Beating the Houston Texans in Week 15 would have been a great way for the Jacksonville Jaguars to start off the post-Urban Meyer era. However, many issues still remain even after firing the head coach as showcased by the 20-10 final score. Nobody likes to lose a game, especially one against a division rival. On the bright side, the loss got them one step closer to the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. With three weeks left in the season, the Jags are a good bet to clinch the top pick as both the Detroit Lions and the Texans currently have a better record
The Jaguars aren’t in need of a quarterback after selecting Trevor Lawrence this year. Thus, they could use the top pick on either Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson or Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux. Either player could turn their front seven into a dominant unit. On the other hand, the Jaguars have bigger needs than edge rusher. They could upgrade the left tackle spot or choose a wide receiver. In fact, wide receiver might be the team’s most pressing need ahead and you could make the case they should either take Garrett Wilson of Ohio State or Jameson Williams of Alabama.
Then again, it’s rare for teams to choose a wideout with the top pick. The last time it happened, the New York Jets took Keyshawn Johnson back in 1996 and before that, the New England Patriots took Irving Fryer in the 1984 selection meeting. If the Jaguars really want to trade a widout with their 2022 first-round pick, why not trade down and acquire a package of picks?
Trading the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft comes with pros and cons. Here’s a look at both options.
The Jaguars could trade the 1st overall for a boatload of draft picks.
The Jaguars will have their fair share of options with the first overall pick but they could trade down and still select a top prospect. Teams that are in need of a quarterback might want to give them a call in order to have a shot at selecting Kenny Pickett or Sam Howell. Of course, the Jaguars would need to get a juicy offer in return. Something along the lines of a swap of first-round picks in 2022, an additional first-round selection in 2023, and both a second and third-rounder in 2022 could get a deal done.
That’s three additional choices that the Jaguars could then use to fortify their roster. They could trade with a team in the top ten such as the New York Giants (fifth and sixth overall), the Carolina Panther (seventh), or the Atlanta Falcons (ninth), and still be in a position to take one of the best prospects.
Simply put, the lottery tickets the Jaguars hoard, the higher their chances of acquiring playmakers will be. The other side of the coin is that they could keep the top pick in 2022 and still undergo a quick turnover. Of course, the Jags would have to get them right, something they haven’t been able to do often in recent years.
The Jaguars can also keep the first overall pick in the 2022 draft.
It’s true that the Jaguars need to fill several roster holes but it’s not often that you have a chance to select a prospect of Thibodeaux’s or Hutchinson’s caliber. Optimally, you want to take the best player available, and drafting for need tends to make you choose a prospect higher than you should. Again, pass rusher isn’t at the top of the Jaguars’ need in 2022 but if can choose the best player available, you should.
Also, the Jaguars are set to have a little bit over $71 million in cap space in 2022, according to Spotrac. They can use it to sign a left tackle like Terron Armstead and/or wide receiver like Chris Godwin. This would in turn give them the chance to draft Thibodeaux or Hutchinson. Keep in mind that drafting a pass rusher first overall isn’t unheard of and it may be the best course of action come next April.
Back in 2017, the Cleveland Browns drafted Myles Garrett first overall and it turned out pretty well for them, as the Texas A&M product has become one of the best pass rushers in the league. Back in 2006, the Houston Texans took defensive end Mario Williams over running back Reggie Bush and quarterback Vince Young. It turned out to be the right decision.
The Jaguars are going to have options when it comes to the first overall pick and most of them should make them better than they currently are. As long as they get a playmaker (or a few) them, it may not matter how they use it.