Jacksonville Jaguars: Post-2018 NFL Scouting Combine mock draft round-up
By Billy Long
What prospects are penciled in for the Jacksonville Jaguars in round one of the NFL draft after the conclusion of the scouting combine?
As you probably are well aware, mock drafts for the 2018 NFL draft have been circulating for months now. From early prognostications in December to the end of the past year’s season in February, mocks have been posted seemingly daily.
But it’s after the week-long NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis that mock drafts really begin to take shape. While the combine is not the end-all be-all for determining the potential of a prospect, the event has been a critical measuring tool that has both helped and hurt numerous players’ stocks over the years.
With the scouting combine in the books, let’s see which players are predicted to be selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in round one, with a fresh look at various mock drafts:
Dan Kadar, sbnation.com
"29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre DameThis is strictly a value choice. McGlinchey could move to the right side and give the Jaguars a nice set of bookends with Cam Robinson at left tackle."
Offensive line is certainly a need, and bringing in a big man with the plug-and-play immediately ability like McGlinchey would be a wise decision. However, the inside of the line is a deeper need for Jacksonville, and Kadar has guard Will Hernandez going one pick later to the Minnesota Vikings. If Hernandez is in fact on the board when the Jaguars pick at 29, he could also be an important addition after strong combine results.
Matt Miller, bleacherreport.com
"The Pick: TE Dallas Goedert, South Dakota StateDallas Goedert might be a small-schooler but his tape shows top-tier talent. He has the size and length to make plays in traffic and over the top of defenders. And while we haven’t seen him run yet at the Senior Bowl or combine due to a hamstring injury, Goedert looks plenty fast enough to separate in the pros."
The Jaguars desperately lack a pass-catching tight end, and have for years now. Goedert has the makings of a Gronk-esque type playmaker, and would be a valuable weapon for Blake Bortles.
Ryan Wilson, cbssports.com
"29. Jacksonville Jaguars"
"James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State. The dearth of playmakers makes Washington an intriguing option here. Blake Bortles played well in 2017 without a legitimate deep threat and with the defense among the NFL’s best, fielding a replacement-level offense could get this team to the Super Bowl."
The Jaguars have to strengthen the wide receiver corp, and that could become even more dire with the possibility that Allen Robinson walks in free agency. Washington is a talented player, but I feel there could be better receiver prospects still on the board as well at 29.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
"29. Hayden Hurst – TE, South Carolina"
"Hurst, who’ll turn 25 before the start of the 2018 season, is a little older than you’d like, but he has Pro Bowl potential and I love the physicality/toughness he brings to the table."
Another tight end selection to the Jaguars. Hurst is a great combo of size and speed, but toe-to-toe with Dallas Goedert, Goedert would be my personal preference.