Report AFC exec believes Jaguars could target Amari Cooper

Jacksonville took two wide receivers in the second round last year and had Gregor Blanco Jersey another rookie finish second on the team in receptions, but one AFC personnel executive said he thinks the are targeting Alabama wide receiver with the No. 3 pick. The surprised numerous observers when they drafted quarterback with the third overall pick last year; they added wide receivers and in the second round. "I think people (again)," the personnel man told Yahoo Sports. "I think they like Cooper more than they are letting on. You hear things and they have been pretty good about what's getting out there. It's a lot like it was last year." The weren't closely aligned with Bortles last year, then made him the first quarterback off the board. Bortles predictably struggled as a rookie, performing behind a leaky line and without much of a rushing attack. In addition, three of the ' top four receivers were rookies; undrafted free agent was second on the team with 51 Robinson Cano Jersey receptions, while Robinson had 48 and Lee 37. The leading receiver was , who left for Houston via free agency. "Which of their receivers has the potential to be elite at his position and how many of them were healthy?" the personnel exec told Yahoo. " ... Maybe Cooper is the best player in the draft. If that's the case, you make two positions better with that pick -- and one of the positions you're improving (quarterback) is the most important in the game." From that standpoint, picking Cooper does make some sense: He can become a No. 1 receiver and would help rev up the pa sing attack. But each of the ' first four picks last year were offensive players, and you have to figure defense-minded coach Gus Bradley wouldn't mind more talent on that side of the ball. With quarterbacks potentially being the first two picks in the draft, the could have their pick of defensive players, and USC's (who went to high school in Daytona Beach, Darryl Strawberry Jersey about 90 miles south of Jacksonville) certainly would upgrade the talent level on the ' defensive line. Jacksonville also would have its pick of edge rushers, and you figure Florida's (or whomever the have as their top edge rusher) could step in and immediately be the team's best pa s rusher. Jacksonville Pedro Martinez Jersey has to find an instant-impact defender in this draft, and that likelihood obviously le sens if the don't pick that guy at No. 3. In addition, let's say Cooper is the third pick. The still have to find an offensive lineman (or two), and upgrading the talent level at running back (currently, the top three guys appear to be , and ) is a must, as well. The line has to improve: If there is a mediocre running game and no time for Bortles to throw, the could have and Randy Mo s lined up outside and it wouldn't matter. The picking Cooper No. 3 also would cause a bunch of receiver-needy teams a lot of angst. There appears to be a three- Dwight Gooden Jersey man top tier of receivers, with Cooper, West Virginia's and Louisville's . If the do go with Cooper, chances increase exponentially that a perceived second-tier receiver goes much earlier than expected. Conversely, if no defensive player is off the board in the top three, teams that covet Williams and/or need an edge rusher will be ecstatic. Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter .