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.
No. 4 draft target for the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 24 - Myles Murphy
The Jags had the top pick in the draft the last two years but they'll be picking in the second half of the first round after going 9-7 and winning the AFC South last season. At No. 24, they will be in a position to take edge rusher Myles Murphy, who could give a boost to their pass-rush rotation.
Even though outside linebacker Travon Walker is set to improve in 2023, bookend edge rusher Josh Allen is entering a contract year and is currently unknown if he'll remain with the team beyond next season. On top of that, 2020 first-round pick K'Lavon Chaisson might be on the roster bubble, and defensive end Arden Key signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency.
The Jags could bring back Dawuane Smoot, who became a free agent but remains unsigned. He has been a mainstay of the defense since Jacksonville drafted him in 2017 but he's coming off an Achilles tear he sustained near the end of the 2022 season. Whether the team's brass re-sign Smoot or not, they could target Clemson edge rusher Myles Murphy with the 24th overall selection.
A five-star recruit out of high school, Murphy has a nasty bull rush but also has the bend and acceleration to get around the edge. At 275 pounds, he has better-than-expected athleticism for a player his size and superb recognition skills. On the other hand, the Georgia native must work on his pass-rushing moves. Similarly, he has to take better angles and avoid overpursuing ball carriers.
Murphy can drop back in coverage and rush the quarterback from a standup position. However, Matt Holder of the Bleacher Report scouting department believes he's better suited to play in a three-point stance, noting that the former Clemson Tiger is "somewhat scheme-versatile" for a team looking for a defensive end that plays with his hand on the group.
No. 3 draft target for the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 24 - Michael Mayer
At first sight, it doesn't look like tight end is a need for the Jaguars after applying the franchise tag on Evan Engram, which will keep him around for at least one more year. But a closer look reveals the front office must restock the position, with Chris Manhertz joining the Denver Broncos and Dan Arnold leaving in free agency.
The only other tight end currently under contract on the Jags' roster besides Engram is 2021 fifth-round pick Luke Farrell, who is nothing more than a reserve player at this point of his career. Arnold saw a decrease in snaps last year so it's hard to see him returning. Thus, general manager Trent Baalke will need to find his and Manhertz's replacements in the draft.
Working in Baalke's favor is that this is one of the deepest tight-end classes in recent years, so the Jags could wait until the second or third round to address the position. But if they opt to give it a try in the first round, they should then go after Michael Mayer, who should be available at No. 24.
Mayer's 180 receptions over the last three years are tied for the third-most in Notre Dame history and his 67 receptions in 2022 are the most by a tight end in team history. Leaving his production for the Fighting Irish aside, the northern Kentucky native can be a factor as a pass catcher but is also a solid in-line blocker, which should help him stay on the field regardless of the formation.
Derrik Klassen of the Bleacher Report scouting department sees blocking as Mayer's "only minor pain point", noting that he "doesn't move people the way his frame suggests". Nevertheless, Klassen thinks Mayer has the potential to become a top-echelon tight end.
While the Jags have more pressing needs, taking Mayer could help them prepare in case Engram leaves in 2023. And all things considered, there aren't many better ways to use a first-round selection.
No. 2 draft target for the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 24 - Darnell Wright
Opinions vary on whether defensive end Arden Key or right tackle was the Jaguars' biggest loss in free agency. However, this isn't much of a debate when you take into account that the former was a role player while the latter made 66 consecutive starts at right tackle and is coming off his best NFL season.
While Key was an important piece of the Jags' defensive puzzle, replacing Taylor might be a bigger priority. The silver lining is that 2021 second-round pick Walker Little has been waiting in the wing for the last two years and is ready to seize the starting job at right tackle.
The former Stanford Cardinal competed with Taylor for the job last year, making things interesting before ultimately losing the battle. Little fared well when he subbed in for Cam Robinson at left tackle but it's uncertain if he'll be the starter at right tackle in 2023. If Jacksonville isn't fully sold on him, they could then draft Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright in the first round.
Wright was a mainstay on the Vols' offensive line the last four years, making 42 starts at three positions, 13 of them at right tackle in 2022. Even though the West Virginia native doesn't have elite foot quickness and needs to refine his technique in pass protection, Brandon Thorn of the Bleacher Report scouting department thinks Wright has the tools to develop into a quality NFL starter.
No. 1 draft target for the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 24 - Cam Smith
Coming off a 9-7 season and their first AFC South title since 2017, the Jaguars don't have many weaknesses and have playmakers at key positions, including Trevor Lawrence. However, the team's brass can't rest on their laurels if they want to avoid taking a step back next season. In particular, the Jags must upgrade their cornerback room.
Cornerback is without a doubt the Jaguars' most pressing need this offseason and that's been the case even before they parted ways with Shaquill Griffin, who missed several games in 2022 with a back injury and was released to free up cap space.
The Jags have a solid cornerback tandem in Darious Williams and Tyson Campbell, an ascending talent that should get even better in Year 3. However, they're missing someone who can line up in the slot. Tre Herndon, who signed a one-year deal in free agency, can step in at nickel if needed but he's better suited in a reserve role.
Ideally, Jacksonville would like to find a corner that can line up either inside or outside and Cam Smith might fit the bill. The 2021 All-SEC Second Team manned the slot at times but mostly played in the boundaries for the Gamecocks. Even though Cory Giddins of Bleacher Report projects Smith as an outside corner, he could fare well inside and could even make an impact as a rookie for the Jaguars.
Giddins says the biggest knock on Smith is his inconsistent tackling but expects him to compete for a starting job right off the bat.