4 draft prospects the Jacksonville Jaguars must keep an eye on in 2024 Senior Bowl
2. Christian Haynes, interior offensive lineman
Center is arguably the Jaguars' biggest need right now, with incumbent Luke Fortner taking a step back in 2023. Last year, they couldn't run the ball in the middle and Trevor Lawrence was pressured at a high rate. Fortner was the main culprit. Jackson Powers-Johnson should be on Jacksonville's radar. He had an outstanding week of Senior Bowl practice before leaving with an undisclosed injury.
Nobody has had a better Senior Bowl than Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson.
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) February 3, 2024
Rare blend of size, power, and finesse. We can debate the analytics of drafting a Center in Round 1, but had a scout say this week he’s prob top 5 at the position the moment the Commish calls his name. pic.twitter.com/AcM1oVUKtX
Powers-Johnson would be a great pick at No. 17. That said, he's not the only center who's stood out during Senior Bowl week. And if they want to bolster the position later in the draft, UConn's Christian Haynes will then become an alternative. Haynes has made most of his chances to impress scouts, lining up at both guard and center and excelling at both.
At 6'2", Haynes may be better suited to line up at center but he's also got plenty of experience playing right guard, having made 49 consecutive starts for the Huskies. That kind of flexibility should incentivize the Jaguars to keep a close eye on him. While he doesn't have great quickness, he makes up for it by taking ideal angles and fending off defenders with his length.
Yup Christian Haynes pic.twitter.com/TZDwIXIPPI
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 30, 2024
Brandon Thorn of the B/R scouting department projects Haynes to go in the third round, describing him as a "hard-nosed mentally sharp" prospect. He could need a bit of time to develop and earn a starting role but he would be an intriguing developmental option in case the Jaguars address their interior offensive line in free agency.