The Jacksonville Jaguars turned heads when they traded for Calvin Ridley in 2022. At the time, they had a pair of playmakers at the position in Zay Jones and Christian Kirk, so it was a bit surprising to see the Jags add yet another weapon to an already stacked group. Then again, they couldn't pass up the chance to acquire a player of Ridley's caliber even if it came with a caveat.
When Jacksonville made the trade, the Alabama product was serving an indefinite suspension for betting on football games. On top of that, he wasn't particularly great in 2021, the last year he played before stepping away from football, so it's somewhat understandable why the Atlanta Falcons felt comfortable moving on from him. What wasn't reported at the time and Ridley later explained is that he was playing with a broken foot.
Moreover, Ridley was going through a lot at the time of his retirement. Overwhelmed, he believed that hanging up the cleats was the best course of action. With enough time to recover physically and mentally, and if reinstated, there was a reason to think the Florida native could bounce back in Jacksonville. And he did. Right off the bat, he showed he still had the speed that helped him get over 90 catches for 1,400 yards and nine receiving touchdowns in 2020, his last healthy season.
While Ridley had a few quiet games in 2023, he also flashed the talent that made him a mainstay of the Falcons' passing game. His ability to draw defensive pass interference flags in his favor was huge for the Jaguars' offense. Also, he finished the season strong, hailing in 76 receptions for 1,016 yards with eight touchdowns.
Now, Ridley is set to become a free agent in 2024. Re-signing him should be a free agent, but if they decide him walk, they can find his replacement in the first round of the draft, which is precisely what they do in this mock.
Round 1, pick 17: Rome Odunze, wide receiver - Washington
The one thing that could prevent the Jaguars from giving Calvin Ridley an extension is that they would need to give Atlanta a second-round selection if they part ways with him. The pick will be in the third round if they let him walk. For the sake of argument, let's say they let him hit the open market. Finding him a potential replacement should then be one of their top priorities.
Luckily for the Jags, this draft will be stacked with receiving talent in the first and second rounds. Even though Marvin Harrison Jr. will be long gone by the time they're on the clock at No. 17, they'll still have plenty of enticing options, including Rome Odunze, one of three Huskies that should go in the first round. The other two are quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and offensive lineman Troy Fautanu.
At 6'3", Odunze doesn't have burner speed, and his route-running could use some work. However, he's got a massive catch radius, and his ability to get yards after the catch is second to none. A four-star recruit out of high school, he's got the size to reel in contested catches and win jump balls, something that the Jaguars' offense desperately needs. The 2022 first-team All-Pac 12 nod needs to work on his route running but receivers coach Chad Hall could help him work on that.
As noted before, Odunze lacks top speed and explosiveness, which will force him to put an emphasis on honing his skills in the NFL. Having said that, his strengths outweigh his potential flaws. Derrick Klassen of the Bleacher Report scouting department calls Odunze "a quarterback's best friend," due to his catch radius and reliable route-running.
Round 2, pick 49: Chris Braswell, edge rusher - Alabama
The Jaguars already have a Christian Braswell on their roster, a sixth-round pick in last year's draft. That shouldn't stop them from adding another Chris Braswell in 2024. Leaving silliness aside, they desperately need to bolster their pass rush rotation. Although Josh Allen had a breakout season and Travon Walker made a leap in Year 2, Jacksonville is still missing a No. 3 edge rusher. Braswell could be it.
Braswell was the seventh-ranked prospect in the whole country coming out of high school. Throughout his time at Alabama, he showed the speed and power to wreak havoc at the line scrimmage. His explosive get-off, in particular, consistently put him in a position to make plays. On top of that, he excelled against the run but also showed the ability to drop in coverage and keep up with running backs. Although he doesn't have outstanding flexibility and ideal length, he's got enough upside to thrive in the NFL.
While Braswell isn't as highly rated as Dallas Turner or Chop Robinson, he has immense upside. Keep in mind that he didn't play much at Alabama but he improved as his playing time increased. In his senior season, he posted eight sacks, 10.5 tackles for a loss, and three forced fumbles.
It's fair to think that with better coaching, he'll be able to reach his potential. The fact that he won't have a feature role in Jacksonville could help, as playing behind Allen and Walker would take plenty of pressure off his shoulders.
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.