It has been said before that you can’t truly evaluate a draft class until at least three years out. So it is only fair that now is the time to re-grade Dave Caldwell‘s 2014 Jacksonville Jaguars draft class and see how everyone panned out.
Grading the Jacksonville Jaguars 2014 NFL Draft Class
Blake Bortles, Quarterback (Round One, Third Overall)
Grade: D
I think some may disagree with me on this and say that Blake Bortles still has the potential to be a franchise quarterback. By grading Bortles as a D, I’m not dismissing this idea. I’m simply stating that given what we have seen thus far, there isn’t much case to defend him. In the past two years, Bortles has thrown the most interceptions of any quarterback in the NFL. In his three years, he’s put together a record of 11-34, and although I don’t believe record should necessarily be completely attributable to the signal caller, it is undeniably the most important position on the field so consequently, a good deal of the blame must fall on him.
Marqise Lee, Wide Reeveiver (Round Two, 39th Overall)
Grade: B+
The perfect example of why time you have to wait three years to truly evaluate a draft class, Marqise Lee didn’t do a whole lot for the Jags in his first two seasons. However, this year he might have been deserving of player of the season. Lee had 851 yards and three touchdowns in his third year as a pro, and has shown that he can compete with Allen Hurns for the number two wideout spot going forward.
Allen Robinson, Wide Receiver (Round Two, 61st Overall)
Grade: A
Allen Robinson had a slight regression from year two to year three, but he’s still arguably the best player on the Jaguars. In a “down year”, Robinson still led the Jags in yards and touchdowns. In 2015, Robinson was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate in just his second year in the league. Robinson has been a phenomenal player for the Jaguars and deserves much credit for his performance.
Brandon Linder, Offensive Guard (Round Three, 93rd Overall)
Grade: A
Another fantastic selection. In round three, Caldwell elected to take Brandon Linder who in year three, has already become the Jaguars best and most versatile linemen. In an offensive line that hasn’t looked great, Linder has been a gem, as he made the transition from guard to center this year somewhat flawlessly.
Aaron Colvin, Cornerback (Round Four, 114th Overall)
Grade: B
Aaron Colvin was a bit of a risk, as he had serious injury concerns coming out of college. Were it not for these injury concerns, Colvin likely would’ve been a late first or early second-round selection. Given that the Jaguars managed to get Colvin in the fourth round, Colvin has been a solid player, as he is often very effective as a slot corner in the Jaguars defense.
Telvin Smith, Linebacker (Round Five, 144th Overall)
Grade: A
Telvin Smith has been easily one of the best players in the Jacksonville defense over the past three years and getting him in the fifth round? An absolute steal. In three years with the Jaguars, Smith has put together 350 combined tackles, three forced fumbles, 5.5 sacks, and four interceptions, while also proving to be a key leader on the Jaguars’ young defense.
Chris Smith, Defensive End (Round Five, 159th Overall)
Grade: C-
Considering that Chris Smith wasn’t drafted until the fifth round, he’s been a fine player. Smith has been a rotation contributor for the Jaguars, and has accrued 20 combined tackles and 4.5 sacks in three years with the team.
Luke Bowanko, Center (Round Six, 205th Overall)
Grade: C
Again, this grade is with respect to where Luke Bowanko was drafted. Bowanko started 14 games for the Jaguars in 2014, but has dealt with a few injuries since. Still a decent player for providing depth with the Jaguars, and deserving of a C grade because he wasn’t taken until the sixth round.
Storm Johnson, Running Back (Round Seven, 222nd Overall)
Grade: D
Even though Storm Johnson wasn’t taken until the seventh round, there isn’t much reason to defend him. He got 86 yards on 29 carries in 2014 and wasn’t returned for the 2015 season.
Overall
I would give this draft class a “B” with an asterisk. The reason I say with an asterisk is that I believe if Bortles pans out to be a franchise quarterback with the Jaguars, then this draft class becomes historically good. This draft class includes two starting wide receivers, the best linemen on the Jags, and arguably the best defensive player on the Jags too.
Combine this with the fact that the Jaguars signed Hurns as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and what you get is an incredible draft class. Still, the one pick that will always stand out is the first-round quarterback selection, and so Bortles must pan out to be a franchise quarterback for this draft class to receive the respect it deserves.
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