The Jacksonville Jaguars got off to a strong start in the 2023 NFL Draft, taking Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison at No. 27 and picking three extra selections after trading back three spots. With the offensive line getting upgrades, the Jags must now take care of other position groups.
Fortunately, there's still plenty of talent left on the board on Day 2 of the Draft and Jacksonville should be able to add a couple of playmakers with picks 56 and 88. Also, don't rule out using the extra ammo they have to either move up in the second round or acquire an extra addition to so land some of the following prospects.
Prospect 5 the Jacksonville Jaguars must target on Day 2 of the draft: BJ Ojulari, OLB
The Jags would have surely liked to see outside linebacker Nolan Smith or Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy fall to the second round but both were taken near the end of Day 1. On the bright side, there are still several prospects available that could give their pass rush a boost. One of them is LSU outside linebacker BJ Ojulari.
At 6'3" and 244 pounds, Ojulari might need to bulk up and gain strength to consistently create pressure in the NFL. However, he's got plenty of untapped potential and tremendous upside.
Even though Ojulari needs to work on being less hesitant when rushing the passer, he possesses the speed and bend to develop into an impact outside linebacker in the pros. He could start the season behind Travon Walker and Josh Allen and see an uptick in playing time as he gets better.
Prospect 4 the Jaguars must target on Day 2 of the draft: O'Cyrus Torrence
You would have most likely gotten blank stares a few months ago if you had said that the Jaguars should use back-to-back picks early in the draft to shore up the offensive line. However, nobody would bat an eye if you suggested it now.
Picking Anton Harrison gives the Jaguars flexibility at offensive tackle. They can leave Walker Little at right tackle and plug Harrison at left tackle while Cam Robinson serves a suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. Conversely, the team's brass could move Little to the left side and see how Harrison fares as a right tackle.
Either way, the team's brass showed on Day 1 that protecting Trevor Lawrence and building around him is the top priority heading into the 2023 season, so why not keep fortifying the trenches and take offensive guard O'Cyrus Torrence in the second round?
Players sometimes slide in the draft, so it's not overly shocking to see Torrence being available in Round 2. In the weeks preceding the draft, Torrence himself said that he likes offensive line coach Phil Rauscher and his scheme, which is why feels fine going to Jacksonville.
With the Jags, Torrence would compete with incumbent Ben Bartch for the starting job at left tackle. Bartch dislocated his knee last year and missed a signficant portion of the season. He might not be fully ready for the start of training camp and is entering the last year of his rookie year.
Given all the uncertainty surrounding Bartch's availability for 2023 and his future beyond next season, it would be a good idea to select Torrence, who could be thrust into the starting lineup right off the bat and give the Jaguars one less thing to worry about.
Prospect 3 the Jaguars must target on Day 2 of the draft: Brian Branch
The Jaguars' have yet to address that seems to be their biggest needs this offseason, which is the cornerback position. More specifically, they must find nicklel to round out a group that includes cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams.
Working in the Jags' favor is that there was a run on Day 1 at other positions and most of the top cornerback prospects remain on the board. Also, Alabama defensive back Brian Branch, who isn't a conventional corner, is still available, and general manager Trent Baalke should strongly consider going after him in the second round.
Branch's biggest strenght is his versatility, having lined up at nickel, safety and even linebacker on the Crimson Tide defense. He's also adept at stopping the run, which makes him an appealing option in the second round. Even though he could at times struggle in man coverage, he excels when he drops back in zone. Given the Jaguars' inability to protect the middle of the field, the Georgia native would be a solid pickup on Day 2.
While Branch had a first-round grade and was expected to be taken in the 20s, he's still waiting to hear his name call. It's hard to tell how the first ten picks of the second round will unfold but if keeps sliding, trading up shouldn't be ruled out and defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell should pound the table for the Swiss Army Knife.
Prospect 2 the Jaguars must target in Round 2 of the draft: Cam Smith
Brian Branch isn't the only option if the Jaguars want to bolster their secondary in the second round. If they want a more traditional corner, they will have a wide array of options. Christian Gonzales, Emmanuel Forbes and Deonta Banks are off the board but many of the top cornerback prospects are still available on Day 2.
Joey Porter Jr., Kelee Ringo and Clark Phillips III all were at some point expected to go in the first rounds but due to the deep of the cornerback class, seeing that they still haven't found a team isn't particularly surprising. Heck, some of them might be even be on board in the third round.
Now, the Jags must take advantage of the surplus at cornerback and take one. While there isn't an inherently bad choice, general manager Trent Baalke should go with South Carolina's Cam Smith. The top brass is probably looking for a player that can line up inside and outside and Smith can pull it off. He saw time in the slot on the Gamecocks' defense but also played in the perimeter.
Smith is a 6'1" cornerback that has the strength to jam wide receivers at the line of scrimmage. He might be overly aggressive at times but that can be polished with the appropriate coaching. On the other hand, he's got the speed to shadow receivers and keep up with them on vertical routes.
On the off chance Smith needed time to get acclimated to the NFL, the Jaguars wouldn't have to press him into action. They could go with Tre Herndon early in the season and plug Smith in the slot once he's ready.
Prospect 1 the Jaguars must target in Round 2 of the draft: Sam LaPorta
This is a tough choice because there isn't just one player but rather a group (pride?) of tight ends still available on Day 2 of the draf. The Buffalo Bills took Dalton Kincaid with the pick they got from the Jags but he was the only tight end prospect to hear his name called in the first round.
You will hear that the Jaguars should trade up to take Michael Mayer and rightfully so. The former Notre Dame Irish has the skill set to become a dynamic difference-maker in the NFL. Similarly, Darnell Washington is outstanding blocker with massive upside as a pass-catcher and a movable chess piece. Either one could be the heir apparent to Evan Engram, who got the franchise tag and could leave next offseason.
Mayer or Washington could give the Jaguars' a 1-2 punch a tight end alongside Engram in 2023. However, the Jaguars should think about prioritize other positions early in the second round and then take a tight end. The issue with that strategy is that Mayer, Washington and even Luke Musgrave could all be taken early. On the other hand, Iowa's Sam LaPorta could still be available later in Round 2 or even in the third round.
LaPorta's gained plenty of steam in recent weeks. He's not nearly as accomplished as Meyer nor has the immense size of Washington but he routinely made plays for the Hawkeyes. In spite of Iowa's less-than-stellar quarterback situation, LaPorta managed to haul in a combined 111 receptions for 1,327 yards with four touchdowns over the last two years.
Engram will be the No. 1 tight end on the Jaguars' depth chart, which would allow LaPorta to find his footing in his rookie season and step into a bigger role next year. All things considered, he would be an intriguing pickup late in the second round or early in the third and if the Jaguars can address other needs in Round 2 and still land LaPorta, they will have come out with a great haul.