Jacksonville Jaguars: Updated Draft Big Board After 1st Wave of Free Agency

Decisions, decisions...The Jacksonville Jaguars have big decisions to make in April when the NFL draft rolls around. Despite an active free-agency period, there are still some holes to fill for the Jaguars, and the decisions they make during the draft will be some of the biggest of the offseason.

The Jaguars have focused on the draft for the past couple of years as the primary way to rebuild and succeed in the long-term. While general manager Dave Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley have done well, there are no plans to let off the gas.

Caldwell and Bradley are ambitious about this season. The Jaguars won't shy away from their needs; they will be selective when it comes to not only their first overall pick, but all of their picks.

Looking at the Jaguars' progress this offseason, the remaining needs are at these three spots:

• Pass-Rusher
• Running Back
• Wide Receiver

Luckily for the Jaguars, all three of these positions have high-quality talent and a variety of options from which to choose. 

There's no guarantee that the Jaguars will hit the jackpot with their selections in this draft, but with a high pick and options, they can at least say they picked the best available.

Let's look at the Jaguars' draft big board.

1. Leonard Williams

Leonard Williams opens up the big board at the top spot. The Trojan has had a fantastic career at USC and a solid combine performance. However, while Williams may be the player the Jaguars desperately want, he may be just out of their reach.

Williams has all the traits and abilities teams look for in a defensive end. He's quick, strong and, most importantly, versatile.

Williams has shown adeptness at various spots of the defensive line, and on both sides as well. He is focused on getting to the quarterback and nothing else. 

He's a tough matchup for any lineman due to his combination of versatility and athletic ability. His quickness and size provide a difficult challenge for tackles, guards and centers.

However, as perfect as Williams seems, he may be out of reach for the Jaguars.

Many experts, including three of NFL.com's 4 draft experts, see the Tennessee Titans taking Williams with their second overall pick before the Jaguars can reach him.

Although that would be an unfortunate outcome for the Jags, there are still plenty of talented options available.

2. Randy Gregory

A more probable pick than Williams, Randy Gregory could be the Jaguars' next pass-rusher. Gregory has had a fantastic college career at Nebraska, and while he may not be the Jaguars' first option, he's by no means a consolation prize.

Gregory is a different player than Williams altogether. Where Williams has incredible size and quickness, Gregory has an incredible build and speed. Williams is quick with his feet and can burst, but Gregory is the better overall athlete.

Gregory is an edge-defender through and through, unlike Williams. Gregory has the ability to play as an end and as an outside linebacker. His speed and awareness allow him to bypass tackles with ease, and once he makes his move, he's extremely quick to close down on the quarterback. 

Gregory is at his best when he utilizes his long arms and quick hands with his speed. He's quick to neutralize his opponent's hands and then use his speed to blow by them and disrupt the backfield.

Gregory may not offer the versatility that Williams offers, but he's one of the best pass-rushers available and an incredible athlete. With the right development and work, he could be a star for the Jaguars defense.

3. Dante Fowler Jr.

A probable local favorite and a very good option as an edge-defender, Dante Fowler Jr. comes in at third on the Jaguars' big board. Fowler has been a positive for the Gators in a couple of seasons that weren't quite up to snuff, and if the Jaguars select him, I can see him as a positive in Jacksonville as well.

Although Fowler comes in at the third spot, he is just another option. Fowler is similar to Gregory in that he typically dominates the outside and is an incredible athlete.

However, Fowler stands out because of his ability to switch from the end to an outside linebacker position at the flip of a switch. Fowler can line up on either side and at either position and find his way to the quarterback thanks to his speed. 

Fowler's experience at linebacker also offers him as a better option should the Jaguars need to put him in coverage. He can stay with receivers in short-yardage situations whether it's at defensive end or as a linebacker, a big plus.

Also, it's no mystery that at least half of northeast Florida likes the Gators, and while that's not a primary player trait, it's one to consider. The fans love a player with whom they're already familiar, and selecting Fowler would garner a lot of hype from local fans.

Fowler may not be the selection the Jaguars feel best about, but he's still a very valid option. If push comes to shove and the Jaguars feel that Fowler is their best option, they won't be settling, they'll be deciding.

4. Amari Cooper

As the highlight video suggests, Amari Cooper may actually be "The Uncoverable WR." Well, maybe not "uncoverable," but definitely difficult. Cooper has proven through his time in Tuscaloosa that he can beat you in a variety ways, and the Jaguars could really improve with a receiver like that.

Cooper adapted to the spotlight well at Alabama in his freshman year as a starter and never looked back. After 228 receptions, 3,364 yards and 31 touchdowns, Cooper is ready to embrace a new spotlight as a top NFL wide receiver.

Cooper's got the size and athletic ability, but I think a lot of people forget about his ability to adapt to the game and to work to get open. When Cooper faces adversity, he tends to overcome it by the end of the game.

His combination of speed and size gives him a distinct advantage on most corners already, and the fact that he can adapt to the game makes him a tough matchup from the first snap to the final whistle.

The Jaguars' need for a lead wide receiver is apparent, but the need for a pass-rusher may be a more immediate one. That may leave Cooper to a later selection, but if the Jags do decide to add another weapon for quarterback Blake Bortles, Cooper has to be the top option.

5. Kevin White

As great as Cooper is, Kevin White is right up there with him. White dominated Big 12 secondaries week after week in 2014 and matches Cooper in athleticism. It's unlikely the Jaguars take a wide receiver, but if they plan to, White deserves a close look.

Widely respected for his size and strength, White turned heads at the combine with an incredible 40-yard-dash time of 4.35 seconds. For a guy who is 6'3" and 215 pounds, that is unbelievable. 

White's athleticism matches any receiver you'll find in the draft, and his technical skills aren't bad either. White is scary good at using his size to box out defenders and to give himself the space he needs to bring down a pass.

He doesn't typically burn defenders like Cooper, and he looks to use that ability to box out more often than not. However, his great speed may mean that he offers an option for streaking routes, as well.

White, like Cooper, will most likely be a guy the Jaguars pass on to focus on getting a pass-rusher. That's a reality of the NFL draft. If the Jaguars get offensive-minded come draft day, however, Kevin White will most likely be there and would be a great addition to the Jaguars for 2015.

6. Shane Ray

Shane Ray was on a mission in 2014: Find the quarterback, and take him down. He was one of the best in the country at this mission, and his play and leadership of the Missouri defense put him in the national spotlight and on the Jaguars' radar.

Ray was one of the most successful pass-rushers this past year, earning 14.5 sacks. Besides the fact that he was averaging over a sack per game in 2014, Ray is also a solid technical defender and has the ability to read and alert his teammates to the offense.

Ray enjoys the leadership role, and he showed that this past season. Ray prefers to lead by example, and the big plays he makes are those examples. 

However, as good as Ray was in 2014, he's not on the same level as players like Williams and Gregory. Ray is one-dimensional and lacks the versatility and the incredible athleticism of some of these other competitors .

Ray is a solid option for the Jaguars, but there are better players out there. However, Ray deserves a fair chance before any kind of dismissal. 

7. Vic Beasley

Vic Beasley has been one of the top pass-rushers in the country for some time now. A star at Clemson and a leader of that team, Beasley has been respected as one of the best college players for over two years now.

Beasley broke through at Clemson in 2012, when he came off the bench and started making big plays. Now with two full seasons as a starter under his belt, Beasley has experience in the spotlight as one of the most NFL-ready players in college football.

Beasley's hype peaked at the end of the 2013 season, when he was expected to leave for the draft as a junior. Instead, Beasley stayed another year with the Tigers and continued to perform well. But as other pass-rushers' popularity grew, Beasley's stock fell.

Beasley is still one of the best options for the Jaguars as a pass-rusher, but he's not worth the third overall pick. Should the Jaguars feel that Beasley is their guy, it would be a smart move to trade down and grab Beasley and get a pick or two in the process.

8. Melvin Gordon

Melvin Gordon is a lot of things: a powerhouse, a record breaker and, most importantly, a terrific running back. Gordon has terrified Big 10 defenses for a while with his fearless, tough running and individual performances.

Gordon has continued the trend of talented Wisconsin running backs and looks to bring that talent to the NFL. A starter for the Badgers for over two years, Gordon has a good amount of experience and a solid work ethic to boot.

Gordon was consistently a top back in college football and, out of all the running backs coming to the NFL, he is the one with the most experience. Gordon isn't flashy, but he is reliable, which is the type of back the Jaguars need with a young offense.

However, the strength of the running back position in the NFL has dipped considerably, and that has Gordon going in the late first round or the early second round. 

He may slip to the Jaguars' second-round pick, but if the Jaguars think they must have him, they would need to trade back. It would be a profitable deal for the Jaguars, but it's unlikely that they will actually make that trade.

9. Todd Gurley

One of the most electrifying players in college football, Todd Gurley has been a living highlight reel for the Georgia Bulldogs. Gurley has an incredible combination of speed, strength and vision and is one of the best overall athletes in the draft.

Gurley has been unlucky in his career with the Bulldogs, missing games in 2013 and 2014 due to injury. However, when Gurley is on the field, he is near impossible to stop. A major part of Georgia's offense, Gurley played three seasons with the Bulldogs, but just 28 games in that time.

Gurley offers a better big-play option compared to most backs. He is quick to make his cuts and find the hole, whether it's an inside power run or a sweep to the outside. 

Gurley is an incredible athlete, but his vision and decision-making are two underrated aspects of his game. He is decisive in his cuts and he knows that, while he wants to bust a big run, sometimes it's better to take the yards you can get and focus on the next play.

Gurley is a solid option for the Jaguars if they were to follow a similar plan to the one laid out for Gordon. Gurley won't go until middle or late in the first round, and if the Jaguars are committed to him, they could trade down and draft him and get something else on the side.

10. Jaelen Strong

It's a bit of a longshot, but I think that the Jaguars have to at least give Jaelen Strong a look. Strong is an all-around receiver with a lot to offer, and if the Jaguars find themselves with a trade offer to a mid-round pick, Strong is the guy I would go after.

Strong has been the star of Arizona State's offense for two years, and his back-to-back seasons of over 1,100 receiving yards is the main reason. Strong is accustomed to being a team's top receiver, and he'll be ready to take on the same role for an NFL squad.

Strong doesn't do anything better than any other receiver, but he does just about everything really well. He's got great hands and vision, and his athletic ability is near or on par with anyone.

Strong is a strong but unlikely option for the Jaguars at wide receiver. If they do like him, however, and the right trade offer is available, it would be a smart option for the Jaguars to select him with a mid-round pick.

---

As I said on the first slide: decisions, decisions...

The Jaguars have a lot of options from which to choose, and I'd say that just about all of them seem like sensible ones.

The Jaguars won't be able to select top talent for all three of their needs, but they may be able to snag one or two if they're lucky. The Jaguars have to make the best possible decision in any event.

It may be a trade or it may be a straight selection from the third pick, but the Jaguars have to find the plan that will satisfy their most important need and be a sensible long-term option, as well.

However, we've still got a little less than a month before that decision will be made, and there's a lot that can change. Here's to the chaos of the NFL draft.

All stats were provided by ESPN.com unless otherwise stated.

Evan Reier is a member of Bleacher Report's APSM program. Follow Evan on Twitter at @evanreier.