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

No. 3 prospect the Jaguars can take in the 2022 draft – Tyler Linderbaum.

It’s not often that you see centers drafted in the first round, let alone the top 20. The highest center taken over the last 20 years was Mike Pouncey at No. 15 in 2011. However, Tyler Linderbaum of Iowa could change that this year.

Linderbaum is PFF’s highest-graded center and the 12th overall prospect on their big board. He posted a 95.4 overall grade last season and while he needs to refine his hand usage and overall technique, he doesn’t have many flaws in his game. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him be a top 10 pick in this year’s selection meeting. Brandon Thorn of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department describes him as a “dynamic run blocker” with the ability to wreak havoc at the second level. Also, he’s the eighth-ranked prospect on B/R’s board.

The Jaguars just re-signed Tyler Shatley and five-time team captain Brandon Linder still has one year left on his contract. However, Linderbaum would replenish the center position and would allow the team’s brass to move on from Linder if they are interested in freeing up $10 million in cap space.

This wouldn’t be a “sexy pick” but if the Jags find someone to line up at center for the next 10 years, would it matter? Also, they would be acquiring extra picks, so it could pay off to go outside the box this one time.