Jaguars Will Listen to Offers for No. 3 Overall Pick

The Jaguars harbor aspirations of pulling off a coup similar to the one the Rams authored back in 2012, when they traded out of the No. 2 overall pick so the Redskins could move up and select QB Robert Griffin III. The Rams picked up two extra first-round picks and an additional second-rounder in that swap, fully leveraging the fact that that there was supposedly a huge drop-off at quarterback after Andrew Luck (who went No. 1 overall) and Griffin came off the board.

Perhaps the Redskins should have spent less time working the phones and more time scouting Russell Wilson, but that is neither here nor there.

The Jaguars could find themselves in a similar situation if the Buccaneers or Titans opt to pass on a quarterback. Just like 2012, the talent at the quarterback position is thought to fall off a cliff after the top two prospects (Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota) come off the board. The Jaguars have no interest in either QB prospect, still steadfast in their belief in 2014 first-round pick Blake Bortles.

“I would expect some calls,” said Jaguars GM David Caldwell. “But as you guys in the media know, you pick everything apart and some of the quarterbacks may fall just like some of the quarterbacks predicted to go high last year fell to the late first round. So you don’t really know what other teams’ value is.”

If the Buccaneers select Winston and the Titans go defense (presumably selecting USC DE Leonard Williams), there will reportedly be no shortage of teams interested in trading up for Mariota. Chip Kelly, who coached Mariota at Oregon, would love to swing a mega deal to acquire his former pupil. The Browns, who have two first-round picks, have also shown interest in moving up despite picking Johnny Manziel in the first round of last year’s draft.

You also have to keep an eye on the Jets and Bears, teams with top-seven picks and glaring question marks at quarterback.

If everything breaks right, the Jaguars could find themselves sitting in the catbird seat of the NFL Draft.

“We had no margin for error these last two years,” Caldwell said. “I think this year we could be more open.”

It also helps Caldwell’s cause that Jacksonville does not have legitimate designs on contending in 2015, so the team can happily accept a first-round pick in 2016 and/or 2017 as part of its compensation in any trade package.

Carolina Braces for Another Tough Farewell

One season after an ugly divorce from former franchise mainstay Steve Smith, the Panthers are poised for another difficult departure as they brace for the end of the DeAngelo Williams era. Williams, who is set to become a free agent, comes off a tough season in which he dealt with a broken hand and the death of his mother.

Williams has always been effective when on the field, averaging 4.8 yards per carry for his career, but his durability is a concern. He has missed 24 games since the 2009 season, including 10 last year. Cost is also an issue as Williams wraps up a five-year, $43 million extension he signed back in 2011 (it was renegotiated in 2013) that paid him well above market value.

At this week’s NFL Combine, Carolina GM Dave Gettleman refused to say whether Williams will be back. He spoke glowing of Williams, the team’s first-round pick in 2006, but focused on praising his past accomplishments rather than anticipating his future ones.

“I spoke to DeAngelo. We had a great conversation. It’s private, it’s confidential. It’s between us,” Gettleman said. “DeAngelo had a tough season. He lost his mom who he was very close to. He dedicated the season to her, and he just couldn’t stay healthy. And it was really hard for him.

“Then he broke his hand against Minnesota. That’s hard, especially when you’re 32. A 32-year-old running back in the NFL. It was extremely difficult. But he finished the season like a pro’s pro, and like a man. And I really respect DeAngelo for the way he finished it.”

Even if Williams moves on, the Panthers are well stocked at running back. Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert remain under contract, while Fozzy Whittaker is an exclusive rights free agent.

As for Williams, there is a chance he could follow Smith to Baltimore. The Ravens have been on the lookout for running back help ever since the Ray Rice fiasco. Justin Forsett, who replaced Rice last season, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.

Jackson the Latest to Fall on Sword for Dalton

Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson delivered the organization’s latest attempt to take some of the heat off embattled QB Andy Dalton at this week’s NFL Combine.

“I don’t think I did a good enough job of getting him to where I think he needs to be,” Jackson said. “That’s one of my biggest responsibilities in my mind this upcoming year.”

The erratic Dalton is coming off a down season in which he threw nearly as many interceptions as touchdowns (17 to 19) and finished with nearly 1,000 fewer passing yards than in 2013. More importantly, he fell to 0-4 in the playoffs. He couldn’t even deliver the game-winning drive in the Pro Bowl, when defenses are handcuffed Houdini-style.

Dalton is entering the second season of a six-year, $115 million extension. The deal includes a limited amount of guaranteed money, so the Bengals are not exactly stuck with the former second-round pick from TCU, but there are limited options for upgrading the quarterback position this offseason.

The free agent market is barren, with the top candidates being journeymen such as Brian Hoyer and Colt McCoy. The team could always draft some competition, but as alluded to above, there are no sure things after Winston and Mariota. That doesn’t leave a lot of options for Marvin Lewis & Co., although David Caldwell is always just a phone call away.

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