Jacksonville Jaguars 5-round mock draft: New Year’s Edition

Who would have thought that the Urban Meyer era would last less than a calendar year? Even those that didn’t think he was the right man to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars would have foreseen him getting fired after coaching just 13 games. But that’s how bad things got in Duval.

Whoever becomes the Jags next head coach will need to do what Meyer was supposed to do but didn’t seem capable of pulling off, establish the kind of winning culture that has evaded this Jacksonville team for the last ten years. On the bright side, the Jaguars will have plenty of cap space and several draft picks to replenish their roster next offseason. With that in mind, here’s a five-round mock draft and Happy New Year. Enjoy!

Jaguars mock draft, 1st round, 1st overall pick – Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE.

The Jaguars may have a burden of choice kind of situation if they pick first overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. They could draft Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal or one of the two top defensive end prospects, Kayvon Thibodeau and Aidan Hutchinson. Another possibility is to find a trade partner and move down a few spots to acquire extra selections.

In this mock draft, the Jags keep things easy. They re-sign left tackle Cam Robinson to a four-year $64 million contract and use the top pick on Thibodeaux. The Jaguars need a pass rusher to play opposite Josh Allen and the Oregon product is the one with the highest ceiling in the draft.

Thibodeaux dealt with injuries in 2021 and Hutchinson had the better year and might be a tad more polished but the former has more upside. Having said that, if some other team besides the Jags ends up with the first overall pick and selects Thibodeaux, Hutchinson wouldn’t be a consolation prize.