5 potential steals the Jaguars must target on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft
• The Jaguars need to include the next 5 prospects on their big board for 2024.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will enter the 2024 NFL Draft with lots of pressure. While they managed to bolster multiple position groups in free agency, they'll need to keep hoarding talent if they want to have a shot at dethroning the Houston Texans next season. In theory, that shouldn't be an issue. The trouble is that the Jaguars have had a hard time finding talent beyond the first round.
If Jacksonville wants to put together a well-rounded roster in 2024, they'll have to buck the trend. Targeting these five players on Day 3 should help.
5. Zak Zinter, offensive guard
The Jaguars brought back both starting guards from last year, so they won't have to use a draft pick on the position early on. That said, it would be a good idea to add depth to the interior offensive line and start looking for Brandon Scherff's potential heir apparent.
Scherff is entering the last year of the $49 million deal he signed in 2022. The Jags could've released him and freed up $9 million in space but instead chose to restructure his contract to keep him around for another year. Having him back in the fold would allow the coaching staff to groom his replacement. Zak Zinter may be a worthy candidate.
Zinter, an unanimous All-America selection last season, was a four-year starter for the Wolverines. He broke his tibia and fibula near the end of 2023 and has spent the offseason rehabbing. Before he got hurt, he looked like a potential first-round selection but he'll probably slide to Day 3.
The First-Team All-Big 10 selection was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine but didn't partake in drills. More recently, he told teams at Michigan's Pro Day that he's no longer in pain and should be ready for training camp. That's great news but one advantage of going to the Jaguars is that he wouldn't need to contribute right away.
Instead, Zinter could get back at full strength and work on his craft behind Scherff and Ezra Cleveland. He could then have a shot at earning a starting job in 2025.