Blake Bortles trade rumors Jacksonville Jaguars Arizona Cardinals
Blake Bortles - Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Jacksonville Jaguars are going to look at every possible scenario when it comes to the 2017 NFL Draft. Having been a major player in free agency, the team now moves forward to the draft. Which is less than two weeks away.

This past week, the team continued to do its due diligence in researching and hosting potential draft picks. The team has also parted ways with veterans to clear cap space. Additionally, to help redefine the roster as both general manager David Caldwell and executive vice president Tom Coughlin see fit.

One thing that people are not discussing, until now, has been a potential trade involving current players. One, in particular, seems to be getting plenty of attention. Especially, since it seems to be benefiting another NFL franchise.

According to cardswire.com, Pro Football Focus has suggested the Arizona Cardinals send the 13th overall pick to the Jaguars for quarterback Blake Bortles. The idea behind such a move, according to Jess Root, is to find a successor for Carson Palmer. In addition to giving Bortles an opportunity to shine in another passing offense.

Cardinals head Coach Bruce Arians was successful in Indianapolis with Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck. As a result, he has since brought his show to Arizona with Palmer and an offense has thrived.

Bortles is still an unfinished product with plenty to learn and to work on. Many consider Arians somewhat of a quarterback guru. Therefore, could fix what is not broken but what is severely underdeveloped in the UCF star’s mechanics.

There is no secret that Coughlin wants consistency. He has spoken on many occasions this off-season how there must be better quarterback play, better offensive line play, and fewer mistakes committed when the Jaguars have a football. Over the past two seasons, Bortles has thrown 34 interceptions. As a result, he has thrown more pick-6s than many of us can count.

From a draft perspective, this could work out handsomely for Jacksonville. Armed with both the fourth and the 13th pick in the first round, plus the 35th pick in the second round. Consequently, this team could get healthy in a hurry. A likely scenario would be the Jaguars picking a running back or defensive lineman with the first pick. Subsequently, following it up with potentially a quarterback with Arizona’s pick. Then addressing the offensive line or linebacker with the pick in the second round.

If anything, a rumor like this has sent the fans here in Jacksonville into a frenzy. They have been very outspoken about the fact they are not happy with the quarterback play and have questioned the team’s decision-making when it comes to selecting draft picks.

The flipside to this, as the story explains, is the Cardinals could draft a quarterback in the first round on their own and have four years of cost certainty. The team also has a very low cap number for the position. The fifth year is a more expensive rate. Bortles’ salary with a fifth-year option will have a huge salary increase in 2018.

This only works if Carson Palmer retires after the season despite the fact that he is under contract for 2018.

 

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