The Jacksonville Jaguars have several roster voids to fill in the NFL Draft after seeing several key contributors walk away in free agency. While they gave their backfield a boost with Chris Rodriguez following Travis Etienne's departure, they still haven't found replacements for cornerback Greg Newsome, linebacker Devin Lloyd, and safety Andrew Wingard.
Sure, the Jags have a viable heir apparent for Lloyd in Ventrell Miller, and cornerback isn't nearly as pressing a need after re-signing Montaric Brown. Similarly, Jacksonville can overcome Dewey's departure due to the presence of Antonio Johnson and Eric Murray. Nevertheless, it would make sense to use a vast majority of their 11 selections to replenish the defense in the NFL Draft.
And if the Jaguars want to bolster the linebacker corps in Round 2, they're being offered an intriguing suggestion to start the draft with a swing.
The Jaguars select Jacob Rodriguez in Sports Ilustrated's Mock Draft
Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated did an NFL mock draft that included teams without a first-round pick. He had the Jaguars taking linebacker Jacob Rodriguez at No. 56, pointing out that he would be an ideal fit in the Jacksonville defense. Here's the skinny:
"The Jacksonville Jaguars are seemingly targeting the NFL Draft to replace Devin Lloyd at linebacker," Melo wrote. "Jacob Rodriguez would fit Anthony Campanile's defense like a glove. Rodriguez is a legitimate state stuffer, leaving Texas Tech with 315 career tackles, 13 fumbles forced, 12 pass breakups, and six interceptions."
Keep in mind that this isn't the first time Rodriguez has been mocked to the Jags. Heck, he hasn't been the only linebacker connected with them after Devin Lloyd's departure in free agency. Texas' Anthony Hill Jr. has also been brought up as a possibility at No. 56 after a Jacksonville contingent met with him at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Having said that, Hill is projected to go in the first round. And even if he slides, other teams ahead of the Jags could get him before they're on the clock.
Why the Jaguars could draft Jacob Rodriguez in Round 2
There's no doubt that the Jaguars will miss Devin Lloyd's big-play capability. Last season, the former Utah Uta was a fixture of their defense, registering five interceptions, including a pick-6 against the Kansas City Chiefs. That said, 2023 fourth-round pick Ventrell Miller will probably get the first crack at replacing him. Couple that with the fact that the Jags have more pressing roster voids to fill, and it's easy to see why they could pass on Jacob Rodriguez in Round 2.
Granted, Rodriguez has an intriguing skillset. In particular, his ability to put himself in a position to make tackles nobody else can is getting plenty of attention just before the draft. However, the interior defensive line and the pass rush are more pressing needs. But if the team's brass takes care of both via trade or in free agency, or chooses to wait until the third round to address them, Rodriguez at No. 56 makes sense.
The truth is that the Jaguars will have no shortage of paths in the second round, and Jacob Rodriguez should most definitely deserve consideration, even if they have bigger needs.