The Jacksonville Jaguars appear to be setting their sights on running back Ashton Jeanty with the fifth overall pick. However, they would probably pass on him if given the chance to trade down. Tom Pelissero of NFL Media believes that could be a realistic outcome come Draft Day.
Pelissero made an appearance on NFL Insiders and mentioned Jacksonville as a potential landing spot for teams interested in Jeanty. He argues that teams like the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys might need to get ahead of the Las Vegas Raiders if they want to land the former Boise State Bronco.
"Well, let's start with this, Jamie. He took three pre-draft visits. Ashton Jeanty visited the Raiders, who have the No. 6 pick. He visited the Bears, who have the No. 10 pick. He visited the Cowboys who have the No. 12 pick," Pelissero said. "To answer your question, yes, there is more noise about Ashton Jeanti going to the Raiders than probably a lot of other picks, a lot of other matches in the top 10. My question is not, does Ashton Jeanti end up going somewhere in the top 10? I believe he will."
Pelissero continued, "My question is, does somebody, for a running back, decide in order to get him, we got to trade up above the Raiders to ensure that we get him at number five? Jacksonville is in a really interesting spot. They've got a first-year GM and head coach. They potentially, in the right scenario, could be open for business."
"What you have to ask yourself, is, if you're Ben Johnson in Chicago, you're Brian Schottenheimer in Dallas, you're thinking, this guy can add a dimension that we can't get anyplace else. Is it worth it? Because it will be expensive to go up and get ahead of the Raiders. That is something that we'll be watching very closely as Thursday night approaches."
Like the Jaguars, Las Vegas appears to have a strong interest in Jeanty, with general manager John Spytek going as far as warning head coach Pete Carroll not to reveal their draft strategy. And if Jacksonville doesn't draft the 2024 Unanimous All-American at No. 5, the Raiders would become his most likely destination... unless the Bears or the Cowboys move ahead of them.
The Jaguars are the perfect trade partner for the Cowboys and Bears in the NFL Draft
Ashton Jeanty seemingly supplanted defensive tackle Mason Graham as the favorite to go to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 5. And if he's their guy, they should waste no time turning in the draft card with his name. But if they aren't sold on him or anyone else, trading down would be the best course of action if the opportunity arises.
Pete Prisco had previously brought up the Chicago Bears as a potential trade partner and suggested they could swap positions in exchange for a second-round pick. But if the Dallas Cowboys are all-in on Jeanty, they may make an offer the Jags cannot refuse, maybe second and third-round picks.
And at that point, the Jags would need to think if they're better off staying up at No. 5 or getting extra assets. Given that this is James Gladstone's first year at the helm, it's hard to tell how things will play out. One thing is certain: nobody appears to know what Jacksonville plans to do in Round 1. This will only add intrigue to the top 10 of the draft.