5 top prospects the Jaguars can trade down for in 2022 NFL Draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars hold the first overall pick for the second straight year. But whereas there’s was nearly a 100 percent chance they would take Trevor Lawrence in 2021, there’s not a consensus top prospect this year, so the Jags could explore the possibility of trading down a few spots.

Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke told the local media at the NFL Scouting Combine that the Jaguars feel comfortable making the pick at No. 1 but they are always “open for business“. If they stay put, Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux, Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson, and Alabama’s Evan Neal will probably be their top options. But if they were to trade down, they could accumulate a few extra picks and still have a shot at taking a top-tier prospect.

If the Jaguars do find a trade partner, let’s say the New York Jets at No. 4 or the New York Giants at No. 5, they could take any of these players.

 No. 1 prospect the Jaguars can take in the 2022 draft – Derek Stingley.

The Jaguars have a pair of starting cornerbacks in Shaquill Griffin and Tyson Campbell but Derek Stingley Jr. could be too good to pass up if he were available at No. 4. The former Tiger is coming off a Lisfranc injury he sustained in 2021, He won’t partake in drills at the combine but will work out at LSU’s Pro Day, according to Ian Rapaport of NFL Media.

In spite of appearing in just 10 games over the last two years, Stingley is projected to be a top 10 pick due to his athleticism, ball skills, and technique. At the collegiate level, he only allowed a 41.1 percent completion rate and sits at No. 3 on Pro Football Focus’ big board.