Continuing with our Advent Calendar series, I’ll take an in-depth look at Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles. If you missed yesterday’s edition, you can find it here.

So, what do we actually know about Blake Bortles?

Drafted out of the University of Central Florida in the 2014 Draft with just the third overall pick, the physically impressive Bortles (6’5″, 240lbs) marked a change in direction for the Jaguars.

Having thrown the towel in on 2011 first rounder Blaine Gabbert, the Jags needed to find “their guy” in 2014 . The face of the franchise. Someone who will hold the position for anywhere between 10 and 15 years. Their Ben Roethlisberger, their Eli Manning, their Phil Rivers. The idea seems to be getting a guy to throw the ball in dependable and consistent manner and is at no time considered for replacement.

So is this Blake Bortles?

Well, the Jaguars were sold on Bortles in 2014. Seeing no reason to be interested in any other quarterbacks (Teddy Bridgewater, Derek Carr and Johnny Manziel were all available) or even to trade down, the Jags had a very strong feeling Bortles was to be the future in Jacksonville.

Not wanting to rush Blake into the action, the Jaguars allowed him time to sit behind then starting QB Chad Henne. Originally they said this would be for the entire season, but after an impressive pre-season and a poor first few games by Henne, it wasn’t long before Bortles was making his NFL debut in the second half of a blowout against the Indianapolis Colts.

After posting an impressive 14 completions on 24 attempts with two touchdowns, Jaguars’ Head Coach Gus Bradley named Blake Bortles the starter.

Bortles went on to have a steady rookie campaign. Throwing for just shy of 3000 yards and 11 touchdowns, Bortles came in for some criticism for his 17 interceptions, accumulated in just 13 starts. I felt this was largely unwarranted, as I believe all criticism to be based solely on interception statistics. Many times Bortles saw his passes balloon off the hands of his young receivers and into the gleeful clutches of a braying defensive back, attaching no blame to the rookie signal-caller whatsoever.

Having said that, Bortles’ tendency to throw back-breaking interceptions has been exposed in his second season in the NFL.

Of his 13 interceptions so far in the 2015 season, six have come in the fourth quarter; three of those came when the Jags were down by seven points or less. It’s situational factors like this that can really make or break a young quarterback. Nobody cares about your high first-half completion percentage if you’re going to throw darts to opposition linebackers in the fourth quarter.

If Bortles is planning a stay of many years in the NFL, it’s mental mistakes like these he must seek to iron out of his game.

Moving on from disappointment, though, Blake Bortles has shown some upside in 2015. Having surpassed his passing yardage from last year in two fewer starts, Bortles has shown himself to be an all around better decision-maker in his second outing. Lobbing 22 touchdowns has helped the Jaguars to four wins this season, already one more than they managed in 2014.

Bortles has also shown off his ability to use his legs in his NFL career. In 2014, Bortles was second only to Russell Wilson in rushes by quarterbacks of 20 yards or more, with seven. In 2015, Bortles has picked up 17 first downs with his legs in just 11 games.

Surrounded by a young, talented supporting cast (Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, T.J. Yeldon, and Julius Thomas), the sky is the limit for this Jaguars team. If Bortles develops into the player the Jags thought he was at the 2014 Draft, don’t be surprised if Jacksonville are challenging for a wildcard spot in 2016.

So, how do we offer judgement on Blake Bortles? Having shown some flair in his first two years in the league, the Jaguars are giving him every chance to succeed with a good young team being built around him.

When answering how good Bortles himself can be, it might still be too early to tell. But for now, you’d call the Jaguars mad for trying to replace him; and maybe that’s his saving grace.

Keep plugging away Blake, and I have a firm belief you could be the next Matt Ryan or better.