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.
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.
Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 NFL Mock Draft Round 4, 121: Roschon Johnson, RB
Running back isn't a pressing need for Jacksonville with Travis Etienne firmly entrenched as the starter. Moreover, the front office brought back JaMycal Hasty on a two-year deal and inked D'Ernest Johnson, who has a strong chance to seizing the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
Although Bijan Robinson is the top running back prospect in this year's class and is projected to be a first-round pick. However, former Texas teammate Roschon Johnson is a pretty talented player in his own right. Johnson had more than 100 carries just once during his stint with the Longhorns but still managed to rack up 2,190 rushing yards.
In Jacksonville, Johnson would be part of a backfield committee again, which would ensure he stays fresh and remains effective.
Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 NFL Mock Draft Round 4, 127: Jaylon Jones, CB
In case you were wondering, the Jags trade a couple of late-round picks last year for an extra fourth in the upcoming draft. With that out of the way, the Jaguars need to add depth to their cornerback group. Tevaugh Campbell is better suited for a reserve role while Gregory Junior and Montaric Brown currently project. Moreover, Chris Claybrooks is set to become a free agent in 2024, so this is a good time to replenish the group.
Texas A&M cornerback Jaylon Jones saw his draft stock rise after an impressive outing in the Scouting Combine. Several analysts have given him a third-round grade but given how stacked the cornerback class is, there's a strong chance he'll be available when the Jags are on the clock at No. 127.
At 6'2" and 205 pounds, Jones doesn't have outstanding speed but he isn't slow either and has the ideal size to play press coverage in the NFL. His 0.37 yards allowed per coverage snaps was tied for second among cornerbacks in the Power Five last year.
Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 NFL Mock Draft Round 6, 185: Warren McClendon Jr., OT
The Jaguars couldn't keep right tackle Jawaan Taylor in free agency but Walker Little seems to be ready to step into his place. Moreover, the Jaguars signed Josh Wells in free agency, so they don't have a pressing need at either tackle spot. However, Warren McClendon Jr. would be a value pick in the sixth round.
McClendon was Georgia's starting right tackle the last three years. He hasn't allowed a sack in more than two years and didn't post a Pro Football Focus overall grade below 70.0 in any of the last three seasons.
Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 NFL Mock Draft Round 6, 202: Anthony Bradford, OL
The Jaguars' interior offensive line could also get a boost even though left guard Ben Bartch is set to return from a season ending injury and Brandon Scherff is firmly entrenched on the right. The team's brass traded for Cole Van Lanen last year and Tyler Shatley is still on the roster but Anthony Bradford could provide competition in traning camp.
Bradford didn't see the field much in his first two seasons at LSU but became their starting right guard in 2022 and went on to have a career year.
Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 NFL Mock Draft Round 6, 208: Jonathan Mingo, WR
Back in 2021, the Jaguars traded cornerback Josiah Scott to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Jameson Houston and a sixth-round selection in this year's draft. Houston is no longer in Jacksonville but the front office still has the pick, which they can use on a developmental prospect such as Ole Miss wide receiver Jonathan Mingo.
A four-star recruit out of high school, Mingo is built as a running back and consistently showed a penchant for breaking tackles at Ole Miss. Although he suffered a foot injury last season, he bounced back last year, hauling in 51 receptions for 861 yards with five touchdowns.
Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 NFL Mock Draft Round 7, 226: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB
With their last pick in the 2023 draft, the Jags take a developmental quarterback. Although they re-signed C.J. Beathard in free agency, they lost E.J. Perry to the Houston Texans, so it would be a good idea to replenish their quarterback room. UCLA's Thompson-Robinson would be an intriguing late-round prospect.
Thomson-Robinson completed 69.9 percent of his passes last year for 3,169 yards with 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He can be inconsistent and must work on his throwing mechanics. Nevertheless, he could become a solid backup passer in the pros.