The Jacksonville Jaguars hold the fifth overall pick in what will be the first draft of the Liam Coen era. While adding help to the defensive line would make the most sense for the Jaguars, the recent slew of mock drafts have the team finding a replacement for Evan Engram, who departed in free agency this offseason.
The Jaguars spent a second-round pick on Brenton Strange two years ago and he put up respectable numbers in Engram's absence last season. That being said, if an elite tight end is available when the Jaguars are on the clock, perhaps they forego taking a defensive lineman and go for the offensive weapon for Trevor Lawrence instead.
Jaguars add pass-catching option for Trevor Lawrence in mock draft roundup
CBS Sports: Tyler Warren, TE (Penn State) [Trade with Saints]
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports has a pretty cool scenario working out for Jacksonville in the first round. Benjamin proposed a trade between the Jags and Saints that would allow New Orleans to move into the fifth overall spot to take Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The Jaguars would then be bumped down to the ninth overall pick where they still land a baller in Tyler Warren.
If the original plan is to draft Warren and the Jags are able to move down, still land him, and earn some more picks in the process, that's a huge win for this team on draft night. Some might argue that the team has bigger needs but Warren gives Lawrence a shiny new weapon for the first year of the Coen era.
Grade: A
Pro Football Network: Tyler Warren, TE (Penn State)
Pro Football Network also has Warren landing with the Jaguars but this time they'd remain in their fifth overall spot. This pick would make sense given Coen's offensive-minded background and the fact that the Jags have a need at the tight end position. Some might think spending the fifth overall pick on a tight end is too much but Coen is always going to value adding offensive weapons first and foremost, especially in his first year.
The trade in the previous mock got a higher grade than this one because the Jags moved down, got the guy they wanted and added draft capital. They stayed put and got their guy here but there'd definitely be conversations if the team spent a top-five pick on a tight end.
Grade: B
NBC Sports: Mason Graham, DL (Michigan)
Connor Rogers of NBC Sports had the Jaguars going in a totally different direction, connecting the team to Michigan's Mason Graham with the fifth overall pick. With how strong of a need the defensive line is for this team, Graham would immediately bolster that unit. The Jaguars land the best player available here and address a position of need. Win-win.
Grade: A