5 draft prospects the Jaguars should watch closely in the Peach Bowl
No. 4 Prospect the Jaguars should watch in the Peach Bowl: Zach Harrison
The Jaguars’ defense has been a mixed bag in 2022. They’ve shown a propensity to force turnovers but they’ve also allowed opposing teams to gain yards (and score in big chunks). One area the team’s brass could improve is their pass rush. Outside linebacker Travon Walker is still a work in progress and outside linebacker Josh Allen has been good but not great.
While the Jags won’t be in a position to take some of the top pass rushers in the first round, there still be several intriguing prospects later in the draft. Ohio State edge defender Zach Harrison is one of them.
Harrison doesn’t have top awareness and needs to work on his recognition skills. On the other hand, he excels at shedding blocks and has the explosiveness and physical traits to wreak havoc at the line of scrimmage. The Ohio State standout logged 30 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one interception in 2022. He would be a solid addition to the Jags’ pass-rush rotation, especially if he’s available in the third round.
No. 3 Prospect the Jaguars should watch in the Peach Bowl: Robert Beal Jr.
player. 814. . . . Robert Beal Jr., pass rusher.
If the Jags are interested in taking a developmental edge defender in the draft, Georgia’s Robert Beal Jr. is their man. Beal had 6.5 sacks as a junior but only 1.5 in 2022. Yet, he’s shown the ability to create pressure and drop back in coverage.
You can’t ever have enough pass rushers and Beal would provide value in the sixth or seventh round. Also, he would reunite with former teammate Travon Walker.