3 bold predictions for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2024 NFL Draft

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1. The Jaguars will trade up for Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze in Round 1

General manager Trent Baalke said in the Jaguars' pre-draft press conference that he likes this year's cornerbacks class. At No. 17, they could be in a favorable position to take one of the top prospects at the position but they could also wait until Rounds 2 or 3 to address the position.

You could make the case that cornerback is the Jaguars' biggest need right now, one should take care of it in the first round. However, there's a chance Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze will be available at No. 9. What do you do if you're the Jaguars if that's the case? Do you play it safe and take a corner with the 17th overall pick or do you trade up to land one of the top receivers in the draft?

While predictable, there's nothing wrong with staying put and going cornerback in the first round, but the Jaguars won't probably pass up the chance to trade up for Odunze or Nabers if they make it to No. 9. They met with the former at the Scouting Combine and the front office is "extremely high" on the latter, according to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated.

For the sake of argument, let's say Nabers is on the board at No. 9, the Jaguars can easily trade up and take a cornerback in Round 2. Sure, they would have to give up a couple of picks along the way, probably a third and a fourth to move up, but it would be worth it.

While Marvin Harrison Jr. remains the consensus top receiver in 2024 despite not working out at his Pro Day or the Scouting Combine, several clubs have placed Nabers at the top of their draft boards. It's easy to see why.

Nabers produced against the highest level of competition in college. He's got the skills set to thrive in the NFL, and his route-running is already polished. This means that the coaching staff won't have to devote as much time to him as they would with other prospects.

Odunze would be no consolation prize, though. In any other year, he would be the top receiver. Several teams have shown interest in him, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Media says clubs outside the top 10 will need to move up to land him.

Of course, this scenario will be out of the window if Nabers or Odunze are gone by No. 9. But if one of them is still available, expect the Jaguars to make a few calls to trade up.