Grading the Jaguars 2024 draft class

With the 2025 NFL Draft simply across the nook, it appears pretty much as good a time as any to overview how the Jaguars fared throughout their final annual choice assembly. Acknowledging that the primary 12 months of an NFL gamers’ profession doesn’t essentially decide the trajectory of the remainder of their time as an expert – and in addition that Jacksonville’s entrance workplace has a very completely different look now to what it did then – we will not less than gauge the groups draft weekend efficiency primarily based on yr one’s returns. Let’s get into it!

Spherical 1, Decide 23: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

We don’t want greater than 17 video games to know that the primary spherical number of Brian Thomas Jr was a house run hit. 87 catches, 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first marketing campaign noticed the LSU receiver in a short time set up himself as WR1 for the Jaguars. Already thought-about a top-10 WR within the league, he’ll be burning corners for years to return.

Grade: A+

Spherical 2, Decide 48: Maason Smith, DT, LSU

A right away contributor on the defensive entrance, Maason Smith loved wholesome snap numbers his first six video games as a Jaguar with modest manufacturing – his first sack coming in opposition to the Chicago Bears in mid-October. An ankle damage meant he was inactive for a 5 sport stretch in the course of the season earlier than having fun with an elevated function down the stretch – averaging over 60% of snaps the remainder of the yr. Smith began the final 5 video games of 2024 and appears set for a beginning function the approaching yr.

Grade: B-

Spherical 3, Decide 96: Jarrian Jones, CB, Florida State

Already a crowd favourite for his tenacity on the sector, Jarrian Jones eased his approach into defensive duties with the Jaguars final yr. Predominantly that includes as aid at nickel to begin his profession, important damage within the secondary noticed Jones moved across the again finish to cowl the place wanted. Good performances on the surface noticed his snap numbers improve, along with his interception in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers in Week 8 and a five-tackle efficiency within the win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 16 specific highlights. Jones is slated to be a starter on the surface in 2025 – not unhealthy for a third spherical decide!

Grade: B+

Spherical 4, Decide 114: Javon Foster, OT, Missouri

A wholesome scratch for all however 4 video games his rookie season, Javon Foster did not make any influence on the Jaguars’ depth chart in 2024. With zero snaps performed on offense and simply 12 on particular groups (9 of which got here within the closing two video games), there’s little or no tape to find out his function or worth shifting ahead. A giant offseason awaits for the Missouri offensive deal with.

Grade: E

Spherical 4, Decide 116: Jordan Jefferson, DT, LSU

The second inside defensive lineman and third LSU Tiger taken on this draft, Jordan Jefferson was most likely not anticipated to threaten any starters in yr 1. And so it proved – it took him six weeks to make the lively gameday roster, his debut coming in London in opposition to the Bears. From then on the defensive deal with turned an unlikely contributor for a six sport stretch, peaking in opposition to the Detroit Lions in Week 11 with 35 snaps. Maybe the 52-6 humbling at Ford Discipline contributed to his benching once more, and Jefferson wasn’t seen till the ultimate two video games of the season. Displaying promise or elevated too early? The jury remains to be out.

Grade: D+

Spherical 5, Decide 153: Deantre Prince, CB, Ole Miss

Contemplating the issues the Jaguars confronted within the secondary final yr, there’s a sense that Deantre Prince may have compelled himself into the reckoning for extra snaps. However as you’d anticipate from a fifth spherical decide, the returns have been sparse in what little sport time he noticed. Prince did not see the sector in 5 video games the place he was lively, however bounced again properly within the final sport of the season, recording 5 tackles (4 solo) and one cross breakup in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts. Hopefully issues slowed down for Prince, and he can kick on in yr 2.

Grade: C-

Spherical 5, Decide 167: Keilan Robinson, RB, Texas

It wouldn’t be a Trent Baalke draft class if there wasn’t a operating again taken in some unspecified time in the future. Regardless of a log jammed depth chart, Keilan Robinson was lively each sport of the season – presumably for his return prowess. The previous Longhorn didn’t play till Week 12, had 5 offensive snaps all yr, and touched the ball simply twice all season (two kick returns in opposition to the Titans). Not the simplest scenario to stroll into and make an influence, and as a day three decide the expectations are in fact capped – Robinson can be combating for a roster spot in coaching camp.

Grade: D

Spherical 6, Decide 212: Cam Little, Ok Arkansas

Now THIS is the type of manufacturing you may solely dream of from a late day 3 decide! Cam Little earned the kicking job as a rookie for the Jaguars, enjoying in all 17 video games in 22024. If that wasn’t sufficient worth for a sixth spherical choice, he was devastatingly productive too – making all 27 further factors and lacking simply two of 29 area purpose makes an attempt. ‘Constant’ is a boring phrase for many, however the dream for a kicker – and Little hit all the pieces underneath forty yards and was nearly excellent from even additional out. Jacksonville has it’s kicker for the following decade, perhaps extra.

Grade: A

Spherical 7, Decide 236: Myles Cole, EDGE, Texas Tech

Are you able to anticipate something from the 236th decide in any draft class? Maybe not. Some would argue simply making the roster is an achievement, which Myles Cole duly did. However extra impressively he performed 24 snaps within the first two weeks, registering his first deal with in opposition to the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. Certain, Cole spent 9 weeks inactive – however being on a roster behind Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker and nonetheless seeing the sector 135 instances deserves some respect. The final teaching employees favored Cole – will probably be fascinating to see if he can enhance on a stable begin underneath the brand new regime in yr 2.

Grade: C+