The 2022 NFL Draft is now in the books and the Jacksonville Jaguars should feel good about the group of players they walked away with.
Although the Jags had already made several upgrades to the roster in free agency, they acquired several players that could end up getting important roles as soon as this year.
Now, not everything is sunshine and flowers. While there are players and coaches that will benefit from the additions the Jags made in the draft, others will be affected. Here are the draft’s biggest winners and losers in Jacksonville.
No. 1 Jaguars biggest loser of the 2022 NFL Draft – Chapelle Russell, LB.
Early in the offseason, it looked like Chapelle Rusell and Shaquille Quarterman going to get a fair shot at earning a starting role in the Jaguars’ defensive lineup. After all, the organization didn’t make an aggressive effort to retain Damien Wilson, who went on to sign a two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers. The fact that the team released Myles Jack only increased their chances.
When the Jaguars signed linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, it was fair to think that Russell and Quarterman were going to be given the opportunity to earn the other spot. Alas, they might have a hard time earning playing time in 2022. First, general manager Trent Baalke traded up to take Devin Lloyd at No. 27 and later double dipped with the acquisition in the third round and drafted Chad Muma five picks later.
With Muma and Lloyd on the roster, it’s hard to envision Russell or Quarterman getting a meaningful number of snaps in 2022.
No. 1 Jaguars biggest winner of the 2022 NFL Draft – Mike Caldwell, DC.
With every pick the Jaguars made in this year’s draft, defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell’s eye probably gleamed brighter and brighter. After all, the team’s brass put a big emphasis on fortifying his unit and got him several difference-makers and plenty of enticing developmental prospects.
To begin with, the Jags drafted Travon Walker first overall. Later in the first round, they drafted Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd and then added Wyoming linebacker Chad Muma in the third round. If that wasn’t enough they later added a couple of cornerbacks in the seventh round.
Caldwell will have enough pieces and the freedom to install his systems in Year 1. Instead of having to wait, the organization has provided him with several building blocks. Last season, the Jags’ defense played well at times but they also struggled at key moments. It will be up to Caldwell to ensure they get better at stopping the run and the pass. Also, their front seven needs to generate pressure at a higher rate.
Fortunately, the Jaguars double down in getting Caldwell enough ingredients to cook in his first year at the helm, first in free agency and now in the draft.
No. 2 biggest loser of the 2022 NFL Draft – Trevor Lawrence, QB.
At first glance, calling Trevor Lawrence a loser of the 2022 draft might not make sense, when you take into account the Jaguars made it their mission to get him a better surrounding cast in free agency but that’s precisely why.
Lawrence was a winner in free agency precisely because of all the additions the Jags made on offense but that was then. In the draft, the top brass’ opted to load up on defensive talent and only devoted two picks to their offense, Kentucky center Luke Fortner in the third round and running back Snoop Conner in the fifth. Both players could get plenty of playing time in their rookie campaigns but the Jags could have also added a left guard to compete with Ben Bartch, and more importantly more wide receiver.
After signing Christian Kirk and Zay Jones in free agency, investing an early-round pick in a receiver might not have been a sound strategy going into the draft but Jacksonville could have easily used one of their many late-round selections on one. The team eventually signed Notre Dame’s Kevin Austin Jr. as an undrafted free agent but it feels like they could have done more.
On the bright side, the Jaguars are striving for balance and by allocating so many resources to their defense, Lawrence won’t have to be tasked with scoring more than 30 points per game to give his team a chance to win.
No. 2 Jaguars biggest winner of the 2022 NFL Draft – Laviska Shenault, WR.
The Jaguars’ front office put wide receiver Laviska Shenault on notice in free agency when they signed Christian Kirk and Zay Jones. Viska is coming of a disappointing season in which he averaged less than 10 yards per reception and didn’t reach the end zone once.
Shenault was reportedly placed on the trade block this offseason and his chances of remaining in Jacksonville would have taken a significant hit if the Jaguars’ brass had drafted a wideout with an early-round pick. In the end, the Jags didn’t add a single wide receiver and Shenault will probably get a chance to prove that last year was an outlier and he’s still the talented player he was coming out of college.
Back in his rookie campaign, Shenault caught 58 receptions for 600 yards and five touchdowns. He displayed an ability to break tackles but also to get deep. He still forced a few missed tackles and was responsible for a few big plays but the Jags still felt inclined to add other wide receivers in the offseason. It’s possible that the front office believes that Viska was better than the options available in the draft and will get an opportunity to bounce back.
It wouldn’t have made sense to give up on Shenault after only two seasons. Imagine Jacksonville releasing him or trading him only to see him thrive with another team. However you look at it, it would have been a questionable move.
No. 3 Jaguars biggest loser of the 2022 NFL Draft – K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB.
While Laviska Shanault benefits from how the draft unfolded, outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson will be affected negatively and his days playing for the Black and Teal might be numbered. The former LSU Tiger has previously been the subject of trade talks but even though he remains in Jacksonville after the selection meeting, he might not make the final 53-man roster.
Chaisson hasn’t lived up to his draft billing over the last two seasons and might become a victim of the numbers game. The 20th overall pick in the 2020 draft has logged just two sacks over the last two seasons and hasn’t generated many big plays. After rushing the passer from a two-point stance in college, he was asked to play with his hand on the ground in his rookie campaign. He was moved to strong linebacker last offseason but his play didn’t improve considerably.
You could make the case that the lack of stability has hurt Chaisson’s development but it looks like the current regime has seen enough of him and has acted accordingly. Back in free agency, the Jags signed defensive end Arden Key and they just drafted Travon Walker first overall.
‘Swiper’ might still get a chance to compete for a roster spot in training camp but even if he makes the cut, he won’t likely get meaningful playing time in 2022. For this reason, the Jaguars’ brass might be better off trading Chaisson before the start of the season.
No. 3 Jaguars biggest winner of the 2022 NFL Draft – Travon Walker.
Travon Walker was the first player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft and that’s an honor no other football player can boast about. The fact that Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke sees plenty of former NFL defensive Aldon Smith in Walker certainly played a big role in the organization’s decision to choose him over Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
Even though the Jaguars don’t get plenty of national media coverage, Walker will often get the spotlight simply because he was the first overall pick, which is a good thing. If he plays well, the Jags’ national profile will get a boost. The Georgia native told the local media that he doesn’t pay too much attention to what others say, which will help him stay focused.
Walker also told the media he was glad he went to the Jaguars because his family can make the trip to Jacksonville without having to fly. This should in turn help him feel at home. Moreover, he’s already acquainted with several of his new teammates. He met cornerback Tyson Campbell when the two played at Georgia. Similarly, Walker says he met Trevor Lawrence back in high school. This kind of familiarity and environment should help him with the transition to the NFL.
Sure, Walker will face plenty of scrutiny as the No. 1 pick and he will be expected to become a playmaker from Day 1. Every mistake he makes will be magnified, and he will be questioned if he struggles and Aidan Hutchinson thrives early on. Nevertheless, the Jags believe they got a potential franchise building block and Walker arguably landed in the best possible spot.