Jaguars address remaining needs in this 3-round 2022 NFL mock draft

You could make the case that the Jacksonville Jaguars overpaid for some of the players they signed in free agency but given the state of the franchise and the fact that they were coming off a 3-14 season, it may have been the best course of action. After all, they refrained from making big-splash acquisitions the previous two seasons, and that approach didn’t take them anywhere.

Having said that, the Jags still have a few roster holes, even after their shopping spree in free agency. Fortunately, they will have 12 picks, four in the first three rounds, of the 2022 NFL Draft. Here’s a three-round mock draft in which they take care of the needs they didn’t address in free agency.

Jaguars mock draft – 1st round, 1st overall pick: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE.

Back at the scouting combine, general manager Trent Baalke said the Jaguars would be listening for offers to trade the first overall pick. However, their phone isn’t ringing, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, and it looks like they will ultimately keep the selection.

Based on their free agency moves, it looks like the Jaguars will take a pass rusher. For that reason, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is the favorite to go No. 1. Georgia’s Travon Walker has seen his draft stock raise in previous weeks and while he might have a higher ceiling than Hutchinson, the latter is the more polished of the two.

Thus, it makes sense for Jacksonville to take Hutchinson, who can make an impact from Day 1 while Walker might need some time to work on his game and make the leap to the NFL.