Jaguars undergo a makeover after swapping picks with Giants in 3-round NFL Mock Draft
The Jacksonville Jaguars could face a potential conundrum in 2025. They're currently on pace to hold the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. That would be a reason for celebration most years, as they would be in a position to acquire a franchise building block.
However, the Jags are set at quarterback and have a pair of bookend pass rushers in Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. Add the fact that there doesn't appear to be a surefire No. 1 prospect and the best course of action could be to trade the pick.
If that's the route Jacksonville takes, it should have no shortage of suitors. The New York Giants, the Seattle Seahawks, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the New York Jets are among those teams in need of help at quarterback who could make an attempt to trade for the first overall selection.
In fact, Matt Miller of ESPN recently suggested a proposal in which the Jags trade the No. 1 pick to the New York Giants in exchange for the third overall in 2025, two second-rounders, and a third-rounder in 2025.
You could make the case that the first overall pick is worth more but getting three Day 2 picks by moving down two spots is a pretty good deal. For the sake of the argument, let's say Jacksonville pulled off Miller's proposal and swapped picks with the G-Men. The following three-round mock draft shows the kind of haul they could end up with.
Round 1, pick 3: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Tetairoa McMillan will be the best non-Travis Hunter receiver prospect in 2025, and unlike his Colorado counterpart, there's no uncertainty regarding the position he'll play in the pros.
At No. 3, the Jaguars could select either one, but they roll with McMillan in this mock draft. They already have a WR1 in Brian Thomas Jr. but the Arizona standout would give Trevor Lawrence another weapon.
You could argue that the Jags already have Gabe Davis and Christian Kirk, but the former was underwhelming before he suffered a season-ending injury and the latter could be a cap casualty in 2025. Either way, McMillan would give the wide receiver corps a much-needed boost.
Round 2, pick 33: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
There's probably not an offensive tackle worth a top-5 pick in 2025, so why reach? Instead, the Jags wait until the second round to beef up the trenches with Ohio State's Josh Simmons. While the Jaguars could try to re-sign Walker Little in free agency, they let him walk in this scenario and take Simmons with the 33rd overall pick to replace him.
Simmons has mostly played right tackle in college but can line up on either side. The Jaguars would need to choose where they want him to line up, but he would most definitely give them a bookend offensive tackle opposite Anton Harrison.
Round 2, pick 35 (via Giants): Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
Shavon Revel would've been a surefire first-round pick if he hadn't suffered an ACL injury three games into the 2024 season. Before getting hurt, he gave up just a 38.1 percent completion rate when targeted and posted a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 85.4. The East Carolina standout will probably be available at No. 35, where he would give the Jags massive value.
The Jags desperately need a cornerback opposite Tyson Campbell and Revel would check off a massive box.
Round 3, pick 65: Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
Unless the Jags re-sign Andre Cisco next offseason, they'll need to add another safety in free agency or the draft. Given that they'll have other more pressing needs to address, they could wait until Round 3 to take care of the position. Xavier Nwankpa should be available at No. 65.
Although the Iowa standout only has one year of full-time starting experience at the college level, he has all the traits you want in a top-end safety. Once he hones his skills, he'll develop into a dependable starter.
Round 3, pick 67: Tate Ratledge, RG, Georgia
Right guard Brandon Scherff is set to become a free agent in 2025, and the Jaguars will need to find his heir apparent. They could bring in a seasoned veteran in free agency but could also add a long-term replacement at the position in the draft. Tate Ratledge could be that player.
Ratledge has exclusively lined up at right guard for the Bulldogs, but that's where the Jaguars would need him, so his lack of versatility wouldn't be an issue. Aside from some technical issues, he's got all the tools to compete for a starting spot as a rookie.
Round 3, pick 92: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
The Jaguars added an extra third-rounder after moving down from No. 17 to No. 23 in this year's draft. That selection will tentatively be No. 92 in 2025, and with it, Jacksonville takes Tyleik Williams to fortify their interior defensive line.
William's biggest negative is that he's inconsistent but has flashed enough talent to take a flyer on him in Round 3. The Ohio State standout may need a bit of time to hit his stride but would most definitely add depth and competition to a group in dire need of both.