2023 NFL Mock Draft: Jaguars address key needs in top 2 rounds
Final Jaguars 7-round mock draft: Round 2, get pick 43 from NY Jets: Deonte Banks
. . Deonte Banks, CB. . Jaguars 7-Round Mock Draft. 43. player. 439
The New Jets checked off a box before the draft when they finalized a trade for Aaron Rodgers. Now that they've stabilized the quarterback position for at least another year, it's time they focus on other needs.
The issue is the Jets currently have five picks but they take care of that by trading back 13 spots and acquiring two fourth-round picks (121, 127) and another one in Round 6 (185, the one they originally got from New York in the James Robinson trade) from the Jags in this mock.
With the 43rd overall pick, the Jaguars take Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks, who's been previously projected to go in the first round but could be available in the second. By selecting Banks, the team's brass finds someone who can line up in the slot to round out their cornerback group.
Final Jaguars 7-round mock draft: Round 3, pick 88: Sam LaPorta
483. . Jaguars 7-Round Mock Draft. Sam LaPorta, TE. 88. player. .
Giving up three selections to move up 13 spots in Round 2 feels a bit excessive but it beats the alternative, which was to part ways with the 88th pick, which Jacksonville could use on Iowa tight end Sam Laporta.
Although it would be great to take Michael Mayer or Dalton Kincaid in the first round, the Jaguars go with Sam LaPorta, who's gotten the spotlight over the last few weeks and brings lots of upside in the third round. At no point has LaPorta been seen as a potential first-round pick but if a team really likes him, he could go in the second.
Working in the Jags' favor is that he could still be on the board when they pick at No. 88 given how deep the tight end class is, which is why they keep it in this mock.