Deshaun Watson 2 day visit with Jaguars: Smoke screen or legitimate interest?

4/6/2017

The Jaguars are on the second day of a 2 day visit with Deshaun Watson. Is their interest real or fake?

By Jordan de Lugo

Deshaun Watson is one the second day of a two day visit with the Jaguars with in the friendly confines of EverBank Field. There are several factors that make this an interesting story.

1. Blake Bortles - The Jaguars have publicly been very committal towards their soon to be fourth year QB Blake Bortles. The EVP, GM, and HC have all publicly come out in support of Blake Bortles. While it's acceptable to draft a QB when you already have a starter it's probably not acceptable to draft one in the first round, which is likely where the Jaguars would have to select the National Champion QB. If the Jaguars are truly interested in Watson it could mean the end of Blake Bortles run as the Jaguars starter.

2. They are in full "win now" mode - The Jaguars have been rebuilding since . . . well for the better part of the last decade. It's clear based on the comments coming out of the organization, the fans expectations, and the tremendous talent that this team has on paper that the Jaguars are all in in 2017. This franchise must put out a winner in order to avoid long term fall out from fans. This is the end of the line for the "always next year" crowd. If this team falls flat on it's face in 2017 there will likely be a ton of turnaround within the organization and on the roster. Drafting a QB instead of a year one impact player like a running back or lineman just doesn't fall in line with the theme of this offseason.

3. Watson is the only player that has a two day visit with the Jaguars - While the Jaguars are meeting with many of the top prospects in this draft class, as far as we know they're only meeting with one of them for two days. That's Deshaun Watson. Now, Dave Caldwell is known to throw smoke screens around this time of year. The year he selected Blake Bortles with the third overall pick Caldwell famously told the media that he believed Johnny Manziel was the most pro ready QB in the class. So, could the Jaguars be spending time with Watson in order to try and lure a team into trading up for him only to allow Caldwell and the Jaguars to land the prize they truly covet?

4. I believe the Jaguars already know who they want to select in the first round - A couple of weeks ago Dave Caldwell made it clear that he would like the draft to "get here sooner rather than later" which would indicate to me that he is ready to hand in the card for the fourth overall pick. Would the Jaguars need to spend two days with a player if they already knew they were going to draft him? Probably not.

5. Perhaps the Jaguars would like to trade back into the first round if Watson is available in the late 20's - early 30's. It's possible that the Jaguars brass believes Watson is the best QB in the class. And it's possible that they, like many in the scouting community, believe that Watson might slide a little bit in the first round. It's also possible that the Jaguars believe he is too talented to pass up on if he lasts into the late 20's.

There are a ton of different factors here and only time will tell if the Jaguars truly do have interest in Watson. My guess - The Jaguars are putting on a huge smoke screen in order to seduce a team into trading up, either with the Jaguars or one of the top three teams on the board, and selecting Watson, so the Jaguars can either stay at four and get the guy the covet or move back and acquire a boat load of quality draft picks.

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