt a QB he deem fit for a #3 pick he will just pass.

[edjax]

When did Manziel declare?

[spuwho]

Bears sign Georgia punter Drew Butler. Looks like Podlesh is gone.

Per ESPN:

The Chicago Bears added to the roster on Tuesday by signing punter Drew Butler to a contract, according to multiple NFL sources.

Terms of the deal weren't immediately disclosed, but according to a league source with knowledge of the situation, the club is bringing in Butler -- the son of former Bears kicker Kevin Butler -- to compete with Adam Podlesh during training camp.

Butler was one of six punters to work out at Halas Hall back in Oct. in the wake of Podlesh finishing with a 28.8-yard net average on five punts in a loss to the Detroit Lions. The group included T.J. Conley, Chris Kluwe, Mat McBriar, Brian Moorman, and Tress Way. At the time, an NFL source pointed out that Podlesh has "struggled all year," "has lost strength" and "can't hang the ball at all."

A former fourth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Podlesh signed a five-year contract in 2011 with the Bears worth $10 million. The team considered cutting Podlesh during the season, according to an NFL source. But he showed improvement immediately after the club brought in six punters for tryouts, only to regress somewhat as the season came to a close.

Podlesh finished 2013 with a net average of 37.9 yards per punt, and had one attempt blocked.

In the season-ending loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Podlesh finished with a net average of just 29.3 yards.

[mtraininjax]

Bears sign Georgia punter Drew Butler. Looks like Podlesh is gone.

Question - Does this belong in the 2014 NFL Draft area? I can see it in the Jags space or Other NFL News, but really, the 2014 Draft?

Caldwell did well in last draft, I know we will take a QB somewhere, the NFL is a QB league, so its going to happen, we will have a new QB from somewhere, as well as help on D and the OL. So many needs and yet so many questions. Is Clowney your person, with his off the field issues? After Blackmon's off the field antics, does Caldwell want another distraction? Tough to draft a kid with great talent only to learn he violated NFL rules.

[I-10east]

I have a gut feeling this draft is going to be tricky.

No doubt about that. I'm a lil' dumbfounded with Caldwell giving a vote of confidence to both Henne and Gabbert recently; Especially knowing that we still need a real QB. 

[comncense]

Yeah, I haven't seen that Manziel declared for the draft yet either. However after watching a half of the UCF vs Baylor game... I definitely don't want Bortles at #3. My choice would be Teddy, Manziel (if he declares) and Clowney. I have a feeling we are going to have to trade with the Rams to get the #2 pick though. I'd imagine a lot of people will try to jump up to the #2 spot, knowing that the Jags are ideally looking to pick a QB at 3.

I am a bit concerned about Manziel and Clowney off the field. I think Manziel comes from a financially well off family but I can see him getting in trouble off the field. As for Clowney, not sure what's going on with him speeding all over the place lately.

I'm still kinda intrigued by Manziel. That would bring some instant star power to the Jags and possibly give us some prime time games. Teddy just seems like the overall safe bet though.

[duvaldude08]

I have a gut feeling this draft is going to be tricky.

No doubt about that. I'm a lil' dumbfounded with Caldwell giving a vote of confidence to both Henne and Gabbert recently; Especially knowing that we still need a real QB.

I wouldnt put too much thought into that. Watching the entire press conference, it was a vote of confidence for Henne to come back in some capicity, which I wouldnt mind, but the comments he made ab our Gabbert were neither here, or there. He referred to gabbery as a "solid back up" at the least. That isnt saying much. Caldwell's comments were definately posturing. The point he made was, they real have no real answers for anything right now. As he stated, they have to say who all declares first, then go from there. Thats the only thing I hate about the months leading up to the draft. There is a lot of what ifs and questions that will remain unanwered until after free agency, and the draft actually gets here. Which are all point Gus and David hit on during the press conference.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Just hope they don't reach for a QB. Will be tough to watch Henne or BG for another year though.

[tufsu1]

right now Bridgewater is rated as the #1 QB....but only the 7th best player in the draft.  I'm willing to bet that at least 2 of the top 6 teams draft a QB.  But at this point, I think the Jags might be better off finding a serviceable QB through free agency and using the first round draft pick on another position.

They also could choose to stick with Gabbert, suck really bad next year, and then get Jameis Winston (assuming he comes out) with the top pick

[mtraininjax]

Gabbert is gone, Gus has no confidence in him, which is why he never came back for the 2nd half of the season. Caldwell would never tell Gus he has to play someone he has no confidence in. I agree we could grab a QB in Free Agency, live with Henne as a starter or a later round QB. Gus has talent and I think he can mold a QB to be the player he wants, so not worried about QB.

Or D needs a pass rusher, we have not had a good one in so many years. Clowney has question marks, but he was dominant against Wisconsin. A beast as a DE. The Jags need a person with the skills and motor to make a difference in the backfield. Marks, Alu Alu and a few others on the D-Line, but Babin is not working and Branch could actually benefit from a guy like Clowney and visa-versa with helping him get acclimated to the league. I know that the Texans have a great rush guy and their season finished at 2-14, so getting one is not the magic bullet, but its all part of the equation to put enough good players on the field.

[BridgeTroll]

The Jags have so many holes... and lack of depth everywhere... I hope for a blockbuster trade down opportunity like the Rams and Washington.  We need lots of pix... 

[duvaldude08]

The Jags have so many holes... and lack of depth everywhere... I hope for a blockbuster trade down opportunity like the Rams and Washington.  We need lots of pix... 

Agreed. I want to us to take em to house and hoard as many picks as we can.