Jaguars draft: Alex Leatherwood would be solid 2nd-round addition

Heading into the 2021 NFL Draft, quarterback is the Jacksonville Jaguars’ biggest need, but taking Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick will take care of it. Once they get a signal-caller, they have to decide what other position groups they want to address, as there are several paths they can take with their second first-round pick, the 25th overall selection. If they want to bolster their offensive line but want to wait until the second round, Alabama offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood would make sense.

Oliver Hodgkinson of Pro Football Network projects in a recent seven-round mock that the Jags will take Leatherwood in the second round. He sees them taking TCU safety Trevon Moehrig at 25 and the Alabama standout with the 33rd overall pick, the first pick in the second round.

Hodgkinson points out Leatherwood won the Outland Trophy in 2020, which is given to the best offensive lineman in college football. He describes the Florida native as “athletic, intelligent, and explosive” and notes that he played across the line over his collegiate career at Alabama, lining up at right guard in 2018 and at left tackle the last two seasons.

"That versatility offers great value for the Jaguars, allowing Leatherwood to start immediately in 2021 while evaluating if he could be the long-term answer at left tackle."

Drafting Alex Leatherwood makes sense for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In the Jaguars’ pre-draft press conference, head coach Urban Meyer said the team likes the current offensive line group but acknowledged that they all have to improve, citing competition as a way to achieve that, and said they were going to add offensive line help in the draft.

While reaching for a prospect like Dillon Radunz in the first round doesn’t make much sense, the Jags should definitely draft an offensive tackle with their second first round-pick or one of the two they have in the second round. If this Jacksonville opts to take a defensive back, like Hodgkinson predicts, taking Leatherwood at 33 would be a sound decision.

This is a deep offensive line class, so there won’t be a rush to draft one in the first round. The Jaguars can easily wait until the second round and take one of the top prospects. On the other hand, taking an offensive tackle with the 25th overall pick isn’t a bad idea either. Jacksonville could take someone like Alijah Vera-Tucker, Sam Cosmi, or Teven Jenkins with their second first-round selection and address the safety position, along with tight end, in the second round.

There are different directions the Jaguars can take in the draft to improve their roster and they will have options when it comes to upgrading the offensive line. Taking Leatherwood in the second round is a good one.