3 potential NFL draft prospects the Jacksonville Jaguars should keep an eye on
• But they'll need to replenish the roster next offseason
• Here are 3 draft prospect who could fill their 3 biggest needs
The Jacksonville Jaguars have done a good job of loading up on talent the last three years. However, they'll need to replenish their roster next season. While they'll have a healthy amount of cap space to bring back key contributors and maybe sign a couple players in free agency, they'll have a limited amount of picks in the NFL Draft.
The Jags owe the Atlanta Falcons a pick next year, which could range from a second to a fourth, as a part of the Calvin Ridley trade. They also gave the Minnesota Vikings a sixth-rounder when they acquired Ezra Cleveland at the deadline.
The good news is that they still have their first-round selection. And here are three prospects they could target with that selection to address a trio of potential needs next year.
No. 3 prospect the Jaguars can pick in the NFL Draft to address a need: Zach Frazier, IOL
The Jacksonville Jaguars just traded for Ezra Cleveland to shore up the left guard position. A second-round pick in 2020, Cleveland is in the last year of his rookie deal, so he will have half a season to earn a contract extension. For the sake of argument, let's say he walks in the offseason, the Jags will then need to find a replacement and Zach Frazier would be an enticing option in the draft.
Frazier has mostly played center at West Virginia but he could switch to guard. An alternative would be to bring him in and have him challenge Luke Fortner for the starting job at center. Fortner was a Week 1 starter last year and hasn't missed a snap in 2023. That said, he hasn't been particularly great (especially in the running game) and could benefit from competition.
Either way, Frazier would fortify Jacksonville's interior offensive line. Brandon Thorton of the Bleacher Report scouting depart, for one, likes what he's seen in the Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalists:
"Frazier is a four-time heavyweight state champion wrestler from West Virginia with the command pre-snap, football intelligence, and grip strength of a starting NFL center"
One thing to keep an eye on is that Frazier is a junior and hasn't declared for the 2024 draft. But if he does, he should definitely be on the Jaguars' radar.