5 most likely scenarios for the Jaguars in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft

4. The Jaguars stay up at No. 17 and take the best player available

This may be the most unappealing option of the bunch but it's the safest one and arguably the best one. Why? Because the Jaguars should have a fair share of options at No. 17, even if some of the top prospects are off the board by then.

There will be a run for quarterbacks early on. As many as five could go in the top 5 based on the demand. The Jags are set at the position, so they shouldn't worry about it. The top three receivers could also be gone by pick No. 7. If that's the case, it won't make sense to trade up into the top 10. On the other hand, clubs could start picking cornerbacks after pick No. 8, but if they don't, Jacksonville could end up with the top prospect on their big board.

General manager Trent Baalke said that if the Jaguars have a chance to either take the best player available or address a need, they'll go with the latter, as long as it's close.

"Most of the time, there isn't that big a separation between the need and another position, right? When in doubt, you're going to take the need if it's close," Baalke said during the team's pre-draft media availability session. "If there's a great distance between the two, you've got to weigh that out. Usually what we've done in the past is stick with the formula to take the best player available. Now again, if it's close, we're going to take the higher need."

This is to say that the Jaguars could play it safe and go either cornerback or wide receiver — their two biggest needs — in the first round. But if they find value, they won't hesitate to go on a different route. At No. 17, they should have ample options.

3. The Jaguars trade up to No. 12 or 13 and take a corner

The Jaguars will be in a position to take a quality player at No. 17 but if there's a cornerback they really like and he's still available at Nos. 12 or 13, they may feel tempted to trade up. General manager Trent Baalke didn't rule out the possibility during the pre-draft exchange with the media.

"We can't control what happens in front of us. Whatever happens, happens. The only thing we can control is be calculated on. If we really target someone and we really feel we need to make a run. Let's say get up to 12, get up to 13, we'll be prepared to do that if the right persons there," Baalke said.

The Denver Broncos currently hold the No. 12 pick. They are currently experiencing a cap crunch and lack a second-round pick. They could be the ideal partner to move up if a cornerback the Jags like is still on the board (Terrion Arnold, Quinyon Mitchell).