The Jacksonville Jaguars hold the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft but not long ago, reports about them potentially shopping it popped up. Moreover, general manager Trent Baalke told the media at the Scouting Combine that the team was willing to lister to offers.
Based on how free agency unfolded, it looks like the Jags will target Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson at No.1 but if someone inquires about moving up in the draft, they should definitely listen.
While this year’s quarterback class isn’t particularly thrilling the demand at the position could force clubs desperate to acquire one call the Jags and try to move up a few spots. In particular, these four teams could try to trade for the No. 1 pick in the draft.
No. 1 team that can call the Jaguars about the No. 1 pick – The Lions.
Just like the Jaguars, the Detroit Lions will enter the draft with many needs, so they could take pretty much anyone who is available at No. 2. They could choose Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton and nobody would bat an eye. Similarly, they could take a quarterback and the selection wouldn’t be questioned. In fact, Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports projects in his latest mock draft that they will take Liberty’s Malik Willis.
Having said that, it seems like Aidan Hutchinson is the player the Lions want and Dane Brugler of the Athletic reports that they are exploring the possiblity of potentially moving up one spot to ensure they land him. Even though it’s just one pick, it wouldn’t hurt the Jaguars to move down, especially if Detroit makes an enticing offer.
No. 2 team that can call the Jaguars about the No. 1 pick – The Falcons.
The Matt Ryan era unceremoniously ended when the Atlanta Falcons traded the 2016 league MVP to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two third-round selections. Although they signed Marcus Mariota to a two-year deal, it doesn’t currently look like he’s the long-term answer at the position. Back in 2015, Marita was the second overall pick in the 2022 but hasn’t remotely played like the franchise quarterback the Tennessee Titans though they were picking.
The former Oregon Duck will probably get a legitimate chance to show what he can do in Atlanta but general manager Terry Fontenot could look for the Falcons quarterback of the future in 2022 despite the fact that they have many roster holes to fill.
The Falcons currently hold the eight overall pick, which means that other clubs could get in front of them and nab a signal-caller. In order to avoid coming out of the first round empty-handed, they could move up all the way to No. 1.
With wide receiver Calvin Ridley getting slapped with a one-year suspension and without any offensive weapons besides tight end Kyle Pitts and Swiss Knife Cordarrelle Patterson, the Falcons could be better off drafting a wide receiver in the first round but if there’s a quarterback they like, they should give the Jags a call and move up seven spots.
No. 3 team that can call the Jaguars about the No. 1 pick – The Giants.
Former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll was one a highly sought-after head coaching candidate in this past hiring cycle. Ultimately, he landed with the New York Giants, where he will be expected to do for Daniel Jones what he did for Josh Allen.
A first-round selection in the 2019, Jones showed flashes in his rookie campaign but has regressed since then. While Daboll is seeking his quarterback’s input to craft his playbook, the truth is that he may eventually want to bring his ” own guy”. After all, he inherited Jones, and if he isn’t convinced he isn’t the long-term answer at the position, he could ask general manager Joe Schoen to target someone else in the draft.
The G-Men currently hold two top 10 picks in 2022, numbers four and seven (via the Chicago Bears). While they could use one on a signal-caller, they could always trade up if they think either the Lions, the Texans or the Panthers want to jump in front of them. They could take a quarterback like Malik Willis or Spencer Rattle and groom him behind Daniel Jones. Trading for the No. 1 pick would ensure they got the get their preferred choice.
No. 4 team that can call the Jaguars about the No. 1 pick – The Panthers.
You have probably heard that desperate times call for desperate measures and there might not be a head coach under more pressure to deliver in 2022 than Matt Rhule, who is entering Year 3 of his tenure with a subpar 10-23 record.
Ever since becoming the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, Rhule has thrown several darts at the quarterback position but none of them have landed. Back in 2020, he gave Teddy Bridgewater a shot but he was underwhelming, completing a solid 69.1 percent of his passes but throwing just 15 touchodowns.
Last season, the Panthers traded for former first-round pick Sam Darnold and while he played well in the first three games of the season, he peaked to soon and struggled the rest of the way, throwing nine touchowns and 13 interceptions. This offseason, Carolina was linked to pretty much every quarterback available, ranging from Deshaun Watson to Baker Mayfield and without a clear-cut option at the position, they could target a young passer in the draft.
The fact that Rhule may be on the hot seat could prompt the Panthers to select a quarterback in the first round. This could in turn buy him time, as he could then appeal to David Tepper to give him time to develop him. Carolina is currently set to pick at No. 6 but they could easily give the Jaguars a call and try to get the top selection.