Jaguars potential 2022 draft picks to watch: Michigan vs. Georgia

NFL Teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, have been scouting talent throughout the college season and they wil have the chance to take a closer look at some top prospects in the Orange Bowl.

No. 2 Michigan will face off against No. 3 Georgia, as part of the College Football Playoffs, at 7:30 p.m. ET on December 31st and whoever wins will play in the National Championship Game next week. Here are five prospects the Jacksonville Jaguars need to keep an eye on.

Related: 5 draft prospects the Jags must keep an eye on in the Cotton Bowl.

No. 1 Draft prospect the Jaguars must watch – Nakobe Dean, LB.

The first thing you will hear about Nokobe Dean is that he has a somewhat diminute frame for the position. Listed at six foot and 225 pounds, he may not be the most imposing linebacker but he makes up for it with his top-notch athleticism and outstanding instincts.

In 2021, Dean logged 61 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, four passes defensed and two interceptions. That’s the kind of production the Jaguars need from the linebacker position. While their defense has been stout this season, they’ve haven’t generated many big plays. In fact, they rank dead last in the league in forced turnovers.

Dean is projected to be a mid or late first-round pick. The Jags are set to have the first overall pick and it wouldn’t make sense to take the Georgia standout with it. By the time they select again in the second round, he will most likely be off the board. The only way they could draft him would be if they manage to trade down. Nevertheless, the Jags’ scouting department will surely perform due dilligence Friday.