Jaguars take Kenyon Green in 2nd round of B/R’s mock draft

Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars shouldn’t take Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal off their bog board just yet, it looks like they have set their sight on Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson with the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Expecting that to be the outcome, Bleacher Report sees the Jags taking Texas A&M offensive guard Kenyon Green with the 33rd overall selection, the first of the second round.

The B/R scouting department recently posted a four-round mock draft and not surprisingly, Hutchinson went to the Jaguars with the first overall pick. However, it was interesting to see who they got in the following rounds, and Green got to nod at No. 33. While they don’t provide an explanation, the selection makes sense. The former Texas A&M Aggie made seven starts at left guard, two at right tackle, two at right guard, and one at left tackle last season. That kind of versatility makes him an intriguing choice and a candidate to play left guard for the Jaguars.

Jacksonville signed Brandon Scherff in free agency and most of their offensive line is set with the exception of left guard. Ben Bartch could get the first crack at the position but the Jags could have him compete with Green for the starting job in 2022. Brandon Thorn of the B/R’s scouting department believes Green has the tools to “become a longtime, high-quality staring guard” but also thinks that he needs to clean up some bad habits.

Kenyon Green would be a solid addition to the Jaguars’ O-Line.

Bleacher Report aren’t the only ones that think the Jags should draft a guard in the second round of this year’s draft. While Evan Neal would give them plenty of flexibility for the future, it doesn’t look like they will take him and if they end up choosing Hutchinson, Green would be a solid pick. After all, Jacksonville address most of their positional needs in free agency, including wide receiver and tight end, so they can wait until the third round to once again address either position.

In particular, taking wide receiver makes sense in the second round but there should be a few available prospects in the third round, so the Jaguars can easily wait. On the other hand, they could also wait to take a draft if they prefer to take a wide receiver or address any other position with the No. 33 pick. Dylan Parham could be an enticing prospect with the 65th overall pick.

Nobody knows what the Jaguars plan to do in the draft but there are a few positions they need to address early in the process, including pass rusher and guard. If they take Hutchinson or even Travon Walker in the first round, they should then consider taking Green or another guard in the second round.