Jacksonville Jaguars 2017 NFL Mock Draft: 7 Rounds of Talent Infusion
By Max Baker
With the 2017 NFL Draft right around the corner, the Jacksonville Jaguars have some big decisions to make. Here is a 7 round mock draft on some players the Jaguars could draft to help improve their team.
The Jacksonville Jaguars need to improve talent at multiple positions in the 2017 NFL Draft. While free agency may change some of the priorities and the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine will certainly cause some players to rocket up and some to fall, for now the early mock drafts continue to flourish.
In this draft, the Jaguars’ biggest needs are addressed early with plenty of other supplementary players added that could up the overall performance of the team.
Let’s dive in.
Round 1, pick 4: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
The 2016 Chuck Bednarik Award Winner completely disrupted opposing offenses, racking up 28.0 sacks and 44.5 tackles for a loss in his Alabama career – not to mention a 31 yard fumble recovered for a touchdown against Ole Miss.
The Jaguars defensive line already consists of Malik Jackson and 2 young defensive ends in Yannick Ngakoue and Dante Fowler Jr. Allen can come in and instantly upgrade the D-Line. A duo of Malik Jackson and Jonathan Allen, along with Ngakoue and Fowler, would make the Jaguars defensive line one of the best young defensive lines in the NFL. Tack on the roation of Sen’Derrick Marks and Roy Miller and the Jags would have a fearsome group up front.
Round 2 Pick 35: Forrest Lamp, OL, Western Kentucky
Forrest Lamp is a physical, strong, 6’4″, 300 pound-guard or tackle who would come in and improve the offensive line. He really held his own against Jonathan Allen, Tim Williams, and Ryan Anderson, all potential first round picks.
The fact that the Jaguars did not pick up Kelvin Beachum‘s option adds another hole on the offensive line. The Jaguars need to improve their offensive line to help their offense get rolling and drafting Lamp will definitely help them
Round 3, pick 68: Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
With Julius Thomas reportedly being traded for a 2017 7th round pick, the Jaguars may be looking to shore up the tight end position. Engram, the 6’3″, 235 pound tight end from Ole Miss, was a mismatch nightmare for opposing defenses last year.
In 2016, Engram exploded for 65 catches for 926 yards and eight touchdowns. Built like a bigger receiver, he needs to add some wait in the NFL to improve his run blocking, but can be a dangerous down-field and redzone threat. This gives Blake Bortles exactly Julius Thomas was supposed to be.