Jaguars Get Better on Defense in Latest NFL.com Mock Draft

Will the Jaguars have the same kind of luck and success in the 2020 NFL Draft as they did last season? NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks weighs in.

Could another stud college star slip in the 2020 NFL Draft and land in the lap of the Jacksonville Jaguars? NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks seems to think so as he has mocked Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah to the Jaguars with the No. 9 selection.

If that happens, it could be deja vu all over again. Jacksonville let the draft come to them last season and landed defensive end Josh Allen with the seventh pick. Allen, a stud from Kentucky, led the team with 10.5 sacks after being passed over by both Oakland and the New York Giants

NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter still believes this organization lands linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons in their spot. Many mock drafts have the Jaguars grabbing the Clemson star.

Brooks gives the team LSU linebacker Patrick Queen with the 20th pick in Round 1. Reuter has Jacksonville looking to improve the tight end room with the selection of Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet.

While Brooks only predicts the first round in April, his colleague takes a shot at three rounds with the Jaguars having two more picks to help the team overcome two seasons fo double-digit losses.

Reuter selects Noah Igbinoghene, a cornerback from Auburn with the 42nd pick and then follows it up with Rashard Lawrence, a defensive tackle out of LSU.

The Jaguars have needs at almost every position on the roster with the exception of quarterback, defensive end and possibly running back.

According to ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco, finding a run-stuffing defensive tackle is the first priority of the team this offseason. It could be something the team tries to fortify in both free agency and the Draft.

More from Jaguars Draft

• Jacksonville Jaguars fortify secondary in 4-round 2023 Post-Combine NFL Mock Draft
• The Jaguars may look for edge rushers with pick 24
• The Jacksonville Jaguars got so lucky with the 2021 NFL Draft
• Jaguars fortify OL with Jaelyn Duncan in CBS Sports’ 2023 NFL Mock Draft
• Jacksonville Jaguars don’t need to trade up in the 2023 NFL Draft to land a cornerback

"“The Jaguars were awful against the run last season (139.3 yards per game, 28th) and aren’t expected to bring back Marcell Dareus (he has been cut for salary cap reasons). When healthy, he’s been the key to their run defense (109.1 yards per game allowed with him and 153.2 without him since the start of 2017), DiRocco writes.“The Jags missed on Taven Bryan in 2018, too. Derrick Brown, Javon Kinlaw, and Justin Madubuike are names to watch, with Brown and Kinlaw the most likely choices if the Jaguars do go DT at No. 9.”"

The team could also address issues on the offensive line with the ninth pick or hope someone line wide receiver Jerry Jeudy from Alabama is available to help the team’s passing game.

Jacksonville currently has three selections in the first 42 picks. There are holes on the offensive line and at linebacker. The team could also look to add depth almost everywhere on the roster with the exception of maybe quarterback. They are fortunate to have two players who are considered starters in this league.

As it was explained by both head coach Doug Marrone and general manager David Caldwell earlier this week at the Combine in Indianapolis, Gardner Minshew and Nick Foles are expected to battle for the starting job in training camp.