Jacksonville Jaguars: Analyzing Latest NFL Draft Rumors and Reports

The offseason can sometimes get frustrating to keep up with, especially for a team that has either been active or open to moves like the Jacksonville Jaguars. There are lots of rumors and reports, and they can completely overtake the core aspects of the offseason.

Whether it's a trade rumor or even a mock draft, various reports and speculation follow the Jaguars just like every other NFL franchise. It's fun to talk about, but which rumors are worth mentioning?

It depends on what you want. Do you care about facts? Then go to any message board you can find and have some fun. If you're looking for anything concrete, then you almost always have to wait for your national broadcast or Twitter spree by ESPN's Adam Schefter. Even then, the best get fooled.

The Jaguars have been a relatively active team this past offseason, but besides the opening raid on free agency in the first week, it's been pretty quiet on their front. The recent signing of center Stefen Wisniewski was a smart, important one, but it was neither foreseen nor a big-time signing.

With the 2015 NFL draft inching ever-nearer, however, the past few days have seen a flurry of new rumors.

Everything from trades in the draft to trades outside of it have surfaced, but are the situations put forward even worth considering?

The Jaguars have one of the most important weeks of the year coming up, and to help keep up with it, here are five rumored scenarios that may play out.

Bud Dupree at 3?

Doug McSchooler/Associated Press

Bud Dupree seems excited for the NFL draft, and for good reason. The Kentucky Wildcat has taken the draft by storm, climbing his way up the rankings and impressing everyone with his top-notch pass-rushing ability and athleticism.

But is he good enough to be selected third overall in the draft? Maybe. The Jaguars' need for a "LEO" (weak-side edge player) is pretty well-known, and Dupree is pretty impressive.

With that said, so is his competition, such as Dante Fowler, Randy Gregory and Vic Beasley.

Albert Breer of NFL.com believes that Dupree's draft stock has been rising very significantly:

"

Dupree stood out in Indy by posting a 4.56 40 at 6-foot-4 and 269 pounds, but really, his work through the offseason gauntlet has been outstanding end-to-end. ... Because of his athleticism, makeup and on-field motor, teams feel like they can work with him, even if he's a little raw. So he's now in play in the top 10.

"

Breer is completely right. His performances at the NFL Scouting Combine and throughout the offseason have been incredible, and that gives teams a lot of faith in his potential ability. Whether the Jaguars are one of those teams remains to be seen.

I think Dupree would be a solid pick, and as far as he's moving up in the draft projections, it could very well happen. However, I don't think the hype is strong enough for the Jaguars to be convinced to take him at third overall.

There are too many options available for Dupree to jump in my opinion, but that doesn't mean the Jaguars don't want him.

They can get him and more if they make a safe trade down, possibly with the New York Jets at No. 6 or another team that may want quarterback Marcus Mariota or wide receiver Amari Cooper.

Dupree is a fantastic athlete and had a pretty good career at Kentucky, but if the Jaguars want him, I don't see them taking Dupree at No. 3. It'd be much more sensible to trade down to a comfortable spot and get the most of this draft if Dupree is general manager David Caldwell's guy.

Trade with the Bears for Forte and 7th?

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

The Jaguars made offers for DeMarco Murray this past offseason in hopes of finding a top back to help create a balanced attack, but they lost out due to the Philadelphia Eagles' huge bid.

However, they may still have a chance at landing a veteran running back.

The Chicago Bears are looking to change things up with new head coach John Fox and new GM Ryan Pace, which means that running back Matt Forte's time in Illinois may be drawing to a close.

Jeff Reynolds of NFLDraftScout.com (h/t CBSSports.com) wrote the following on April 14th:

"

If Winston is somehow on the board third or fourth overall, the Bears could open trade talks with the Jacksonville Jaguars with running back Matt Forte and the seventh overall pick. Forte is skipping offseason workouts and hopeful of a new deal. The Jaguars need a bell-cow back after kicking the tires on DeMarco Murray in free agency. Chicago could attempt to replace Forte in one of the deepest running back draft pools in at least a decade.

"

The odds of this trade coming to fruition are most likely slim to none, but it's an extremely interesting deal. The Bears are looking to revive the franchise, and a move like this one would certainly kickstart it.

However, is giving up the third overall pick worth Forte and the the seventh overall pick? The Jaguars do need a top-tier back and Forte has consistently been one of the best. His lowest single-season total of rushing yards is 929 in 2009.

My main issue with this trade is Forte, despite his impressive career. At 29, Forte has maybe two or three good years left. He hasn't shown many signs of regressing, but his age is an undeniable issue.

Forte and the seventh pick could mean the Jaguars could still get their LEO and be able to get a top back. It'll depend on whether Winston is on the board at No. 3, but if he is, the Jaguars could get a top pass-rusher and veteran back.

If the Jaguars think having a back for the next couple of years is a simpler solution than trying to find one in the second round, then it's a great trade.

Forte's durability has to be questioned, though, and it's pretty unlikely Winston will be available when the Jaguars are on the clock.

Jaguars Trade for AP?

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

Arguably the top running back of the five years prior to last season, Adrian Peterson has had a hectic past year due to his legal troubles. The Minnesota Vikings may be looking to part ways with him due to that, and the Jaguars may be his next destination is some people's minds.

Peterson has dominated the NFL as a running back, failing to breach 1,000-plus yards in a season just twice in his eight-year career (last season when he played one game and in 2011 when he played 12).

No one has been more consistent and sensational.

The Vikings might be looking to move on from AP, and if they are, the Jaguars could be in a position to get to him, according to the Pioneer Press' Chris Tomasson.

"

The source said if the Vikings want to trade Peterson, they never will have more leverage than during the April 30-May 2 draft. The source said Minnesota could be able to entice a team once Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley, the two top backs in the draft, are off the board.

The source named six teams in the mix for Peterson: Arizona, Atlanta, Dallas, Jacksonville, San Diego and Tampa Bay.

"

Now, the Jaguars aren't the only team which could make a move for AP, but if they want him badly enough, they also have a good amount of leverage with the third overall pick. The highest pick of all the teams "in the mix" may put the Jaguars on an equal level to the Vikings leverage-wise.

The issue with this trade is the same with the Forte trade: AP's age. Peterson is now 30 years old and entering his eighth full season in the league, and in running back years, he's hitting the twilight of his career.

There's no denying that Peterson still has some gas in the tank and could make an impact for almost any team.

Giving up the third overall pick, however, may not be worth a back who's not getting any younger—no matter how great their career has been.

If the Jaguars do trade back and get a veteran running back in the process, I'd prefer the deal with the Bears. Forte and the seventh pick means the Jaguars could still have a few options for a LEO and younger back than AP.

Meanwhile, the Vikings' 11th overall selection may leave the Jaguars with zero options left for a first-round LEO.

Trade with the Browns for 12 and 19?

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Usually when a team takes a quarterback in the draft, it typically waits a couple of seasons—at least—before picking another. That may not be the case for the Cleveland Browns, who have the 12th and 19th overall picks.

The Jaguars could end up reaping the benefits if they do wish to select a QB.

The Browns seem very interested in trading up, and with their first-round picks, they've got the ammo to pull off a trade. According to DraftInsider.net's Tony Pauline, moves have already been attempted:

"

Expect the talk of teams wanting to trade up for Marcus Mariota to pick up intensity in the coming week. From all accounts I’m hearing the Cleveland Browns are the front runners and working hardest in the hopes of acquiring the quarterback. Early last week I was told the asking price from the Tennessee Titans was both of the Browns first round picks as well as their choice in the second round, to which Cleveland replied no. 

"

Big Cat Country's Alfie Crow suggests the Jaguars may be the next potential trade partner for the Browns.

The Tennessee Titans asked for a lot in that rumored trade, and that may imply they want the top overall quarterback, but they could also just be trying to get as much from a trade as possible. If the Browns are done negotiating with them, the Jaguars are the next team in line.

A deal would depend on if Mariota has already been taken, but if he's available at third overall, do the Jaguars trade with the Browns? A trade down would seemingly be a downgrade for Jacksonville, but I don't think this is the case at all.

The Jaguars could get a running back and potentially a pass-rusher with those two selections, not to mention anything else the Jaguars could pry out of the Browns.

If they want Mariota more than anyone else on draft day, they'll throw in more if needed.

Trading down isn't always a popular move, but in this case, it could be the smartest move available. Two first-round talents instead of one and whatever the Browns are willing to give up amounts to a solid return. That could make for a big momentum change within the organization.

Amari Cooper to the Jaguars?

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

Amari Cooper is thought to be a top-10 pick in this year's draft, and deservedly so. Cooper was the top receiver in the country statistically last season with 1727 yards and 16 touchdowns. He will be a hard talent to pass up.

Cooper is seen as a guy whose stock will fluctuate with team needs, mocked as early as the Jaguars and as late as the Vikings with the 11th pick.

The key question for the Jaguars, however, is based around production: Does Cooper offer more at WR than the top LEO offers at his position?

According to ESPN's Todd McShay, Cooper absolutely does:

"

They could also add a true No. 1 receiver for second-year QB Blake Bortles in the hopes of giving him the best chance to succeed. That's what Cooper is, as he is as polished a WR prospect as you'll see coming out of college, with tremendous savvy as a route-runner and very good separation skills, ball skills and big-play ability.

"

McShay isn't lying. Nobody looks as refined as Cooper does, and even though he is dynamic and provides numerous big plays a game, it's almost like clockwork. He's consistent and strong, and would be an incredible weapon for Blake Bortles to work with.

Cooper does offer a lot, but would it match the potential production of the top LEO? I'd say he's more of a sure bet, but the draft is a gamble no matter whom you choose.

The top LEO, whether it's Dante Fowler, Randy Gregory, Vic Beasley or even a hybrid like Leonard Williams, is no more of a gamble than Cooper is.

But in the current situation, I'd say that a LEO is the best fit. While Cooper is a fantastic receiver, the Jaguars have three second-year receivers and new tight end Julius Thomas to assist Bortles. For the time being, getting a perfect fit at LEO could offer the Jaguars so much more.