The Jacksonville Jaguars figure to address a few needs on the defensive side of the ball early in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Could that include a new name beyond the usual suspects of USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams and Florida's Dante Fowler, Jr.?
According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, it indeed could. Rapoport tweeted the team is hosting Clemson edge rusher Vic Beasley -- along with a host of other top prospects -- at the Jaguars' facilities on Tuesday and that he is under consideration to be taken with franchise's No. 3 overall pick later this month.
Beasley is, fittingly, NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock's No. 3 player among edge rushers this year, but he has been gaining ground on other prospects quickly the past few weeks following a top-notch display of athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine and Clemson's pro day.
Mock drafts have typically had the Jaguars taking either Williams, if he falls to them, or Fowler. Either option would provide a nice boost to the team's defense, but Beasley would be interesting as well.
Also, keep in mind that general manager David Caldwell is not afraid to draft a player higher than expected (see Blake Bortles last year), and there's even the possibility that the team trades back and still is able to grab somebody like Beasley. With a developing market for quarterback Marcus Mariota coming on strong in recent weeks, perhaps Jacksonville hears an offer that would net them additional picks as well as the opportunity to pick Beasley.
Who knows for certain how the draft will play out when the clock starts ticking in Chicago, but the Jaguars will certainly be keeping their options open when it comes to their first-round pick.
You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
