When Urban Meyer accepted to be the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, he knew he was taking over a team that needed significant upgrades. He along with general manager Trent Baalke started rebuilding their roster early this season. And although it hasn’t always been pretty, it looks like the Jags are headed in the right direction and have won two of their last three games.
However, one offseason wasn’t enough to revamp a roster that lacked enough talent to win games last season. Despite the fact that the Jaguars’ roster looks in better shape than it did a year ago, Meyer and Baalke need to keep adding difference-makers in 2022. Fortunately, Jacksonville will have plenty of cap space to sign a few impact free agents. Also, they are poised to have a top-five draft pick by virtue of having one of the worst records in the NFL right now.
According to ESPN, the Jags currently have the fourth-overall selection in the 2022 draft. Things may eventually change and they could end up picking later but if they end up in that slot, they will be in a position to choose one of the top players in the selection meeting. Here are five prospects the Jaguars could take with their first-round pick in 2022.
Jaguars first-round target in the 2022 Draft No. 1 – Kyle Hamilton, S
Safety may not be as big a need for the Jaguars next year after signing Rayshawn Jenkins and drafting Andre Cisco this offseason. That shouldn’t stop them from performing due diligence in Kyle Hamilton of Notre Dame though.
Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus has Hamilton ranked as the top safety prospect in next year’s draft and believes ‘freak’ is the best adjective to describe the Fighting Irish. Renner notes that Hamilton has a wide range and adds that he can line up anywhere in the backfield. Who wouldn’t want to have a player like that in their secondary?
Jaguars first-round target in the 2022 Draft No. 2 – Garret Wilson, WR
The Jaguars have some talent at wide receiver. Marvin Jones Jr. has been a reliable target and Jamal Agnew has gotten an increased workload on offense. Even though Laviska Shenault has not been great, he hasn’t been terrible either. However, the group could use a boost and the Jags could get it in Garrett Wilson of Ohio State.
There were reports Wilson wouldn’t commit to the Buckeyes after Urban Meyer retired in 2018 but he didn’t back out. The Austin native saw playing time right away, hauling in 30 receptions for 432 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman in 2019. He was even better the following year, catching 43 passes for 723 yards and six trips to the end zone.
This season, Wilson has racked up 687 yards and six touchdowns on 43 catches. He’s currently the top-ranked wide receiver in Pro Football Focus’ 2022 Draft Rankings and the 16th overall player in Mel Kiper’s Big Board. Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network describes the wide receiver as “exceptionally fluid, sudden, and explosive as an athlete“.
Even if the Jaguars decided to re-sign DJ Chark Jr., who is out for the season with an ankle fracture, they need to bolster their wide receiver corps. If they don’t address the position in free agency. Wilson will probably be their best option in next year’s draft.
Jaguars first-round target in the 2022 Draft No. 3 – Evan Neal, OT
The Jaguars have to make several decisions on their offensive line next year. Left tackle Cam Robinson, right guard A.J. Cann and left guard Andrew Norwell are set to become free agents in 2022. They could re-sign one or two but it may not be feasible to bring all of them back, so they will need to replenish the unit.
The Jags could let Robinson walk, as they have a potential replacement in Walker Little, whom they took with the 45th overall pick in this year’s draft. However, it may be hard to pass on Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal if he’s available at number four in 2022. He’s previously been mocked to Jacksonville and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him play for the Black and Teal.
At 6’7″ and 360 pounds, Neal has the size and athleticism to play at a high level in the pros. Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media believes he has a similar skillset to Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Orland Brown Jr. Jeremiah also thinks Neal compares favorably to former Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Marcus McNeil.
Neal has previously lined up at left guard and right tackle, and NFL teams may covet his versatility. The Alabama standout could even be a potential replacement for Jawaan Taylor at right tackle if the Jags want to roll with Little on the left.
Jaguars first-round target in the 2022 Draft No. 4 – Derek Stingley Jr., CB
A couple of months before the start of the 2021 season, cornerback looked like a position of strength for the Jaguars. After all, they had signed Shaquill Griffin in free agency and selected Tyson Campbell 33rd overall in the draft. They also re-signed Sidney Jones and Tre Hernon. C.J. Henderson was also back after a groin injury cut his rookie campaign short.
In the end, the Jags traded Jones and Henderson. Also, Herndon isn’t fully healthy after suffering an MCL injury in the preseason. While Griffin has been everything Jacksonville expected and arguably more, Campbell has struggled at times.
The Jaguars need a number two corner opposite Griffin and Campbell may very well be that player but it wouldn’t hurt to add reinforcements in the 2022 draft, especially a player of Derek Stingley Jr.’s caliber. The LSU Tiger is one of the top prospects in the draft, and may not be available by the time the Jags chose in next year’s draft but if he is, the front office will need to strongly consider turning in the card with his name on it.
Stingley is currently dealing with a foot injury and may not finish the 2021 season. But, he has all the tangibles you want in an NFL cornerback, 4.3 speed, and a 6-foot-1 frame. Per Pro Football Focus, he’s allowed a 41.1 percent completion rate during his career at LSU, and his 91.7 coverage grade in 2019 was the highest at the college level that year.
Jaguars first-round target in the 2022 Draft No. 5 – Aidan Hutchinson, DL
Edge rusher Josh Allen is becoming the player the Jaguars envisioned when they made him a first-round pick in the 2019 draft. Dawuane Smoot has also played at a high level and together, they’ve formed a formidable pass rush duo. Still, the front office could add another difference-maker to the front seven next year.
The 2022 draft class isn’t particularly strong at quarterback, so there’s a good chance the Detroit Lions, who currently hold the top pick, take Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux. If he doesn’t go first overall, he won’t fall past number three. That’s how talented he is. Fortunately for the Jags, he’s not the only pass rusher worthy of a top-five pick.
George Karlaftis of Purdue would be a solid addition to the Jags’ front seven but they could also target Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and get a difference-maker. He’s number five in Mel Kiper’s Big Board and the second-highest ranked pass rusher, only behind Thibodeaux.
This season, Hutchinson has logged 35 total tackles, six sacks, and a forced fumble. His draft stock could go up if he has a dominant performance against Penn State. He and fellow Michigan defensive player David Ojabo are two players worth watching when the Wolverines face off against the Nittany Lions.