Jacksonville Jaguars: 3 Surprise picks the team could make in the Draft
The Jacksonville Jaguars hold two first-round picks this year and there is a lot of room for surprise. Here are three moves they could make in the Draft.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have two picks in the first round of the NFL Draft. That leaves a lot of room for surprise.
While the Jaguars have had a lot of experience holding early draft picks, they have struggled to hit with those players. Often those picks were not much of a surprise. For example, Justin Blackmon was considered a sure-fire stud but issues with substance abuse, which lead to a frustratingly short NFL career.
Blake Bortles was considered to be the quarterback with the most potential in his draft class and many were very excited when Jacksonville took him with the third overall pick in 2014.
Luke Joeckel projected as an elite NFL tackle and was supposed to be the long term answer for Jacksonville at left tackle in 2014.
So perhaps the Jaguars decide to take some risks with two first round picks this year. These are three surprise options that Jacksonville may decide to take.
The Jaguars draft Henry Ruggs III at 9
While most of the focus has been on his teammate Jerry Jeudy or on Oklahoma receiver CeeDee Lamb, Henry Ruggs III may be the receiver with the most upside in this years draft.
He has incredible speed but does not fall into the trap of being a pure speed receiver. He has good hands, and is very quick when running routes. His speed draws comparison to Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill.
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This speed and his ability to get past defenders may be too much to pass up. He isn’t the most polished receiver but Jacksonville may surprise everyone and want the guy who can. turn any play into a big play.
Jacksonville trades up for Chase Young
Oh, what a wonderful surprise this could be!
Jacksonville has a lot of available options to trade up in the draft this season. With a ton of future picks, and defensive end Yannick Ngakoue begging to be traded, the Jaguars may make a surprise splash and trade up for the player who many have called the best player in this years draft.
Imagine the tandem of Josh Allen and Chase Young off the edge. It’s a defensive coordinator’s dream and an opposing quarterback’s worst nightmare. This is a surprise for all the right reasons and surely something that will excite a fanbase that is very much in need of a morale boost.
Jaguars trade back from 20 and select Jonathan Taylor
The Jaguars are open to the possibility of trading running back Leonard Fournette. It would be a surprise if the Jacksonville Jaguars decides to solidify the future of their backfield by taking a running back in the first round.
A lot of people argue that running backs usually aren’t worth first round picks anymore, if the Jaguars feel as though no one is worth the 20th pick they could trade back with a team like Baltimore and gain some picks for later rounds or picks next year.
I say specifically Baltimore because they may want to move up and draft for a top end receiver. If the Jaguars front office can swap firsts, grab some extra picks, and then use the later pick for Jonathan Taylor it will be a very smart move for the organization.