NFL Draft Grades - Jacksonville Jaguars
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Jacksonville Jaguars Upcoming 2024 Draft Picks (8)
Grade: A+
Contrary to popular opinion, the Jaguars didn't want Calvin Ridley back. They viewed him as problematic in the locker room. However, they knew they were going to miss Ridley's production, which would explain this selection. I love that the Jaguars traded down and acquired Thomas when they could have just as easily taken him at No. 17 without any complaints. This is an A+ pick for that reason.
Grade: C
Maason Smith is another talented player available here in the second round because of health issues. I thought Smith could be chosen later than this, perhaps in the third round. This pick has upside, especially with Smith potentially filling a big need, but there's a lot of risk with this choice as well.
Grade: C
Jarrian Jones is a very raw player who could end up being a decent starter, or could be out of the NFL in two years. Jones should have gone a round later than this, so the Jaguars definitely reached with this pick.
Grade: C
This is a reach, as Javon Foster was seen as a late third-day pick. He's very limited athletically, though he's coming off a solid year for Missouri last year. I don't hate the Jaguars finding more protection for Trevor Lawrence.
Grade: B
The Jaguars love these LSU defensive tackles. Jordan Jefferson isn't as good as Maason Smith, obviously, but he doesn't have the same injury issues. Jefferson is a solid Round 3-4 prospect who fills a need, so this is a solid pick.
Grade: B
Deantre Prince is a speedy cornerback who needs to really bulk up to avoid injuries. We had him pegged here in the fifth round, so he fits the range. He also satisfies as need, as the Jaguars had some major problems stopping the pass last year.
Grade: B
Myles Cole is a mediocre player with mediocre production at Texas Tech. He was also mediocre at the Senior Bowl. This gets a mediocre grade, as Cole was projected in the seventh round.
Walt's Mock Selections as of 4/22/2024 -View Current Mock Draft
Round: 1


The Jaguars have a big weakness at cornerback. They were terrible versus the pass last year, so an upgrade at the position would obviously go a long way in fixing the problem.
Quinyon Mitchell is raw, but he has incredible upside that could put him in the first round.
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Pick change; previously Nate Wiggins, CB
Round: 2


Jacksonville needs as much talent as possible up front to pressure the talented quarterbacks in their division.
Ruke Orhorhoro has a nice frame and decent upside, and he can play in both the 4-3 and 3-4.
Pick change; previously Payton Wilson, LB
Round: 3


The Jaguars signed Gabe Davis, but it sounds like they're still interested in adding one more receiver to the mix.
Some members of the media have Tez Walker projected in the first round, but some teams have him in the middle rounds because of separation question marks.
Pick change; previously Brandon Dorlus, DT
Round: 4


The Jaguars didn't give Trevor Lawrence the best protection last year, so that needs to change.
Tanor Bortolini played all three interior spots on Wisconsin's offensive line.
Pick change; previously Marcellas Dial, CB
Round: 4


Another defensive tackle for the Jaguars, who have never been the same defensively since losing Calais Campbell.
Michael Hall Jr. is a bit light, but he is incredibly fast off the ball and has great playmaking ability.
Pick change; previously Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, WR
Round: 5


Here's offensive line help for the Jaguars, who need to make sure Trevor Lawrence is as well protected as possible.
Isaiah Adams played both guard and right tackle for Illinois.
Round: 6


Some better competition is needed behind Travis Etienne.
Round: 7


The Jaguars could easily draft multiple receivers in the wake of Calvin Ridley's departure.
Past Grades and Selections
2024 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
A+ Contrary to popular opinion, the Jaguars didn't want Calvin Ridley back. They viewed him as problematic in the locker room. However, they knew they were going to miss Ridley's production, which would explain this selection. I love that the Jaguars traded down and acquired Thomas when they could have just as easily taken him at No. 17 without any complaints. This is an A+ pick for that reason.
C Maason Smith is another talented player available here in the second round because of health issues. I thought Smith could be chosen later than this, perhaps in the third round. This pick has upside, especially with Smith potentially filling a big need, but there's a lot of risk with this choice as well.
C Jarrian Jones is a very raw player who could end up being a decent starter, or could be out of the NFL in two years. Jones should have gone a round later than this, so the Jaguars definitely reached with this pick.
C This is a reach, as Javon Foster was seen as a late third-day pick. He's very limited athletically, though he's coming off a solid year for Missouri last year. I don't hate the Jaguars finding more protection for Trevor Lawrence.
B The Jaguars love these LSU defensive tackles. Jordan Jefferson isn't as good as Maason Smith, obviously, but he doesn't have the same injury issues. Jefferson is a solid Round 3-4 prospect who fills a need, so this is a solid pick.
B Deantre Prince is a speedy cornerback who needs to really bulk up to avoid injuries. We had him pegged here in the fifth round, so he fits the range. He also satisfies as need, as the Jaguars had some major problems stopping the pass last year.
B Myles Cole is a mediocre player with mediocre production at Texas Tech. He was also mediocre at the Senior Bowl. This gets a mediocre grade, as Cole was projected in the seventh round.
2023 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
B- I'm surprised the Jaguars didn't draft Deonte Banks, as the Giants moved into this spot and took him. Banks certainly fills a big need for the Giants, who didn't replace James Bradberry last offseason. However, I think this is a bit too early for him. I mocked him in this area, but I thought he should have gone in the second round because he's a raw prospect.
B The Bears desperately needed a second cornerback, and they selected a prospect who was once slotted in the first round. Tyrique Stevenson, however, slipped because of character concerns. However, he's a talented, big corner who should provide an upgrade at the position.
D Come on, guys, you have bigger needs than this. Tank Bigsby can help the Jaguars plow into the end zone, but Jacksonville already had two talented running backs in Travis Etienne and D'Ernest Johnson. The Jaguars had way bigger fish to fry.
B+ Ventrell Miller won't be a three-down defender, but that's fine because he'll help the Jaguars defend the run. I had Miller around this range, so I'm a fan of Jacksonville drafting him at this spot.
C+ The Saints needed a quarterback of the future, so Jake Haener makes sense to fill that role. Haener is an accurate quarterback, but has an injury history. I think there were better options at the position, but I don't hate this pick.
B- I don't know why the Jaguars need another receiver, but they have a million picks, so I guess they were bound to take one. Parker Washington projects as a solid slot receiver in the pros.
C Christian Braswell is an instinctive cornerback, but he's a small corner who will be pushed around. I didn't have him in any of my mocks, but the Jaguars could have landed a decent depth player.
B
B Cooper Hodges is a tough run blocker, but may have to move from tackle to guard in the pros. The Jaguars could use another guard, so that should be just fine. Hodges makes sense in this range.
2022 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
B+ Grade
Jaguar fans will ask, "Is there anything the Jags could've done to get an 'A' grade?" The answer is trading down, but that wasn't a possibility because teams weren't interested in moving up in this mediocre draft class. So, no. But I was thrilled to get a B+ when I was in school, so this grade is perfectly fine. I like that the Jaguars chose the upside in Walker over the safety in Aidan Hutchinson. Walker has a much lower floor, but you don't win Super Bowls by being safe. The Jaguars kicked off the 2022 NFL Draft Grades with a solid B+.
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A Grade
Devin Lloyd could have gone 10 picks earlier than this without any complaints, so I like Jacksonville's decision to move up a few spots to obtain him. Lloyd is a terrific linebacker who is very versatile. He's a good player, and the Jaguars don't have many of those on their defense.
A- Grade
The Jaguars finally found some help for Trevor Lawrence. It took a while, but better late than never. Jacksonville wanted Tyler Linderbaum at No. 33, but they'll definitely settle for the versatile Luke Fortner, who should be able to replace the retired Brandon Linder at center.
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C Grade
I like the player, but hate the fit. The Jaguars spent tons of money on linebacker in free agency and then traded up for Devin Lloyd. Why would they draft another linebacker? This seems so redundant. Again, I like Muma, but there were many greater needs.
A Grade
I love the value and the fit of this pick. Zyon McCollum has nice size and length for a cornerback, and I thought he would be chosen in the fourth round, or perhaps even the third frame. The Buccaneers had to find better depth at cornerback, and McCollum should provide that.
B+ Grade
The Lions had tons of neds entering the 2022 NFL Draft, and linebacker was one of them. Malcolm Rodriguez was someone I had in the fifth- or sixth-round range, so this seems like another solid choice for Detroit.
B Grade
Grant Calcaterra is a major injury risk. He actually had to retire for a season because of concussion issues. He could be a big producer if he sticks around in the NFL, but one more head injury could be curtains for him.
B+ Grade
Cade Mays has great physical talent, but he has some injury concerns. If he can get over those, he'll be a potential starter down the road for the Panthers, though that may not be so difficult, given the team's major blocking issues. It's nice that Mays can play every position.
B+ Grade
Isaiah Thomas was someone I toggled between the sixth and seventh rounds, but didn't make the final cut in the mock. The Browns need edge-rushing help, so perhaps Thomas will be able to contribute at some point.
B Grade
Deane Leonard wasn't on my radar at all until he ran a 4.39 40 at 6-1. He has quality upside, which is what you want from your late-round picks. Besides, the Chargers need as much corner help as possible.
2021 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
A+ Grade
I've been running this Web site for more than 21 years, and Trevor Lawrence is the best quarterback prospect I've ever covered. Unless he suffers a barrage of injuries throughout his career, I can't see him busting, or even being slightly better than mediocre. There's a very good chance Lawrence will be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL over the next 15 years or so. The Jaguars deserve an A+ not only for the pick; but for making it happen. The Jets won some meaningless games late in 2020 and lost out on Lawrence. The Jaguars, conversely, seemed to tank late in the year (versus the Bears in particular) because they knew that doing so would allow them to be a Super Bowl contender for a long time.
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F Grade
Ugh. Apparently, the Jaguars didn't read my analysis of the D- grade I gave to the Steelers. There's no reason to select a running back in the first round. It just has an extensive losing track record. Travis Etienne projects to be a good player, but this pick simply wasn't necessary, especially when considering that running back was not a need at all. That's the difference between the Steeler and Jaguar grades.
A- Grade
The Jaguars had a miserable defense that they needed to address, so this is the beginning of that. There was a huge hole at cornerback across from C.J. Henderson, which Tyson Campbell will fill. Campbell is a lengthy cornerback I had in the first round of some of my updates. I eventually moved him into the middle of Round 2, but this is the right area for him.
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B- Grade
Walker Little is a risk. He's had a long layoff from football because of an injury in 2019. I thought he would fall in the 2021 NFL Draft as a result. However, he projects to be a quality pass protector, so I won't complain too much about this pick because the Jaguars had a weakness at tackle and they had to protect Trevor Lawrence.
A- Grade
The Jaguars have been heavily criticized for their bad draft thus far by many, but this is a strong selection. Andre Cisco is a very instinctive safety who can start right away for a secondary that sorely needed help in the secondary entering the offseason.
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A- Grade
Jay Tufele was expected to go early in the third round, so the Jaguars are getting some nice value with this pick. They have yet to replace Calais Campbell, so it would make sense that they would target a defensive tackle with this selection. Tufele obviously won't be Campbell, but he has some nice upside.
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A- Grade
The Rams lost some defensive backs this offseason, so they had to address both positions. Robert Rochell is someone I've had in the fourth round of my mock draft, so I like the value the Rams are getting with this selection.
D Grade
Luke Farrell is not someone I had on my radar as a draftable prospect. The Jaguars needed to address their hole at tight end - and not because Gerald Everett left - but there were many better players at the position.
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Also, if you'd like to support the site, check out my book! It's available on Amazon, and it's called A Safety and a Field Goal.
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B+ Grade
Another good pick for the Texans! What is happening? Garrett Wallow is an athletic, albeit undersized linebacker. The upside is there, however, and I had him in the fourth round, so I like this value.
B Grade
I don't think I would have gone with a third receiver if I were the Rams, but this is pick No. 249, so it's not a big deal. I had Ben Skowronek mocked eight picks earlier than this, so the range is obviously something with which I agree.