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

Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 NFL Mock Draft Round 2, 56: Tre'vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB

After fortifying their front seven in Round 1, the Jags can turn their focus to their defensive backfield. Even though they have a pair of talented cornerbacks in Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams, they need to someone who can line up in the slot. Although Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson mostly played on the perimeter at TCU, he has the tools to make the transition to nickel.

At 5'9", Hodges-Tomlinson could struggle to cover bigger receivers but he has the speed and the quickness to keep up with them when running routes. The Texas native racked up 14 penalties last year in an effort to overcompensate for his size but due to the presence of Campbell and Williams, he could line up in the slot, where he would be his most effective.

Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 NFL Mock Draft Round 3, 88: Sam LaPorta, TE

The Jaguars' offense doesn't need as many upgrades as their defense but that doesn't mean they should outright neglect the group. One position that could use an infusion of depth is tight. Even though the team's brass managed to retain Evan Engram with the franchise tag, they let Dan Arnold and Chris Manhertz left in free agency.

Currently, Engram and Luke Farrell are the only tight ends under contract on the roster and the latter hasn't done enough to prove he's more than a reserve player at this point of his career. Fortunately for the Jaguars, this year's crop of tight ends is pretty deep so they could still find a quality one in the third round. That's precisely why they pick Iowa's Sam LaPorta in this mock.

Even though LaPorta isn't a dynamic pass-catcher and needs to become a better in-line blocker, he could develop into a potential starter down the road, which is why he would be a great pick-up at No. 88.