Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars finished the 2021 season on a strong note, they have their work cut out if they want to win more than three games in 2022. While they have their quarterback of the future in Trevor Lawrence, most of their roster needs upgrades.
Once the Jaguars fill their head coaching vacancy, they will be able to turn their attention to giving the roster a makeover. Whether general manager Trent Baalke stays, the organization needs fix the offense and build around Lawrence if they want to start winning games. They do precisely that in these three-round mock draft.
Jaguars mock draft, 1st-round pick, first overall, Evan Neal, OT.
In a year in which there is no consensus number one quarterback in the draft, Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal may be the top prospect, regardless of the position. The Florida native has the size, power, and athleticism to play at a high level. When looking at his weaknesses there aren’t many in his game.
Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media notes Neal can be overaggressive, which can lead him to lose his balance when engaging in blocks. Nevertheless, he believes he has the skillset to be a 10-year right tackle. That’s another thing to take into consideration when drafting the Alabama product. He has the versatility to play different positions across the offensive line, having started games at left tackle, right guard, and right tackle during his collegiate career.
The Jaguars can let Cam Robinson hit the open market, leave Walker Little at left tackle, and plug Neal on the right side. Another option is to bring back Robinson, kick Little to right tackle and have Neal play guard. Regardless of where Neal lines up, he would give the Jags’ offensive line a boost.
Jaguars mock draft, 2st-round pick, 33rd overall – Chris Olave, WR.
The Jaguars will enter the offseason without a true number one receiver on the roster. DJ Chark Jr. is the closest to it but he’s set to become a free agent and is coming off an ankle fracture, which could make his potential return to Jacksonville a bit complicated. Even if the front office brings him back (they should), they need to get another wideout (two would be great) and Chris Olave of Ohio State would be an enticing option in round two of the draft.
Olave doesn’t get as much attention as teammate Garrett Wilson but he will also get his name called early in the 2022 draft. After catching just 12 passes for 197 yards in his freshman year, he hauled in 163 receptions for 2,505 yards with 32 touchdowns from 2019 to 2021. The California native may not be the most physically imposing player but he makes up for it with his route-running skills and the speed to go with it.
Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network believes Olave is one of the best and more refined route runners of this wider receiver class and it’s hard to disagree with that assessment. His touchdown reception against Nebraska is a textbook example of how to sell a fade. Also, he has the speed to be a deep threat, something the Jaguars’ offense was missing last season.
The advantage of drafting Olave is that he could start right away. Even if he needs to make an adjustment to the speed of the pros, he could make an impact from Day 1.
Jaguars mock draft, 3rd-round pick, 65th overall – Trey McBride, TE.
If it looks like the Jaguars need to address every position group on offense, it’s because they do. Not only did they not get much production from their wide receiver crops in 2021 but their tight end group didn’t have a big impact in spite of all the resources the front office invested in the unit last offseason. Having said that, that’s done and can’t be changed.
What the Jaguars can do now is take Colorado State tight end Trey McBride in the third round of the 2022 draft. While he needs to work on his route running, his physicality, and his versatility to align at several spots across the football field should serve him well in the NFL.
McBride could compete with Dan Arnold for the starting spot or be a solid TE2 while he learns the ropes and gets acclimated to the NFL.
Jaguars mock draft, 3rd-round pick, 72nd overall – Jerome Ford, RB.
After suffering a Lisfranc injury in the offseason, running back Travis Etienne should be ready for training camp. However, James Robinson will be recovering from a torn ACL he suffered towards the end of the 2021 season. That’s why the Jaguars need to add depth to their backfield this offseason.
Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford would be a solid pickup with the third round-pick the Jaguars got as part of the trade for cornerback CJ Henderson in 2021. Oliver Hodgkinson of Pro Football Network sees him as a legitimate “home-run-hitting threat that will translate well to the next level“. Even if Etienne manages to stay healthy and Robinson is ready by the start of the 2022 season, Ford could get a few carries every game in order to keep his teammates fresh.