Grading all 9 picks the Jaguars made in the 2024 NFL Draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars spent several months preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft. All that time and effort paid off as they came out with what appears to be a promising haul. They began the process with eight picks but finished with an extra one (and two next year) when they traded down six spots with the Minnesota Vikings in the first round.

Surprisingly, the Jags didn't make any other trades the rest of the way. Overall, the Jags' 2024 class looks promising, but how does each pick stack up individually? Here's a grade for each one of them.

Brian Thomas Jr., WR - Round 1, pick 23

The Jaguars needed help at wide receiver. They could've traded up to get one of the top 3 in the draft but instead chose to move back six spots and take the best one available. That's how Jacksonville ended with Brian Thomas Jr.

Even though Thomas was in the second tier of receivers, he was also projected to go into the first round, so it's hard to say that he was a reach. During four years at LSU, the Louisiana native hauled in 127 receptions for 1,897 yards with 24 touchdowns. His best season came in 2023, when he tallied 68 catches for 1,177 yards and averaged 17.3 yards per reception.

You could argue that the front office should've been more aggressive in their effort to trade up, but they got great value in Thomas. It's true that his route-running must improve, and he needs to do a better job of creating separation. That said, he's a deep threat who can add an element of speed to the offense.

Add the fact that the Jags managed to get three extra selections — one in 2024 and two next year — and it looks like Jacksonville got plenty of bang for the buck.

Grade: A

Maason Smith, DT - Round 2, pick 48

The Jaguars got a bit of a blank stare when they drafted Maason Smith. Mostly because cornerback was the biggest need at the time, and it was a bit odd to see them address another position. However, a closer look shows that they made the right call when they went with the former LSU Tiger.

It took Smith a bit of time to hit his stride, but once he did, he became a game-changer. Last season, he ranked seventh in the SEC with 23 total pressures. While he only logged 2.5 sacks, he's shown pass-rush potential.

At 6'5" and 306 pounds, Smith will most likely start the season behind Arik Armstead and DaVon Hamilton on depth. That will give him ample time to work on his craft, but once he does, he should become a key cog in the defensive line rotation. Based on his upside, it won't be shocking if he joins the starting lineup late in 2024 or next year.

Grade: B

Jarrian Jones, CB - Round 3, pick 96

Fans were getting fidgety because the Jaguars passed on several chances to take a cornerback in Rounds 1 and 2. They finally took one, Jarrian Jones, near the end of the third round. In their defense, general manager Trent Baalke said that they wanted to trade up but weren't able to find a partner. Still, the Jones pick got plenty of praise.

Jones played both ways in high school and fully focused on defense once he began his college career. His background as a receiver, though, is a plus, as he excels at tracking the football in the air. The former Florida State Seminole can line up inside or outside but he's a much better nickel at this stage of his career. Last season, he gave up only 16 receptions and none went for touchdowns.

While head coach Doug Pederson expects Jones to start his career in the slot, Baalke points out that he's got the size to play anywhere. If he does end up starting in the boundaries in 2025, the selection will look much better. For the time being, it looks solid.

Grade: B-

Javon Foster, OT - Round 4, pick 114

Offensive tackle wasn't a pressing need for the Jaguars but that shouldn't stop them from adding depth on Day 3. The front office used their first of two fourth-round picks in Mizzou offensive tackle Javon Foster. All things considered, this was a good, albeit unspectacular selection.

Foster, a three-year starter for the Tigers, has mostly lined up at left tackle, but head coach Doug Pederson told the media that he envisions him playing on either side. Barring a sudden development, the Michigan native will enter training camp at the bottom of the depth chart. There, he'll be able to work on his footwork and hand usage.

Barring any sudden changes, Foster won't probably get much playing time as a rookie but he should be the team's swing tackle next year. Having said that, if he really impresses the coaching staff, he could vie for a starting job. Cam Robinson and Walker Little are set to become free agents in 2025. At worst, Foster will provide insurance at offensive tackle.

Grade: C+

Jordan Jefferson, DT - Round 4, pick 116

This was arguably the Jaguars first and most puzzling selection of the draft. They had already selected Maason Smith in the second round and they weren't particularly thin at defensive tackle. That said, Jordan Jefferson comes with a few intriguing tools.

Jefferson began his college career at West Virginia but transferred to LSU in 2022. Right off the bat, he showed playmaking potential, ranking second in tackles even though he was 10th in defensive snaps. He needs to work on maintaining a low stance. Similarly, he must develop a repertoire of pass-rush moves but the talent is there.

Overall, the biggest downside of drafting Jefferson is that the Jaguars could have a logjam at the bottom of the defensive tackle depth chart. Jefferson will be competing with fellow rookie Maason Smith and sophomore Tyler Lacy. Conversely, there's no such thing as too much talent, so it won't hurt to have a surplus of depth.

Grade: C

Deantre Prince, CB - Round 5, pick 153

The Jaguars didn't want to waste the chance to add depth to their cornerback group, taking Deantre Prince in the fifth round. Prince, a three-year starter at Ole Miss, is an intriguing developmental prospect.

At 6'0" and 185 pounds, Prince's got the size to line up inside or outside. The coaching staff may want to settle him at one position but he may end up playing in boundaries or the slot.

Prince is a feisty competitor but he needs to do a better job of recognizing routes. He must also polish his tackling technique, as he showed a penchant for missing tackles. The Missouri native will need to show out in training camp to make the team, but the same can be said about most players drafted in the fifth round and later.

The Jaguars could've gone in several directions at No. 163 but ultimately took a wager on Prince's upside. Worst-case scenario, he'll provide depth at cornerback while contributing on special teams.

Grade: C

Keilan Robinson, RB - Round 5, pick 167

This is the extra selection the Jaguars got when they swapped pick No. 17 with the Minnesota Vikings for No. 23. While the front office had already signed return specialist Devin Duvernay in free agency, they didn't want to pass up the chance to add insurance in Keilan Robinson.

Although Robinson was listed as running back for the Longhorns, his biggest contribution came as a returner. He could have a similar role in Jacksonville. At 5'9 and 193 pounds, he doesn't have the size to have a big workload, so he'll need to crack the team as a returner.

Unless the Jags carry four running backs in the regular season, Robinson may not crack the roster. If they only go with three, he'll need to compete for a spot with D'Ernest Johnson, who can also contribute on special teams. At this point, the former Longhorn may be a coin flip to make the team.

Grade: B

Cam Little, K - Round 6, pick 212

The Jaguars have lacked stability at kicker, which is why they didn't mind using a draft pick on Arkansas' Cam Little. They let Brandon McManus walk in free agency. They tried to bring in Wil Lutz but he ended up staying with the Denver Broncos. Without many options left, the front office inked Joey Slye.

Little will compete with Slye and Riley Patterson for the kicker job. You could make the case that Patterson has the edge by virtue of having spent the 2022 season in Jacksonville. But if the Jags were sold on him, they wouldn't have brought in McManus last year or drafted Little.

Little has more leg strength than Patterson, and he's more accurate than Slye, so he should be the early favorite to seize the kicker job in 2024. If he does, the Jags may, at last, be able to check off a box.

Grade: A

Myles Cole, DE - Round 7, pick 236

With their last pick in the draft, the Jaguars took a player with plenty upside, defensive end Myles Cole. He's a raw prospect who will need to work on his technique but has the size and tools to develop into an impact contributor.

The Jaguars needed to round out their pass-rush rotations, and Cole is an intriguing piece. However, they should've targeted a more ready prospect in the early rounds. The former Texas Tech Red Raider may turn out to be a steady rotational piece but he might need a couple years to put it all together.

Cole could compete with sophomore Yasir Abdullah for a roster spot, but it's tough to envision him having significant playing time even if he does make the team.

Grade: B

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