Jaguars 3-round 2022 mock draft: Post NFL Combine edition

Jaguars mock draft: 2nd round, 33rd overall pick – Arnold Ebiketie, DE.

Drafting Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal means passing on Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson and Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux, the top two pass rushers in this year’s selection meeting. On the bright side, teams that want to acquire a good edge defender will be able to do so late in the first round and early in the second.

By the time the Jaguars are on the clock with the 33rd overall pick, George Karlaftis, Jermaine Johnson II, David Ojabo and Travon Walker will most likely be gone. But there still be several quality pass rushers to choose from and Jacksonville should get a shot at Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie.

After registering just six sacks in three relatively uneventful campaigns at Temple, Ebiketie entered the transfer portal and joined the Nittany Lions last year. Looking back, the decision paid off as the Maryland native had a breakout season, appearing in 12 games and logging 62 total tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

While Ebiketie isn’t consistent or as explosive off the line of scrimmage as other pass rushers in the class, he can still be a pretty productive player. Derrik Klassen of the Bleacher Report scouting department believes he can be an “effective designated pass-rusher off the bench” early in his NFL career and has the potential to eventually become a 10-sack player.

The Jaguars could also take a wide receiver in this slot but if they pursue Amari Cooper or Allen Robinson in free agency, Arnold Ebiketie makes sense in the second round.