It takes a few years to really assess how good a draft class is but optimally, you want to see seem play early, especially the early-round picks. After all, first and second-round selections are for often than not ready to start from Day 1 and there might be a cause for concern if they are watching from the sidelines in their rookie campaign.
Last year, only two members of the Jaguars’ 2021 rookie class started on Day 1 and logged an important amount of playing time throughout the season: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence and cornerback Tyson Campbell. This year, these three are a good bet to start against the Washington Commanders in Week 1.
No. 1 Jaguars rookie who could be a Day 1 starter – Luke Fortner, C.
Brandon Linder, a mainstay of the Jaguars’ offensive line since 2014, announced his retirement earlier this year. But even if he hadn’t stepped away, he might have gotten released because he was set to make $10 million in 2022, and none of it was guaranteed.
Knowing Linder wasn’t part of the team’s plans in 2022, the Jags re-signed Tyler Shatley, their primary backup in the interior offensive line. Shatley is the starting center ahead of training camp but he will probably compete with rookie Luke Fortner for the job ahead of the 2022 season.
While Fortner played guard for most of his collegiate career at Kentucky, he successfully pulled off the switch to center last season. Shatley made 18 starts over the last two seasons but Fornter has more upside and it might be a good idea to learn on the job. The former Wildcat will have his fair share of bumps and bruises in his first NFL season but that kind of experience could prove to be invaluable down the road.
No. 2 Jaguars rookie who could be a Day 1 starter – Devin Lloyd, LB.
The Jaguars made upgrades to most position groups this offseason but their linebacker corps arguably got the biggest makeover. Besides giving Foyesade Oluokun a three-year deal worth $45 million, they selected Utah’s Devin Lloyd with the 27th overall pick of this year’s draft and later took Wyoming’s Chad Muma at No. 70.
Before the draft, it looked like Chapelle Russell or Shaquille Quarterman would get a chance to compete for the starting spot next to Oluokun but that now seems highly unlikely after allocating two early-round selections to the linebacker unit.
Looking back, the Jaguars’ decision to trade three picks and move up six spots to land Lloyd isn’t particularly shocking. The Jags needed to add an off-linebacker after parting ways with Myles Jack and Damien Wilson earlier this year and due to his status as a first-round draft pick, the former Utah Utes has a good chance to start from Day 1.
Lloyd was one of the best linebackers in the class and one of the top overall prospects in the selection meeting. However, his position doesn’t have the same value as edge rushers, cornerbacks, and wide receivers, that’s why he experience a slight slide and was available at No. 27.
Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell will ask the California native to do several things (drop in coverage, stop the run, and blitz but he should be up to the task. Don’t be surprised if Lloyd becomes a darkhorse candidate for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
No. 2 Jaguars rookie who could be a Day 1 starter – Travon Walker.
This one isn’t particularly shocking when you take into account that the Jaguars took defensive lineman Travon Walker with the No. 1 pick of the draft. Top 5 selections hardly ever start their rookie season on the bench and quarterbacks get to see the field from Day 1 nowadays.
The biggest caveat with Walker is that he didn’t play just a single position at Georgia and instead was asked to move across the Bulldogs’ defensive line and fill different roles. In Jacksonville, he will rush the quarterback, something he didn’t do often throughout his collegiate career. In fact, his lack of experience in that regard was his biggest question mark ahead of the draft. However, he has plenty of time to get acclimated to his new position, and even if he is off to a slow start, he will be better off dealing with the learning curve early on.
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports recently suggested that Walker could benefit from a redshirt year but he won’t get any better on the sidelines. Sure, he might learn a thing or two from watching his teammates’ plays but he can also do that by watching tape. He must get as many snaps as possible to hone his skills as a pass rusher.
The Jags don’t probably see Walker as a project. Otherwise, they might not have taken him with the top pick in the draft. That’s why they need to make him a starter from Day 1, a move that could pay off in the long run.