3 mistakes the Jaguars cannot afford to repeat in the 2022 NFL Draft

3. The Jaguars need better production from their late-round picks.

While you shouldn’t expect to find future Pro Bowlers in the later rounds of the draft, you should come out with a handful of players that can contribute on special teams and provide depth to their roster. If you happen to find an impact starter, consider yourself lucky because that’s the exception, not the norm.

Having said that, the Jaguars’ brass hasn’t been good at identifying talent beyond the third round. Many of the players they drafted in 2020 are no longer on the roster. Cornerback Josiah Scott was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles last offseason. Tight end Tyler Davis, wide receiver Collin Johnson, and quarterback Jake Luton were waived last year (although the latter eventually returned).

The Jags’ 2021 draft class wasn’t much better. Wide receiver Jalen Camp didn’t even make the 53-man roster. Edge rusher Jordan Smith was inactive for most of the season and didn’t register a stat. Defensive tackle Jay Tufele struggled with injuries and barely played. The best of the bunch was tight end Luke Farrell, who hauled in seven receptions for 56 yards.

As important as it will be for the Jaguars to nail their first two picks, they also need to get a few contributors with their late-round picks. As of this writing, they will have eight picks in rounds 4 to 7 and while they may use a few of them as ammo to trade up, they must find a few core special team players and developmental prospects.