Jaguars round out roster in this post-free agency 3-round NFL mock draft

An old adage says that the future favors the bold, and bold the Jacksonville Jaguars were in free agency, signing several difference-makers. It wasn’t cheap though. They had to pay top-market money for several of the players they acquired. But all things considered, they did a good job of fortifying their roster.

With the first wave of free agency in the books, the Jags can now turn their attention to the 2022 NFL Draft. If they hit on most of their picks, their roster will be the most talented one they’ve had in years. Without further ado, here’s a mock draft in which the team’s brass rounds out their roster.

Jaguars post-FA mock draft – 1st round, 1st pick – DE Aidan Hutchinson.

Based on all the moves the Jaguars made in free agency, they telegraphed their intention to take Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson with the first overall pick. They applied the franchise tag on left tackle Cam Robinson and later signed offensive Brandon Scherff. And with Jawaan Taylor and Walker Little on the roster, there’s no room for either Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu at No.1, which means the Jags may be targeting the former Wolverine.

Hutchinson was scheduled to work out for the Jags but he canceled it after seeing teammate David Ojabo suffered a serious injury at their Pro Day. The truth is that there’s not much general manager Trent Baalke would have gained from watching the defensive end workout.

Hutchinson tested well at the NFL Scouting Combine and had a dominant senior year at Michigan. He would give the Jaguars a bookend pass rusher opposite outside linebacker Josh Allen. The front office addressed pretty much every position but edge defender in free agency. With the top pick in draft, they get the best one in this year’s class.