The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us. Heck, it may be taking place while you're reading this, and after months of waiting, and tons of mocks, we'll finally know what the Jacksonville Jaguars will do with pick No. 17.
Keep in mind that this isn't like 2021, when, the Jags were a lock to draft Trevor Lawrence. This time, though, they have several needs and there are several paths they could take to address them. This begs the question, which are the most likely scenarios for Jacksonville in the first round? Here are the most likely ones.
5. The Jaguars trade pick No. 17 for WR Brandon Aiyuk
This is the least likely scenario but by no means improbable. Brandon Aiyuk has become a mainstay of the San Francisco 49ers' offense. He logged a team-best 1,342 yards on 75 receptions in 2023 and earned a Second-Team All-Pro designation along the way.
Aiyuk, a first-round pick in 2020, wants a contract extension. He's set to make $14.1 million on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal but he feels he deserves a raise, one that makes him one of the top receivers in the league.
While the Niners' brass values Aiyuk, they don't seem to be in a hurry to get something done. In fact, they may be perfectly fine letting him play his contract out. That said, San Francisco has explored the possibility of trading the former Arizona Sun Devil.
Aiyuk hasn't requested a trade, according to his agent, but if the 49ers have given it a thought, that's because they may think that extending him may not be feasible.
The Jaguars inquired about Aiyuk not long after losing Calvin Ridley in free agency but San Francisco's asking price felt unreasonable (pick No. 17, and Zay Jones). Since then, the Jaguars' interest has seemingly cooled down considerably but they're still seen as a realistic landing spot for the star receiver.
Looking at possible teams for an Aiyuk trade and I keep coming back to the same two- Colts & Jags.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) April 24, 2024
Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle says that the 49ers still want a first-rounder in exchange for Aiyuk but might need to settle for a second. This means that a trade on Day 1 may not take place, but it shouldn't be ruled out just yet, especially if the Jaguars or any other clubs miss out on the top receivers of the class.
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).
2. The Jaguars could trade down and stockpile additional selections
This path hasn't been discussed nearly enough but it should. Last year, the Jags had the No. 24 pick but moved twice and ended up with the 27th overall selection. They still took the player they wanted, offensive tackle Anton Harrison, and managed to get extra selections along the way.
If the Jaguars are on the clock at No. 17 and feel they can move down and still land a player they like, they won't think twice and entertain offers. The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly looking for a potential trade-up. They want to land one of the top cornerback prospects but they may not be able to get the one they wish at No. 22. They would be the ideal partner to move down.
The Jags could then use whatever picks they get from Philly as ammo to move up in either the second or third round.
1. The Jaguars trade up for Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze
This scenario has been discussed on the days preceding the draft. The Jags met with Rome Odunze during the scouting combine but he's expected to go in the top 10. This means that Jacksonville would need to move up to acquire him. The same is true for fellow receiver Malik Nabers.
The Jags are reportedly extremely high on Nabers, and may be willing to trade up to take him. If the team's brass wants either one, they'll need to make a trade with either the Chicago Bears (pick No. 9) or the Atlanta Falcons (pick No. 8). The former has been seen as a potential trade for teams who want to trade up. The latter may be open to entertaining offers.
In fact, Benjamin Solak of The Ringer has Jacksonville doing business with the Falcons and trading up to No. 8 to select Nabers in his latest mock. In this trade, the Jags give up picks No. 17, 48, and a 2025 fourth-round pick in exchange for pick No. 8 and pick No. 109.
If the Jaguars think Nabers is the WR1 the offense is missing, they should most definitely make this trade.