Jaguars 2023 Mock Draft: The defense gets reinforcements in top 2 rounds

The Jacksonville Jaguars were one of the hottest teams near the end of the 2022 season and there are reasons to believe they can be much better in 2023. For starters, Trevor Lawrence should continue to make strides and the addition of Calvin Ridley should help. Similarly, head coach Doug Pederson built a winning culture in Jacksonville and it's hard to envision the team getting complacent after making the playoffs last year, so expect them to pick up where they left off.

For the Jaguars to increase their chances of returning to the postseason and winning the AFC South for the second year in a row, they'll need to make upgrades to the roster in the 2023 NFL Draft, which is precisely what they do in this seven-round mock.

Jacksonville Jaguars mock 2023 NFL Mock Draft Round 1, 24: Myles Murphy

The Jaguars would have liked to keep defensive end Arden Key in free agency but they wouldn't have been able to do it without their ability to lock up players in the future. But as important as Key was for Jacksonville last year, he was a role player and the team's brass should be able to find an adequate replacement in the draft.

One prospect to keep an eye on in Round 1 is Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy. At 6'5" and 275 pounds, the Georgia native can drop in coverage but is at his best when he plays with his hand on the ground.

Murphy can beat offensive linemen with his power and use his bend to win around the corner. Although he needs to refine his recognition skills and work on better hand usage, he could come in and contribute for the Jags right off the bat.