Ranking every Jacksonville Jaguars pick from the 2024 NFL Draft
• Here's a ranking of all of them based on value and need
2. Cam Little - Jaguars K
- Round 6, pick 212 - Arkansas
Kickers have a huge impact on the outcome of a football game. It's true that it takes a team effort to win but it all can come to a screeching halt if the kicker doesn't deliver. The Jaguars know this, which is why they made several attempts to bring stability to the position the past three years but came empty-handed every single time. They hope Cam Little bucks the trend.
Teams use a draft pick on a kicker when they think he's a keeper. In this case, the Jaguars drafted Little 212th overall. If they weren't high on him, they would've addressed another position with the selection, but they surely expect him to once for all put and one to their struggles at the position.
Based on his achievements at Arkansas, Little might have a shot. His career completion rate of 82.8 percent was a school record. Moreover, he's got the leg strength to routinely nail field goals of 60+ yards. In Jacksonville, he'll need to beat incumbent Riley Patterson but should have no trouble doing so.
1. Brian Thomas Jr. - Jaguars WR
- Round 1 pick 23 - LSU
The Jaguars could've traded into the top 10 to draft one of the Big 3 (Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers). They could also pursued an established veteran like Brandon Aiyuk or Tee Higgins. Instead, they chose to trade down, acquire three extra picks, and select Brian Thomas Jr., the guy they had set their sights on from the beginning.
While Thomas wasn't as rated as high as the Big 3 coming out of college, he was still projected to go in the first round, so his selection is by no means a reach. The former LSU Tiger will need to work on his route-running and cut down the number of pros but he's got the skill set to become a game-changer for the Jaguars.
Thomas is a deep threat that will give the Jaguars' passing game a new dimension. Add the fact that he'll join an offense already stacked with playmakers such as Christian Kirk and Evan Engram, and he couldn't have landed in a more favorable situation. This is to say that may not be Trevor Lawrence's top target right out of the gate but that's fine. He will have a role on offense but he'll also get the chance to hone his skill.
Not having to be WR1 right off the bat should benefical for Thomas' development.
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