Open Rants by kkunert327

2022 NFL Draft Grades: Jacksonville Jaguars 

1 (1) - Travon Walker DE Georgia: C- 

• I’m not very fond of teams with the number one overall pick swinging for the fences. This is a pick where you can’t get it wrong and I feel like the odds of Walker being wrong is just too high. I know he has the tools and ability to turn into a solid player with better coaching. However, you don’t have to worry about that with Hutchinson (who I’m not even that high on, but at least we know what he can be).

1 (27) - Devin Lloyd LB Utah - D 

• I just don’t get the Jags' process this offseason where they released Myles Jack and overpaid for Foyesade Oluokun to only trade up to get Devin Lloyd. Who I might add might’ve slipped to the 2nd round to be had either way. I am also not a fan of a team with so many holes surrendering an extra 4th and 6th rounder also. Now Lloyd could turn out to be a fine player, but I can also see him being an afterthought of a talent until they can figure it out up front on defense and get better covering in the secondary. 

3 (1) - Luke Fortner C Kentucky - C+ 

• I feel like this is the pick you make after you traded away your fourth round pick. Fortner is a plug and play talent, but one I think they could have gotten in the th round or a similar type of player. Instead, they have to take him here after Brandon Linder’s surprise retirement. I would have just rather seen them help out their secondary a bit more here or go after a right tackle instead. 

3 (6) - Chad Muma LB Wyoming - D 

• Again like Lloyd he could turn out to be a solid player. However, again like the Lloyd pick, why did you cut Myles Jack only to overpay for Foye Oluokun. Now they have three possible starting linebackers in an era where most teams live out of the nickel with how pass happy offenses are. The only reason why it could make sense is the Jags are building a defense to stop the run with Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry, but I would do it by bringing in a tackle to stop the run up the middle. 

5 (11) - Snoop Conner RB Ole Miss - F 

• I honestly will never understand the need for teams to move up for a player on Day 3 unless your roster is so loaded that you don’t need all the picks (which the Jags are not). Running back is also not a huge huge need either with James Robinson and former first rounder Travis Eteinne looking to be the starting duo. He also doesn’t offer much in terms of being a third down passing option. All in all he seems like a dime a dozen back who could’ve been had later. Hell Jerome Ford and Kyren Williams went after him, both of whom I think are much better options to have even thought about trading up for. 

6 (18) - Gregory Joseph CB Ouachita Baptist - ? (insert shrug emoji) 

• Had no clue this was even a school and I really am not a fan of being too nitpicky in the later rounds where who knows who will turn out to be players or not. I’m just glad they finally decided to add to what to me has to be one of the shakier secondaries in the league going into the season right now. Still I have no opinion on the player seeing as how I assume most people had a clue who this guy was. 

7 (1) - Montaric Brown CB Arkansas - C?

• Again another player I didn’t even have on my radar. At least they’re adding to their secondary. My only issue is that he and Joseph look to be more Special Team contributor type talents than high upside possible starters down the road. I could be wrong, but neither seems to have much upside going forward. 

Overall: F

When you have the first overall pick even in a weaker class I feel like you need to know what you’re going to get. I’m not even the biggest Hutchinson fan, but at least he’s a leader and culture setter type talent. Where he can at least be relied on to have possibly 6-8 sacks a season at the very least.  Where the number I keep hearing from Walker is 10+ IF he can put it all together. Which is a big if after being only relied on to be a run stopper at Georgia with very little refinement as a pass rusher. I also did not love the Lloyd and Muma picks. Had they stayed at 33 and got Lloyd I would’ve liked it more. However, had they gotten Logan Hall and Chad Muma I think that would have been a better pairing. Also didn’t totally love the Fortner pick even though he fills a big need. Nor did I love trading up for a power back in Snoop Conner. While also not landing much upside with their two late corners. 

Overall, if you ask me it felt like the Jags painted themselves into a corner by what they did in free agency. Like overpaying for guys like Christian Kirk, Brandon Scherff, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram. By doing that they couldn’t say take a possibly better (and cheaper) receiver anywhere in the draft. They also forced their hand with the first pick by re-signing Cam Robinson, who yes is a solid tackle, but also not a great one. I would have been completely fine if they took either Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu instead of one of the pass rushers. However, once they signed Robinson it would’ve looked silly to take a right tackle with the number overall pick. All in all to me this is why you don’t let Trent Baalke run your franchise with how erratic some of his decision making can be throughout his career.