Jacksonville Jaguars mock draft roundup (1/27)

One other weekend goes by that the Jacksonville Jaguars are usually not within the playoffs, so right here we’re mock drafts.

Not all is doom and gloom with the crew nevertheless because the Jags have employed Liam Coen as the brand new head coach.

Even higher than that was the information that normal supervisor Trent Baalke was fired.

These strikes start a brand new period for Jacksonville and can reshape the mock draft outlook. Like final week although, Michigan defensive deal with Mason Graham leads the best way because the crew’s early favourite to be picked within the first spherical however that might simply be topic to vary as Coen and whoever takes over as GM plant new data throughout the constructing.

For now, not less than, early indicators level to the Jags bolstering the defensive inside.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper

Mock draft Mel leads us off this week with the crew taking Graham at 5. Kiper has Penn State’s Abdul Carter coming off the board one decide forward to New England making Graham the second defensive lineman off the board. Kiper does acknowledge this decide may go numerous methods relying on how the Jags transfer or reassign items forward of the draft, but when issues keep precisely as they’re now, Graham could possibly be the decide to hopefully convey Sacksonville again to the 904.

The Jaguars are most likely pondering protection right here — it’s only a matter of the place on protection. Michigan nook Will Johnson could possibly be the reply reverse Tyson Campbell. Georgia security Malaki Starks may substitute Andre Cisco if Jacksonville doesn’t re-sign Cisco and is open to buying and selling again. However defensive deal with is the most important want, and Graham is one heck of a soccer participant. He wins together with his approach, utilizing leverage to beat inside offensive linemen. Graham may slide between Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen and wreak havoc from the within.

Early within the mock draft course of final 12 months, Illinois defensive lineman Jer’Zahn Newton was the favourite for Jacksonville to absorb the primary spherical and with the very same thought course of. That decide clearly went a totally completely different course but it surely’s barely telling that in back-to-back years, pundits assume the line of defense for this crew is unhealthy sufficient that the Jags ought to doubtlessly deal with it in back-to-back drafts.

Sports activities Illustrated’s Daniel Flick

Now it is a enjoyable one. With the fifth decide within the 2025 NFL Draft, Flick has the Jacksonville Jaguars taking Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Hunter “falls” to Jacksonville on this mock as a result of Cleveland takes Carter at No. 2 and the New England Patriots take Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan at No. 4. Hunter wants no introduction or rationalization as to why he may assist the Jags. Together with his capability on each side of the ball, this could possibly be the best-case situation for Duval County although Hunter’s cash will seemingly be made at nook.

Jacksonville allowed 257 passing yards per sport, the worst mark within the NFL. Hunter, a particular two-way expertise, gained the Heisman Trophy after shutting down opposing receivers and ending prime 5 within the nation in receptions (96), receiving yards (1,258) and receiving touchdowns (15). His skilled future seemingly shall be at cornerback, however he ought to see a handful of offensive snaps every sport—and his capability to vary video games on each side of the ball ought to go away the Jaguars with little doubt.

NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah

Jeremiah retains this one easy with the Jags taking Graham. He has Hunter going No. 2 general and the Patriots truly taking LSU offensive deal with at No. 4 however the Jags going with the line of defense at No. 5.

Graham is without doubt one of the cleaner evaluations within the draft. He gives unbelievable quickness, steadiness and instincts.

PFF’s Max Chadwick

This time with PFF, the decide is similar: Graham. The reasoning too is similar and Chadwick makes use of PFF’s personal metrics to solidify the purpose.

Whereas the Jaguars are set at edge defender with Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, their inside line of defense nonetheless wants a number of work. Jacksonville’s defensive tackles completed with the fifth-worst PFF grade (49.8) in 2024, and Graham is in regards to the most secure guess within the draft class. His 92.5 PFF general grade over his three years in school ranked first amongst defensive tackles.

The Draft Community’s Keith Sanchez

For this mock, now we have a little bit of a special decide. Keith Sanchez thinks the Jags choose to strengthen the offensive line. With Campbell being chosen at No. 4, the Jags on this mock go together with Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a brand new head coach in place and a brand new normal supervisor on the best way. One factor that can stay fixed is Trevor Lawrence, who is about to be in Jacksonville for the foreseeable future after signing a deal final offseason. With that in thoughts, I consider the brand new regime understands the significance of constructing round Lawrence, and on this case, meaning bettering the offensive line. With this decide, the Jaguars choose offensive deal with Kelvin Banks Jr., an athletic participant with the potential to change into an elite blindside protector in cross safety.

Banks is a junior left deal with and an All-American. Kiper has Banks as a sure-fire High-10 decide and really the most effective deal with within the draft. In 2024, Banks allowed only one single sack.

CBS Sports activities’ Josh Edwards

One other mock, one other choice of the Michigan man Graham. Carter continues to be on the board on this draft making Graham the primary defensive lineman chosen. This mock additionally has McMillian going No. 4 general, who very simply could possibly be somebody the Jags pursue below the brand new regime.

There are groups with worse rosters that had higher seasons than the Jaguars, however they nonetheless have must fill. Mason Graham fills a place of want as a brand new head coach is embraced. A entrance with Josh Hines – Allen , Travon Walker , Arik Armstead and Graham can be formidable.

Professional Soccer Community

Talking of McMillian, PFN likes him at No. 5 to the Jags. As many have identified, he’s made in comparatively the identical mould as a man like Mike Evans, who Coen simply helped coach right into a 1,000-yard receiving season. McMillan and Brian Thomas Jr. can be a drive as a duo and will lastly be the mixture of weapons Trevor Lawrence has been lacking.

Tetairoa McMillan’s size is his biggest weapon. He possesses a wingspan matched solely by the likes of Mike Evans and Kyle Pitts, which makes him an attractive prospect that the Jaguars could not be capable of cross up as they appear to get somebody reverse rookie sensation Brian Thomas Jr.

Nonetheless, as constantly excellent as Evans is, he’s by no means been thought-about one of many 5 finest vast receivers within the sport. He’s 20 kilos heavier and has way more physicality than McMillan.

The Arizona WR isn’t practically as explosive as Pitts. His closest comparisons are most likely Drake London and Tee Higgins. Whereas each have been wonderful as professionals, neither are among the many league’s finest.

McMillan is likely to be an outlier to guess on, although. He’s easy and technical as a route runner, and he assaults the soccer and makes it disappear higher than anybody in current reminiscence not named Mike Gesicki. Nonetheless, his lack of post-catch creativity and general explosiveness means he lacks two of probably the most constant indicators for NFL success.

As a result of everybody will see it 100 occasions earlier than draft night time anyway, right here is his spotlight bundle in opposition to Hunter.

SB Nation’s J.P. Acosta

J.P. Acosta has the Jags taking a Michigan defender in his mock, however not Graham. For this choice, the Jags go together with Massive Blue cornerback Will Johnson. Clearly the Jags need assistance outdoors, and with Hunter being chosen at No. 3, Johnson is the most suitable choice to play alongside Tyson Campbell.

The Jaguars desperately have to discover a high quality second nook reverse Tyson Campbell. Jarrian Jones is a promising slot defender, however Johnson’s ball abilities and athleticism would give the Jags a kickass secondary room.

Johnson ought to be the unanimous first defensive again off the board. He’s about as pro-ready as they arrive and is already drawing comparisons to the most effective within the NFL, like Pat Surtain.