Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars draft preview: WR or DL/LB seem likely with No. 3 pick

Published Apr. 29, 2015 11:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

After taking an offensive lineman with the No. 2 pick in 2013 and a quarterback with the No. 3 pick a year ago, the inclination is to think the Jacksonville Jaguars will address their needs on the defensive side of the ball when they select third again in the NFL Draft.

Then again, there was little to no indication last spring that general manager Dave Caldwell was leaning toward UCF's Blake Bortles instead of Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who went fourth, or Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack, who was chosen right after Watkins.

Once more, wide receivers and linebackers figure prominently in the pre-draft buildup surrounding the Jaguars, who won only three games in 2014 while finishing 31st in total offense and 26th in total defense. While the defense increased its sack total from 31 in Gus Bradley's first season as head coach to 45 a year ago, the need for a reliable edge rusher stands out on a team largely dependent on 33-year-old Chris Clemons in that role.

Caldwell's final decision will be based to a considerable extent on what the Tennessee Titans wind up doing with the second pick. If the Titans follow the expected lead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and choose a quarterback, the Jaguars can get a clear shot at strengthening their defense, as many experts are predicting:

But a year after using two second-round picks on wide receivers Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson, Caldwell hinted Friday that he wouldn't be opposed to further bolstering themselves at a position where they did not add anyone via free agency.

"We're not going to bypass a guy if he's going to be (an) eight-to-10-year, really good player, Pro Bowl-type guy for a guy that's just going to be a defensive end and get us four sacks a year," he said.

The possibility also exists that the Jaguars might move down in the first round by trading the pick in order to acquire additional selections. Open competition has been an oft-repeated mantra by Caldwell and Bradley since their arrivals, and that won't change following a season where the only Jaguar close to being a Pro Bowl-type guy (defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks) is coming off major knee surgery.

Here are five names to watch Thursday night in Chicago. They all have pros and cons, like each player awaiting his fate. (Listed by amount of desire and likelihood of availability.)

DE/DT LEONARD WILLIAMS, USC

Pros: He's an enormously powerful lineman able to jolt blockers with his hands and hard to redirect once he gets going. One scout has called Williams, who played at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach before heading west, a younger version of Reggie White because of his ability to line up at almost every position along the line and excel. With coaching and more experience, his combination of athleticism and power should make him a consistent pass-rushing force. And his body should be able to take on additional weight and muscle.

Cons: He's still very raw, so the physical abilities he got away with using in college might not suffice by themselves at the next level. Williams needs to develop a series of pass-rush moves to complement his skills as a run-stopper. There are also questions about his pursuit when a play heads away from him.

DE/OLB DANTE FOWLER, JR., FLORIDA

Pros: He has an athletic build with very long arms and can rush from either a two-point or three-point stance. Quick with his first step, and scouts have said his spin move has gotten better. If his rush technique improves, he could develop into a double-digit sack performer. At Florida's Pro Day three weeks ago, Fowler said he was convinced the Jaguars won't pass on him if the Titans select Williams. "I'd be stunned, just because of the scheme that Coach Gus has," Fowler said.

Cons: The Jaguars have been a 4-3 team under Bradley, and Fowler is more of a 3-4 outside linebacker. He's still leaning the position and has been criticized for having too much wasted motion in his pass-rush approach. Can he be consistent at stopping the run?

LB VIC BEASLEY, CLEMSON

Pros: A former running back, he has developed into an edge rusher able to change directions and get to the quarterback. While his rushing comes primarily from a two-point stance, he is able to drop back into pass coverage. His hands are considered one of his strongest assets and should continue to improve with more coaching.

Cons: Like Fowler, he projects more as a 3-4 outside linebacker. It's hard to imagine the Jaguars passing on both Fowler and Williams to take him. He's more likely to be chosen if they trade down. His legs are thin and his arms aren't especially long, and scouts are concerned that he lacks the sort of aggressiveness needed to stand out at his position.

WR KEVIN WHITE, WEST VIRGINIA

Pros: At 6-3 and 215 pounds, White is as big and strong as Robinson but with better speed, having run the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds at the combine in February. The problems he had with drops in 2013 after being a junior-college transfer were non-existent last season. He'll compete for the ball when it's in the air, and he's tough to bring down when he turns upfield after making a short catch. After landing tight end Julius Thomas in free agency, adding White will further increase the weapons at Bortles' disposal.

Cons: Questions linger about how effective he'll be against press coverage when White has seldom been positioned along the line of scrimmage. Receivers must also be able to block, and he could stand to use more work in that area.

WR AMARI COOPER, ALABAMA

Pros: A complete receiver with game-changing ability, Cooper could figure more prominently after a report Tuesday in which a personnel man for a team in the same conference as the Jaguars said they like him more than Caldwell or Bradley is letting on. He's not the least bit afraid at going across the middle and works to make himself an open target instead of sitting in zones. Has played both outside and in the slot.

Cons: He doesn't have blazing speed or exceptional size, and his tendency to sometimes stop or adjust a route could put Bortles -- who was intercepted 17 times as a rookie -- in danger of getting picked off. As with White, his run blocking can improve. Drops have been an issue from time to time.

You can follow Ken Hornack on Twitter @HornackFSFla or email him at khornack32176@gmail.com.