5 Jacksonville Jaguars intriguing targets at No. 24 in the 2023 NFL Draft
The Jacksonville Jaguars were relatively quiet in free agency, mostly focusing on keeping their own players and bolstering their depth at a couple of position groups. This was mostly due to the limited amount of cap space they had at their disposal. On the bright side, Jacksonville can address pretty much all their needs in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Jags have nine draft selections, three of them in the top 100. While they usually pick in the top then, their earliest choice this year is at No. 24. Even though prospects such as cornerback Christian Gonzalez and Will Anderson Jr. won't be available when they're on the clock, there will still be many enticing players on the board. And here are five they would surely like to take.
No. 5 draft target for the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 24 - O'Cyrus Torrence
The Jaguars' interior offensive line could use some depth. While Luke Fortner showed promise as a rookie and Brandon Scherff solidified the guard spot on the right side, the left guard position might require a boost.
Ben Bartch, a 2020 fourth-round selection, entered the 2022 campaign as the Jaguars' starting left guard. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury in Week 5 that ended his season prematurely. Even though Bartch should be back in the fold, he's entering a contract year, so it might be a good idea to start looking for his replacement, and Florida offensive guard O'Cyrus Torrence might be a realistic option in this year's draft.
Projected to go in the first round, Torrence has stated that he likes the Jaguars' scheme and the offensive line coach Phil Rauscher. The Louisiana native mostly lined up on the right side at Florida but with Scherff firmly entrenched at right guard, the coaching staff would probably need to move to the left side, where he would compete with Bartch for the starting job.
Torrance doesn't have great lateral agility, which sometimes puts him in an unfavorable position against speedy edge rushers. However, he has outstanding functional strength, a good quick step a high motor, key traits that should help him successfully make the transition to the NFL.