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.
No. 2 prospect the Jaguars can take in the 2022 draft – Kyle Hamilton.
Safety may not be at the top of the Jaguars’ offseason but Kyle Hamilton could be a big upgrade in their secondary. The former Notre Dame Fighting Irish is the top-rated safety in this year’s draft class due to his elite athletic prowess and superb coverage skills.
In 31 collegiate games, Hamilton logged eight interceptions, 16 passes defensed, and 7.5 tackles for a loss. He’s ranked number two in Pro Football Focus’ top 200 prospects list and fifth overall in Bleacher Report’s big board. Cory Giddins of the B/R Scouting Department describes the Notre Dame safety as a generational talent who “gives defensive coordinator endless options“.
Andre Cisco showed the 2021 season strong and he should get a realistic shot to join the Jags’ starting lineup in 2022 after hardly playing early in his rookie campaign. On the other hand, Rayshawn Jenkins was somewhat of a disappointment in his first year in Jacksonville. The veteran safety didn’t many any game-changing plays and was even ejected in Week 11 for punching San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings. Hamilton could challenge him right away for his starting job.
Having said that, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Detroit Lions at No. 2 or the Houston Texans at No. 3 to take Hamilton, so he would not be available if the Jaguars were to trade down to No. 4 or 5. That’s how good the safety is.
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.
No. 4 prospect the Jaguars can take in the 2022 draft – Charles Cross.
Talks about the top offensive tackle in this year’s draft have centered on Alabama’s Evan Neal and North Carolina State’s Ikem Ekwonu but Charles Cross of Mississippi State may not be far behind. In fact, he’s ranked ahead of both Ekwonu and Neal in Pro Football Focus’ big board and is seen as a fringe candidate to be the top overall pick in the draft.
PFF notes that Cross was one of the most dominant pass-protectors last season, giving up just 16 pressures on 719 pass-blocking snaps after allowing 44 on 574 pass-blocking the season before. He may not have Evan’s flexibility to line up at different spots across the offensive line but that shouldn’t deter the Jaguars from taking him. While Cross could be a reach at No.1, he will most likely be available at No. 4 or 5, and as promising as Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux seem, the front office may be better off taking an offensive tackle.
Cam Robinson is slated to become a free agent and if the Jags can’t reach a deal with him, they will need to replace him. They could take Cross, plug him at left tackle and kick sophomore Walker Little to the right side. Also, if the Jags plan on drafting an offensive tackle in the first round, they could use their cap space to address other positions in free agency.
No. 5 prospect the Jaguars can take in the 2022 draft – George Karlaftis.
Aidan Hutchinson is a favorite to be the Jaguars’ choice at No. 1 but Kayvon Thibodeaux should make this a close race. On the other hand, the Jaguars could trade down and still land George Karlaftis, one of the top pass rushers in this year’s draft class. The Purdue defensive end posted a 90.6 overall grade and is Pro Football Focus’ ninth-ranked overall prospect.
Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media has the former Purdue Boilermaker ranked a bit lower at No. 16 but says that he reminds him of former first-round pick Ryan Kerrigan. Jeremiah says Karlaftis’ best asset is “converting speed to power” and highlights his drive and ability to “set the edge easily against single blocks” when defending the run.
At Purdue, Karlaftis appeared in 26 games and logged 97 total tackles, 29 tackles for a loss, 14 sacks, and three forced fumbles. While offensive tackle and wide receiver may be bigger needs for the Jaguars this offseason, they also need to get a bookend edge defender opposite outside linebacker Josh Allen to bolster their pass rush.
Karlaftis might lack Thibodeaux’s or Hutchinson’s shine but he’s a complete player that could come in and contribute right out of the gate.