The Jacksonville Jaguars have an ample list of needs to address next year. The interior offensive line isn't the highest but it certainly requires attention. After all, center Mitch Morse's contract runs through 2025 and right guard Brandon Scherff is slated to hit the open market. Fortunately for the Jags, the draft class will have plenty of options, and Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report believes Emery Jones Jr. would be a great addition.
Ballentine drew up a list of needs for all NFL teams ahead of Week 17 and suggests Jacksonville draft Jones, arguing that the LSU product could be an intriguing heir apparent for Scherff.
"If the Jaguars are going to rise from this disastrous season, it's going to have to start with the offensive line and keeping Trevor Lawrence healthy. The defense hasn't been good, but the offense hasn't helped its quarterback either. Brandon Scherff is an aging, pending free agent and Mitch Morse is an older center. An infusion of youth would be good for the interior of the unit."
A four-star recruit out of college, Jones has mostly lined up at offensive tackle for the Tigers. However, he's projected to make the switch to guard in the pros. Given that he plays on the right side, he would be an option to replace Scherff, who will be 33 in 2025.
So why is Jones probably making the transition to guard? Brandon Thorn of the B/R scouting department says that the 2023 Second-Team All-SEC struggled to defend the corner against wide alignments. Moreover, he'll need to work on his upright stance and less-than-ideal footwork.
On the other hand, Thorn argues that Jones has the strength, size, and demeanor to succeed in the NFL, which is why he projects him to go in Round 3. Coincidentally, the Jaguars have two selections in the third round (and two in the fourth). They got the extra third and fourth-round selections after agreeing to move down six spots in the 2023 NFL Draft.
How could Emery Jones Jr. help the Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft?
There will be no shortage of guards to choose from in next year's draft, especially in the third and fourth rounds. That would allow the Jacksonville Jaguars to address other needs and bolster their interior offensive line on Day 2 or early on Day 3.
When it comes to Emery Jones Jr., the Jaguars will have to make a projection. Granted, that's true for every single prospect, but the LSU standout will require a bit of guesswork because he'll switch positions, unlike Ar'maj Reed-Adams or Tate Ratledge. Both of whom played right guard at the collegiate level.
Then again, Jones' upside may be too good to pass up. Furthermore, the Jaguars won't be limited to just one draft. They could allocate multiple picks to their interior offensive line, and it wouldn't be a bad investment.
The bottom line is that the Jacksonville Jaguars will have options to bolster their interior offensive line next year, and Emery Jones Jr. will be one of them probably in the mid-rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.