2020 NFL Mock Draft: Jaguars add help on both sides of the ball

The Jaguars get better in the middle of their defense and at the wide receiver position in the latest FanSided.com 2020 NFL Mock Draft.

There is still plenty to get excited about when it comes to the Jacksonville Jaguars and the upcoming 2020 season?

No, that is not a misprint. If you look at the glass-half-full approach to this offseason, there are pieces to this roster to build around and extra draft picks – thanks to the trade that sent Jalen Ramsey out west – to use as key additions to this roster.

The only problem that I can foresee about that paragraph is if we are having this same discussion next year at this time, attempting to put a shine on the future of this organization.

The Jaguars own the ninth and 20th pick in the first round, the 42nd pick in the second round and the 73rd pick in the third. There is plenty of talent on both sides of the football to help this roster, one that several local analysts will tell you has many holes to fill. Two of those slots have been filled in the latest FanSided.com NFL Mock Draft by Brad Weiss.

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With the ninth pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select Isaiah Simmons, Safety/Linebacker from Clemson.

There is a roar coming out of TIAA Bank Field as Simmons is a hybrid player who could fill either need for the Jaguars in their second and third line of defense. He adds another dimension of size and speed to a defense that could not stop the run this past season.

"“… the Jaguars need to get better on all three levels, including at linebacker, and safety. With the No. 9 overall selection, they could bring in a guy who could fill both voids, as Isaiah Simmons from Clemson is by far the most versatile defensive player available in this draft class,” Weiss writes.“Many thought the Jaguars had enough talent to challenge in the AFC South last season, but it appears that they are going to go back to the drawing board in 2020. Whether or not it is Minshew or Nick Foles starting at quarterback, the bottom line is the defense needs to be better, and Simmons can help them accomplish that this offseason.”"

Jacksonville had issues this past season with their linebackers, which for the most part became a revolving door due to injuries. Myles Jack played out of position in the middle and may move back outside where he belongs. Donald Payne replaced Jack due to injury for the last handful of games and showed he could be a beat inside.

The thought of Simmons and Jack on the outside and Payne in the middle gives me and others a little more comfort when it comes to stopping the run, which the Jaguars were gruesome at doing last season.

Now that the Jaguars have a playmaker on defense added to the roster, Weiss takes a look at the other side of the ball and gives the offense a pass-catching playmaker.

With the 20th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select Laviska Shenault Jr., wide receiver, Colorado.

Whoa! This one threw me for a loop, especially since I believe the wide receivers on the roster are better than most think and will have a better time of it playing with just one quarterback under center.

Shenault Jr is big at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds. He adds another body to the wide receiver room, especially if the Jaguars cut ties with veteran Marqise Lee.

Weiss did not offer much about Shenault Jr, but he hit the mark when he said if the Jaguars can add the right players, they can begin to turn things around.

"“The AFC South netted two playoff teams this season, including the Tennessee Titans, who are one of the final two teams standing in the conference,” Weiss adds. “If the Jaguars can hit on their two first rounders this April, and figure out their quarterback situation, there is no reason why they cannot be a player in the division as soon as next season.”"

Next. Jaguars need to find the right O.C.. dark

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