JAGUARS SELECT OFFENSIVE TACKLE IN LASEST MEL KIPER MOCK DRAFT

John Korduner/Icon Sportswire

An offensive tackle in the first round?

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Mel Kiper of ESPN is one of the most well known NFL draft analysts in the business. He’s been covering the draft since before I was born. But he seems stuck on the idea that the Jaguars will nab an offensive tackle in the first round. 

In his first mock draft of this draft season, Kiper has the Jaguars selecting offensive tackle Cody Ford from Oklahoma. 

In his mock draft 2.0, released early Monday morning, Kiper changes the pick but sticks with the same position. This time he predicts the Jaguars will select offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor from Florida. 

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Here’s Kiper's explanation: 

I'm sticking with an offensive lineman for Jacksonville here, as I believe the organization is more likely to go after a veteran quarterback like Nick Foles or Teddy Bridgewater over a rookie. This is a talented team that has to have more consistent QB play to get back to the playoffs in 2019. Could Tom Coughlin trust a rookie starter? Taylor will likely play right tackle at the next level -- he made 33 starts there in college -- and he could step in and start on Day 1 for the Jags.

While I believe that Taylor is a strong player that projects to be an above average starting right tackle at the next level, he’s still not the guy I would advise the Jaguars to take. A trade up to number five to secure the services of Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins is still the best course of action for the Jaguars. Kiper has the QB-needy Giants selecting Haskins with the sixth pick in the draft. If the Jaguars do stick with the pick they currently hold, number seven overall, and Haskins is off the board, Tom Coughlin and company shouldn't consider an offensive lineman. Heisman winning QB Kyler Murray would be a fine selection.

Even if the Jaguars sign a veteran QB this offseason, the first round is simple. It’s Haskins, Murray or bust.