2014 Quarterback Class Making the Jump

Sep 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) passes against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Bortles

Blake Bortles was the first of the four quarterbacks off the board in the 2014 NFL Draft. He was the No. 3 overall pick so it would be safe to assume he has the most pressure on him of them all. And even though every moment of it wasn’t pretty, he showed he could be that guy given the right circumstances.

Bortles hung in the pocket tough all year taking punishment. taking 55 sacks in the 13 games he started. He’s had talent at receiver from the start but his offensive line and running back situation wasn’t so good. He completed 58.9 percent of his passes for 2,908 yards, 12 TDs, 17 INTs and had a quarterback rating of 69.5 last year.

I mentioned his offensive line but some of it was on him holding onto the ball too long and staring down receivers. And after looking like the same guy in Week 1, he flipped it in Week two, looking safeties off and going through his progressions quicker. He only completed 54 percent of his passes against a tough Miami Dolphins defense but he had 273 yards,  two TDs and no INTs.

He is now 1-1 in 2015 and the Jaguars look like they’re on the rise.

Next: Johnny Manziel