Heading into Week 14, the Jacksonville Jaguars were on pace to get the first overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. But with a win over the Tennessee Titans, they're now slated to pick at No. 5. The silver lining is that they would still have ample choices if they end up with that choice, and Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus believes they would be in a position to take one of the top-2 defensive prospects.
Locker offered two choices to all 32 NFL teams in a recent mock draft and suggests Jacksonville selects either cornerback Will Johnson or edge rusher Mason Graham, noting that their 32nd-ranked defense could use reinforcements.
When making a case for Johnson, Locker says that Jacksonville needs a starting cornerback opposite Tyson Campbell. This makes sense when you take into account that Ronald Darby has been unremarkable.
"Jacksonville ranks only 24th in team coverage grade, and regular starting cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Jarrian Jones have underwhelmed with sub-60.0 PFF coverage grades. Factor in worse play from their safety group, and the Jaguars could use a legitimate lockdown cornerback. Will Johnson has never allowed more than 353 total yards in any college season, yielding only two touchdowns in coverage."
For the sake of transparency, Jarrian Jones has lined up at time in the boundaries but he's mostly played nickel this season.
On the other hand, Locker believes Graham could give the Jacksonville interior defensive line a boost, pointing out that both Davon Hamilton and Jeremiah Ledbetter have been far from impressive this season.
"The Jaguars could use also help along their interior offensive line, but it feels too early relative to value to select that here. Instead, Jacksonville could opt for another talented defender like Mason Graham, the highest-graded interior defender in the Power Four."
While they were on pace to acquire the top pick, the Jags were linked to two-star Travis Hunter. Whether he commits to playing wide receiver or cornerback, he would've helped them fill a need. Another alternative would've been to trade down in exchange for more picks.
The truth is that the Jaguars are in an odd position. They have a franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence and a pair of talented pass rushers in Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, so they must focus on bolstering either their wide receiver corps or their cornerback group in the first round.
Mason Graham or Will Johnson? The Jaguars will have options at No. 5
Even if the Jacksonville Jaguars ultimately get the fifth overall pick, they'll be in a position to address one of their biggest needs. After all, two of the teams currently ahead of them — Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Giants — will probably go quarterback. A third club will likely take Travis Hunter, meaning that either Will Johnson or Mason Graham will be available when the Jags are on the clock.
On the off chance Johnson and Graham were off the board, Jacksonville could select receiver Tetaiora McMillan. Rookie Brian Thomas Jr. has proven to be the real deal but Trevor Lawrence could use another weapon. One position the team's brass won't be zeroing in with the No. 5 pick is left tackle.
Jacksonville checked off that box when it signed left tackle Walker Little to a three-year deal worth $45 million. Maybe the team wasn't particularly thrilled about its options in free agency or the incoming draft class, but regardless of the reason, the Jaguars won't be on the market for a blindside protector.
On the other hand, they'll need to look for a potential replacement for right guard Brandon Scherff. However, that's something they can do in later rounds. The No. 5 pick would be too early to select an interior offensive lineman, and the second and third rounds will have no shortage of quality prospects.
The bottom line is that the Jacksonville Jaguars cannot go wrong with either Will Johnson or Mason Graham but even if they're not available, they'll still have enticing alternatives at No. 5.