Jaguars find a replacement for Calvin Ridley in this 3-round 2024 NFL Mock Draft
• He's set to hit the open market in 2024
• If they let him walk, they can draft his replacement in Round 1
Round 3, undisclosed: Zak Zinter, offensive guard - Michigan
The Jaguars should most definitely re-sign Calvin Ridley. Having him back in the fold would build continuity on offense. Also, another year of catching passes from Trevor Lawrence would improve the chemistry between the two. That said, letting him walk comes with its own set of advantages.
For starters, they will only need to part ways with a third-round pick, and that wouldn't be that much of a loss when you take into account that they're expected to get an extra compensational third after losing Jawaan Taylor to the Kansas City Chiefs last year. The second one is that they can allocate the savings to Josh Allen's new contract and also make upgrades to the offensive trenches.
In particular, the interior offensive line could use a boost. The center position is currently the Jaguars' weakest link but both guard spots could also use help, especially if Brandon Scherff becomes a cap casualty. But even if the Jaguars can add a couple of players in free agency, which would be ideal, they should also add depth in the middle of the draft. Zak Zinter would be an intriguing option in the third round.
A three-year starter at Michigan, Zinter broke his fibula late in the season. While suffering that kind of injury is never good news, his recovery is projected to have a three-month timeline. Even if he's not 100 percent for the draft, which is feasible, he'll have ample time to recover before the regular season begins. Granted, the injury might've hurt his stock a bit, but he's a low-risk, high-reward prospect worth taking a flyer on.
Zinter wasn't known as a technician in college but he's got the speed and power to play at a high level. He'll need to work on not dropping his head when playing and his stance needs refining. However, he's got the tools to develop into a starter for years to come. That should incentivize the Jaguars to add him to their draft board.
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