The Jacksonville Jaguars made several splash signings in free agency last offseason but they've taken a methodical approach this year. This makes perfect sense when you take into account that they don't have much cap space. On top of that, they can address most of their roster holes in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Even though cornerback is arguably the Jags' biggest need right now, there are other position groups that could use a boost. The team's brass managed to keep Evan Engram but he's set to play the 2023 season under the franchise tag and is poised to hit the open market next season. Chris Manhertz land Dan Arnold left in free agency, so Jacksonville needs to revamp their tight end room.
Similarly, the Jaguars could use another edge defender. Arden Key crossed enemy lines and signed with the Tennessee Titans, so it would be a good idea to bolster their pass rush rotation. On the other hand, the team's decision-makers also need to fill the void left by right tackle Jawaan Taylor's departure. They do precisely that in this three-round 2023 NFL Draft.
Jacksonville Jaguars 1st Round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Darnell Wright, OT
The Jags could easily plug in 2021 second-round pick Walker Little at right tackle but Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright might be too good to pass up at No. 24. Even though cornerback might be a bigger need than right tackle, general manager Trent Baalke will go with the best player available and landing a starting offensive lineman in the first round makes more sense than picking a slot cornerback.
Working in Wright's favor is that he mostly lined up at right tackle at Tennessee, which could help him get acclimated to the pros rather quickly. Although he needs to work on his technique, he has the physical tools to become a mainstay of the Jaguars' offensive line for years to come.
Jacksonville Jaguars 2nd Round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Deonte Banks, CB
The consensus seems to agree that cornerback is the Jaguars' biggest need this offseason even though they had a pair of solid starters in Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams. On top of that, they brought back veteran Tre Herndon, who can play nickel or in the boundaries.
Having said that, the Jaguars need to round out their cornerback group. Herndon is solid but not the long-term answer in the slot. Similarly, Tevaughn Campbell, Chris Claybrooks, Gregory Junior, and Montaric Brown are currently nothing more than depth pieces. This is why general manager Trent Baalke has to find a difference-maker at the position in the draft. Fortunately for the Jags, this year's cornerback class is deep, so they should be able to find a good one in the second or third round.
Cam Smith of South Carolina would be great due to his ability to play inside and outside. Texas A&M defensive back Antonio Johnson would also be an enticing option. However, they're projected to be drafted late in the first round or early in Day 2, so they'll most likely be gone by the time the Jags choose at No. 56. On the other hand, Deonte Banks of Maryland should still be available.
Banks mostly played in the perimeter in college and needs to work on calibrating his aggressiveness at when jamming wide receivers at the line of scrimmage. However, he possesses rare lateral ability for a corner his size ( 6"2' and 205 pounds), which makes him an intriguing pickup in the second round.
Jacksonville Jaguars 3rd Round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Laporta, TE
The Jaguars wanted to get a long-term deal done with Evan Engram but they were could agree to one before free agency, so they used the franchise tag to keep him. Whether Engram remains beyond 2023, the front office needs to revamp their tight end room.
Besides the former Ole Miss Rebel, Luke Farrell, a fifth-round pick in the 2021 draft, is the only other tight end on the Jags' roster under contract, and expecting him to have a huge role after playing sparingly the last two years might be too much to ask. Jacksonville could bring back Dan Arnold who became a free agent but remains unsigned. However, Arnold didn't get much playing last year and was phased out in favor of Chris Manhertz, who mainly saw playing time as an in-line blocker.
There aren't currently many appealing options in the open market, so the Jaguars will mostly likely replenish their tight end room in the draft. Just like cornerback, this is a deep tight end class and general manager Trent Baalke could wait until the third round to address the position.
At No. 88, Dalton Kincaid, Luke Musgrave, Michael Mayer, and Darnell Washington will be gone. However, Sam Laporta of Iowa, on the other hand, should still be available. Despite the fact that Laporta doesn't have the same recognition as some of his fellow prospects, he might be the most well-rounded of the bunch.
A multi-sport athlete in high school, Laporta has solid hands and is the kind of player that will grind tough yards after the catch. Furthermore, he's a good blocker and runs sound routes. Joe Marino wrote for The Draft Network that the former Iowa Hawkeye doesn't profile as "a size/speed mismatch in the passing game". Yet, he thinks he can develop into an NFL start, which is why he would be a value pick in the third round.