The Jacksonville Jaguars came out of the 2024 NFL Draft with nine players. Some of the selections have gotten praise. Others raised eyebrows, but it will take at least a couple years to judge them properly
That said, some of the picks already look great based on need and value. Taking into account their potential impact in the short and long term, here's a ranking of all nine.
9. Jordan Jefferson - Jaguars DT
- Round 4, pick 116 - LSU
This pick was a pick of a surprise. Not because Jordan Jefferson is a bad player but rather because the Jaguars had already taken fellow defensive tackle Maason Smith two rounds earlier. At 6'3" and 313 pounds, Jeffersons has a few tools to work with. His get-off and power will allow him to contribute against the run at the NFL level, but he's somewhat raw a pass-rusher.
Maybe if Jefferson ends up becoming a steady piece in the defensive line rotation, the pick will look better. However, it felt unnecessary.
8. Keilan Robinson - Jaguars RB
- Round 5, pick 167 - Texas
The Jaguars got the 167th overall selection (and two picks next year) when they moved down six spots in the first round. That selection became running back Keilan Robinson who didn't get many offensive snaps at Texas last year but made the most of them. That said, Jacksonville chose him because of his ability to contribute on special teams.
At 5'7" and 190 pounds, Robinson could compete with D'Ernest Johnson for a roster spot. Like Johnson, he could get a couple carries each game and serve as a returner if needed. However, the Jaguars had already signed Devin Duvernay in free agency.
Of course, teams will always look for developmental prospects and players in later rounds, so it's hard to argue the decision to select Robinson, who could end up being a pleasant surprise. Still, the Jags could've gone several other routes but chose a player who may not contribute much if he makes the team in 2024.
7. Deantre Prince - Jaguars, CB
- Round 5, pick 153 - Ole Miss
The truth is that it's hard to argue against this pick. Cornerback was among the Jaguars' biggest needs entering the draft, so they should be commended for double-dipping at the position. At 6'0" and 185 pounds, Deantre Prince has some intriguing tools to work with.
Prince will need to work on his tackling technique and do a better job of diagnosing routes at the NFL level, but he could develop into a dependable backup. All things considered, that's what you want from a Day 3 pick, and the only reason Prince doesn't get a higher ranking is that he's not expected to have a huge impact early in his NFL career.
6. Javon Foster - Jaguars OT
- Round 4, pick 114 - Mizzou
Cam Robinson is expected to be on the roster in 2024. That means Anton Harrison is back at right tackle and Walker Little will once again be the swing tackle. However, Robinson and Little are scheduled to become free agents next year. It looks like the Jags are bracing themselves for their potential departure and have already started looking for options.
With the 114th overall pick, the Jags drafted Javon Foster. The former Mizzou Tiger has ample experience lining up at left tackle and could replace Little as the swing tackle next year. If he shows promise in 2024, he might even get a chance to compete for a starting job next season. However, he'll need to hone his footwork and his hand usage if he wants to earn consideration for much more than a backup role.
5. Myles Cole - Jaguars DE
- Round 7, pick 236 - Texas Tech
Defensive end Myles Cole is generating lots of hype despite the fact that he's a seventh-round pick. The reason is that he's got outstanding physical traits. At 6'7" and 203 pounds, the former Texas Tech Red Raider ran the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds. On top of that, his arms were the longest among pass rushers in the 2024 draft class. Put everything together and Cole gives the Jaguars a prospect with immense upside.
Myles Cole: longest arms among all edge defenders in the 2024 draft class (36.88 inches) pic.twitter.com/xaEdh0N2jS
— PFF JAX Jaguars (@PFF_Jaguars) April 27, 2024
Having said that, Cole is not much for a project right now. He'll need to improve against the run and add more moves to his pass-rush arsenal. If he does, he'll get a higher spot when this ranking is revisited. For now, he gets the fifth spot.
4. Jarrian Jones - Jaguars CB
- Round 3, pick 96 - Florida State
This pick got the Jags a lot of criticism for a couple reasons. First, they seemingly waited too long to take care of the cornerback position even though it was among their biggest needs. Second, Jarrian Jones was projected to go in the fourth or fifth round, prompting a few analysts to call him a reach. But once you dig deeper, it looks much better.
For starters, Jones is fast. His 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds was one of the best among cornerbacks at the scouting combine. Also, he can line up inside and outside, so he gives the Jaguars ample flexibility.
Head coach Doug Pederson says that he envisions Jones lining up in the slot (and playing special teams) to start the season. However, he's got the skill set to potentially challenge Tyson Campbell and Ronald Darby for a starting job. The former may not be a good fit in defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen's press-heavy scheme. The latter started only one full season in his NFL career and isn't getting any younger.
That could pave the way for Jones to seize a starting job. And if he does, it won't matter that the Jaguars took him near the end of Day 2 of the draft.
3. Maason Smith - Jaguars DT
- Round 2, pick 58 - LSU
This pick got mixed reviews. Many fans didn't like it while analysts thought the Jaguars got great value. It's easy to see why fans weren't fond of the pick, though. Cornerback was a bigger need than defensive tackle, especially after Jacksonville signed Arik Armstead in free agency. Moreover, Maason Smith dealt with injuries throughout his collegiate career, so he entered the draft with medical red flags.
However, Smith is healthy now and has immense upside. Leaving aside needs, Jacksonville got great value in the former LSU Tiger. Matt Holder of Bleacher Report goes as far as comparing him to Calais Campbell.
That will be a high bar to clear, but if Smith does become a difference-maker, will it matter that the Jags overlooked a need and instead went with the best player available?
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.