The Jacksonville Jaguars will have a wide array of intriguing possibilities with the fifth overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. The consensus thinks that defensive tackle Mason Graham will be the pick, but nobody would bat an eye if the Jags chose to address another position. In fact, Hays Carlyon of 1010 XL made a compelling case for the Jags to beef up the offensive line.
Carlyon said on Duval Rundown that Mason Graham makes sense at No. 5, but Jacksonville might be better off drafting an offensive tackle, pointing out that the dropoff at the position from Rounds 1 to 2 will be steep.
"I think the interesting thing for me is how they assess the value in this draft and where to attack positions of weakness and positions of strength," Carlyon told colleague Mia O'Brien. "Obviously, Mason Graham makes the most sense in terms of guys that we think will be there and the need involved in that. But I keep getting back to offensive tackle just because if you don't address it at No. 5, I'm not sure you get a great opportunity to address it at any other point in the draft."
Carlyon continued, "To me, there's just such a drop off between Campbell and mimbu to the rest of the class. And again, I keep hearing watching the hunt and hearing Tony Boselli saying, 'We're starting at Ground Zero,' It does make me wonder if Boselli, Coen, and Gladstone have sort of come around on the idea of, 'we can't fix everything in one off season, but we can absolutely fix the offensive line.' And I'm not sure that even though they have really prioritized it in free agency.
"I'm not sure they wouldn't take one of those two tackles at five, potentially. To me, it's a big guy- Mason Graham makes a ton of sense. He's probably considered, consensusly, a better prospect than Campbell or Membou, although it's close, but I think it's a big guy. I think if you take the offensive tackle at five, then everything else, as you go down the board, everything else is still really in play with great value."
Carlyon goes on to say that he thinks the Jaguars will offensive tackle at No. 5, pointing out that Walker Little's extension shouldn't "cement the fact that he's the starting left tackle.
This isn't the first time someone has suggested that either Little isn't guaranteed to start or that he needs to compete for the job. Tom McManus of 1010 XL and John Oehser of the team's official website have also brought up the issue.
Why Armand Membou and Will Campbell make sense for the Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars could go in virtually any direction at No. 5 and would be getting great value. Mason Graham would most definitely make sense, but nobody would be surprised if they chose pass rusher Jalon Walker. Similarly, running back isn't a glaring need, but the Jags could end up taking Ashton Jeanty if they think he's an upgrade over incumbents Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne. On the other hand, drafting either Armand Membou or Will Campbell would be an intriguing choice.
Walker Little and Ezra Cleveland were the starters at left tackle and left guard, respectively, last year. However, neither is a blue-chip player, so the Jaguars might not hesitate to replace them. Granted, they both signed new contracts in 2024. That may prompt the front office to skip them in the draft, but if they want to make upgrades to the roster, regardless of who's already in the mix, taking Campbell or Membou shouldn't be an issue.
Both played offensive tackle in college, and could either compete with Little for the starting job on the edge or move to guard. Regardless of the position, they would give the offensive trenches a boost. The only obstable the Jaguars would face if they're interested in either Campbell and Membou is that the New England Patriots could take them one pick earlier.
The truth is that the Jaguars could go either offense or defense in the first round, but if they want to draft a starting offensive tackle, they're better off doing it at No. 5, as Hans Carlyon suggests.
Here are other Jaguars stories you may also like:
manual