5 players the Jaguars might regret passing on in the 2022 NFL Draft

No. 4 player the Jaguars might regret not drafting: Cam Jurgens, OL

Due to the retirement of veteran Brandon Linder this offseason, center was one of the Jags’ most pressing needs ahead of this year’s draft. And they ultimately took care of it when they selected Kentucky’s Luke Fortner with the first pick of the third round, the 65th overall. Fortner is currently behind veteran Tyler Shatley on the depth chart, which will give him the chance to work on his craft and step into the football field whenever he’s ready, which may or may not be this upcoming season.

You could make the case that the Jaguars played their cards right when they selected Fortner. After all, they didn’t have to trade up and part ways with draft picks to get him. However, they also passed up the chance to take Cam Jurgens, who was selected 51st overall by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Jaguars wouldn’t have had to move to take the Nebraska product and could have taken him with the 33rd overall selection.

A tight end in high school, Jurgens switched positions in college and went on to make 31 starts at center for the Huskers. He was arguably the second-best center prospect in this year’s draft, only behind Tyler Linderbaum, and was even mocked to Jacksonville ahead of the draft.

Ultimately, the Jags are playing the long game and there’s a chance Fortner will become their center for the next ten years. However, it’s fair to wonder what could’ve been if they had chosen Jurgens instead.