Ranking Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 draft class one year later: Who's at the top?
• Here's a ranking of all seven players one year later
No. 6 Jacksonville Jaguars pick from the 2022 NFL Draft: Chad Muma, 3rd Round, LB
Linebacker was one of the Jaguars' biggest needs last year, so nobody batted an eye see them sign Foyesade Oluokun to a three-year deal worth $49 million in free agency and later use a first round selection to take Devin Lloyd last year. What was somewhat surprising was that they double dipped and took Chad Muma in Round 3.
The pick seemed unnecessary at the time but it made sense from a value perspective. After all, Muma was one of the top linebacker prospects of the class, so the Jaguars wasted no time and turned in the card with his name when he was available in Round 3. The former Wyoming Cowboy flashed as a rookie and even started a few games in relief of Devin Lloyd. However, an ankle injury cut his season short.
With Lloyd firmly entrenched as the starter next to Foye Oluokun, Muma was mostly relegated to special teams early in the 2023 season. When Lloyd missed a couple games with a thumb injury, Muma got the nod but struggled. Although he's got time to put it all together, it's hard to see the Colorado native carving a meaningful role on the Jaguars' defense anytime soon.
No. 5 Jacksonville Jaguars pick from the 2022 NFL Draft: Gregory Junior, 6th Round, CB
Teams don't expect much from Day 3 selections. But every now and then, they find a diamond in the rough, a player that could produce if given enough time to develop. That's the case of Gregory Junior, the first NFL player ever to come out of Ouachita Baptist.
Junior only appeared in one game as a rookie but was one of the Jaguars' most improved players since the end of the 2022 season. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to get much playing time. His size and skillset make him a candidate to line up in the slot but Tre Herndon, so the coaching staff hasn't been in need of calling Junior's number.
To make matters worse, the Arkansas native landed on Injured Reserve earlier this year. Herndon's contract is set to expire next year. If he doesn't return, maybe Junior will get his chance.