The Jacksonville Jaguars clinched the top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by virtue of going 3-14 the season before. Having drafted Trevor Lawrence first overall in 2021, there were many candidates to be the top pick last year. Would the Jags take Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson? How about an intriguing offensive line prospect such as Ikem Ekwonu?
In the end, Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker got the nod and was drafted first overall. But he wasn't the only player the Jaguars selected. They originally had 12 picks but after a series of trades, they ended with seven. Here are the grades for each one of them.
Regrading Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 NFL Draft: CB Montaric Brown, Round 7
Although teams routinely find hidden gems late in the draft, they don't go into the draft expecting to find a Hall-of-Fame player in the seventh round. At that point of the process, clubs look for developmental projects and potential special teams contributors.
With their last pick in last year's draft , the Jaguars took Arkansas cornerback Montaric Brown. Looking back, his selection was a bit surprising when you take into account that the team's brass had just chosen another cornerback, Gregory Junior, with their previous pick.
Brown appeared in eight games with one start and registered six tackles. He logged 63 defensive snaps and 36 on special teams. All things considered, those are solid numbers for a seventh-round selection.
Grade: B
Regrading Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 NFL Draft: CB Gregory Junior, Round 6
Late-round picks have a steep hill to climb to make a team's 53-man roster, which is why nobody batted an eye when Gregory was waived before the start of the season. He was later signed to the Jaguars' practice squad, where he spent most of his rookie campaign.
Junior only suited up for one game last year and will probably be on the roster bubble throughout training camp unless he makes a huge leap.
Grade: C-
Regrading Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 NFL Draft: RB Snoop Conner, Round 5
Running back Snoop Conner could develop into a fine NFL player. But as of right now, it doesn't look like the Jaguars are high on him. After all, they've consistently looked for outside help to bolster their running back room.
Even though Conner made the original 53-man roster, the front office claimed JaMycal Hasty off waivers and was a healthy scratch early in the 2022 season. It wasn't until James Robinson was traded to New York that Conner got playing time, and even them, he only managed to get 12 carries.
Things don't particularly great for the Ole Miss Rebel ahead of the 2023 season, as the Jags signed D'Ernest Johnson in free agency. Unless Connor shows out in the summer, his days in Jacksonville might be numbered.
Grade: D
Regrading Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 NFL Draft: LB Chad Muma, Round 3
The Jaguars raised eyebrows last year when they used a third-round pick on Chad Muma despite the fact that they already had taken another linebacker, Devin Lloyd in the first round. At the time, it seemed like an unnecessary pick but it looks like the team's brass simply went with the best player available on their board.
Muma went on to have a solid training camp but Lloyd was named the Week 1 starter next to Foyesade Oluokun. However, Lloyd would eventually struggle, which paved the way for Muma to join the starting lineup. The former Wyoming Cowboy says that the game slowed down considerably and that was reflected on his on-field performance.
Even though Muma suffered an ankle injury that forced him to miss a game, he flashed potential as a rookie. If the Jaguars want to put the best players on the field, they might give the Colorado native the chance to compete with Lloyd for the starting job in 2023.
Grade: B
Regrading Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 NFL Draft: Luke C Fortner, Round 3
The Jags needed to find a long-term replacement for center Brandon Linder, so they invested a third-round selection in Luke Fortner. Although the former Kentucky Wildcat didn't get much playing time with the ones in training camp, he was the Week 1 starter and didn't miss a single offensive snap.
Like any other rookie, Fortner experienced a learning curve and had a few rough outings. However, he should get better in his sophomore campaign and become a mainstay of the Jaguars' offensive line for years to come.
Grade: B+
Regrading Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 NFL Draft: LB Devin Lloyd, Round 1
Ideally, you want your first-round pick to see the field as soon as possible and contribute. In Devin Lloyd's case, he missed a good chunk of training camp with a hamstring injury but still managed to find himself in the starting lineup in Week 1.
Lloyd got off to a hot start, registering six passes defensed and two interceptions in his first three NFL games. He had such an impact that he was an early candidate to win Defensive Rookie of the Year Honors. However, he quickly cooled down and hit the proverbial rookie wall. Looking back, missing valuable reps in training camp might have had an impact after all.
Although Lloyd eventually returned to the starting lineup, it was because Muma got hurt, and it's fair to wonder if he can enter the 2023 season as a starter. The silver lining is that Lloyd has the tools to become an impact starter in the league. Otherwise, the Jaguars wouldn't have traded back into the first round to take him. Having said that, Lloyd has plenty to prove. Beating Muma for the starting job in training camp would be a good start.
Grade: C+
Regrading Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 NFL Draft: OLB Travon Walker, Round 1
The Jaguars' brass knew outside linebacker Travon Walker wasn't going to put up eye-popping numbers in his rookie campaign because he was making the transition to outside linebacker full-time after rarely rushing the quarterback from a standup position in college. Yet, it was a bit odd to see them pick the former Bulldog over the "more NFL ready" Aidan Hutchinson.
In the end, Walker flashed as a rookie and became more consistent as the season progressed. The Georgia native finished the year with 3.5 sacks, 24 total tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble. Moreover, he grew more comfortable in his new position.
But the Jaguars can no longer expect flashes from Walker. They need him to show growth in 2023, which isn't unreasonable when you consider that most edge rushers show significant improvement in their second season.
If Walker can become the player the Jaguars expected when they chose him first overall, the 12th-ranked defense from last year should get a huge boost.
Grade: C