I noticed that the quests in this game are a bit... 'jumpy'.

Like the MQ for example. You're a prisoner sent to Helgen, a dragon attacks. From here, Ralof/Hadvar direct you to Riverwood, whose residents press you to acquire aid from Balgruuf, who sends you to investigate these dragons. All of these things make sense, as you get a feel of 'mystery' about these dragons and everyone speaks of them so eerily and worrisome. From there it's... I don't know, I guess the Greybeards sort of fit in, but then it turns into a mess when Delphine, Esbern, the Thalmor, and all that comes into play. It feels misplaced to me.

And then in Dawnguard, which suffers from it the most, comes along. At first it feels like a genuine Vampire DLC, with Isran rebuilding the Dawnguard and Harkon trying to set his plan into motion. Then you find Serana, and lead her to Volkihar Castle... from there it's pretty much lost. Going to the Ideal Masters realm, then all that Forgotten Vale nonsense, those Snow Elves, and all - it just feels misplaced. It's no longer about the Dawnguard, nor is it about the Volkihar Vampires; it's about the Dragonborn and Serana trying to stop a prophecy.

I only played through Dragonborn once, so I can't say much on it... however I remember it had that same feel to it... it started to feel misplaced.

Yes. The main quest can become a nuisance if you won't find yourself some time to do something else. Something like finding the lost cabbage of a malodorous peasant, for instance.

Part of the problem is the game throws so many quests at you early on that even focusing on the MQ seems to have you running all over the map doing all these different things. That coupled with the non linear play can make the game seem hectic and disjointed. Did you play Morrowind and Oblivion? Those MQs were just about the same as Skyrims, in running you all over the place. Morrowind was even more complicated as you had to gain the favor of NPCs that wanted nothing to do with you. At least in this game, most NPCs are willing to at least listen.

But, every good Fantasy Adventure story has the protagonists shlepping back and forth across the map to achieve their goals, so it kind of fits that too.

while I agree with the Op's sentiments, its kinda been that way since Arena lol.

was terribad in Daggerfall

Same in Morrowind (Blades, Guild, Vivec, Ashlanders Vivec, Azura's shrine, Ashlanders, Ur)

Oblivion? yep (IC, Chorrol, IC sewers, Arrius, Bruma + maybe the major cities if you choosed, Deadlands, than Bruma and IC)

Skyrim? you get my point lol.

I just The MQ was about the Dragonborn helping out the cities with Dragons, while working with the Greybeards to unlock the path of the Dragonborn.

The Blades thing could have a whole 'nother story, and the Thalmor with it.

Yes

Next game, the MQ should feature an optional story mode that gets rid of the constant jumping around and hopefully improves the narrative.

or have the jumping around be...limited, like you have several area's that could use your help, but how many you can address is limited. I don't mind having 5 fires across the country, but it would make sense that UNLESS I am completely ((((ing awesome in the game and as a character, I really shouldn't manage to quell all off them.

The jumping aroud part has always been a part of TES games, and it is something that is unlikely to change.

I agree with the OP about the main quest, after the first slain dragon you are all over the place, literally and figuratively.

Dawnguard? I felt a bit like, "Go off and be, 'friendly' with this vampire, play with butterflies, venture to the soul cairn, and do all this irrelevant garbage then finally you might be able to kill a few vampires."

Don't get me wrong about the soul cairn and forgotten vale though, they are good content, but they should not be involved with DG.

This.

Agreed. Also, some of the railroaded quests like the intro to the TG, Forbidden Legend, Forsworn Conspiracy, etc gets extremely over-whelming for those playing Skyrim for the first time.