NFL execs have mixed opinions about the Jaguars plans at No. 1

The 2022 NFL Draft is basically a couple weeks away from taking place and there’s no clarity regarding the Jacksonville Jaguars’ plan at No.1. The fact that there isn’t a consensus top prospect doesn’t help matters. Still, that won’t stop anyone from making an educated guess, and if you survey league executives, many will tell you the Jags will take Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson but it could turn out to be a close call.

NFL insider Matt Lombardo of FanSided talked to several executives and coaches around and asked them to share their thoughts on the first overall selection. An NFC general manager believes this is as “wide open as I can remember” and thinks that Hutchinson or Georgia’s Travon Walker will ultimately be the pick. An AFC scout who sees the Jags taking Walker had good things to say about him, “He’s just an athletic freak. Plain and simple”. However, Hutchinson also got plenty of praise. An NFC personnel executive made the case for the former Wolverine.

"“Aidan Hutchinson. He just makes all the plays. He has the highest motor of any of the edge rushers in this class, he’s the most consistent of the bunch, and has an awesome work ethic on and off the field.”"

An agent also sees Hutchinson as the safest prospect at the top of the draft but believes he has a limited ceiling, “If you’re good with that, then he’s a good pick for them”. An NFC defensive coach did a good job of summarizing the situation.

"“I could really see them debating this until they have to turn the card in. Defensive end and offensive tackle are probably most likely, and from what I’ve heard, Aidan Hutchinson has really, really high NFL grades from most teams. I could easily see him being where they land.”"

Would the Jaguars take Travon Walker over Aidan Hutchinson?

Right after the Jaguars applied the franchise tag on Cam Robinson, Aidan Hutchinson became the favorite to go first overall. However, Walker’s draft stock has experienced a surge in recent weeks and has a legitimate chance to get the call. Mike Garafolo of NFL media says the former Bulldog is definitely in play. Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network adds that Jacksonville isn’t the only team that thinks highly of Walker and notes that he’s the top player on several team’s draft boards.

Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke “sees a lot of defensive end Aldon Smith” (one of his first-round picks with the San Francisco 49ers) on Walker, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see him and not Hutchinson go No. 1. Then again, nothing is set in stone and there’s a remote chance Jacksonville throws a curveball at everyone and takes either Alabama’s Evan Neal or North Carolina State’s Ikem Ekwonu with the top selection in the draft.

Sure, tagging Robinson reduces the chances of using the No. 1 pick on an offensive tackle but what if the Jags plan to plug Neal or Ekwonu at guard and move them outside next year? It’s not likely but it shouldn’t be ruled out either.

It sounds cliché but the Jaguars need to take the best players available with the first overall pick. Based on how things have unfolded, either Hutchinson or Walker will get the nod but we might not know until they turn the card in on Draft Day.