Coming off a win the week prior, the Jacksonville Jaguars appeared to have a realistic chance to beat the Indianapolis Colts in the season finale. Unfortunately, they lost in overtime and will now turn into offseason mode. On the bright side, the Jags got a favorable position in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jacksonville entered Week 18 with the fifth overall selection in the 2025 draft. Following the loss to Indy, they'll officially get to keep it. The Tennesse Titans got the first overall selection with a loss to the Houston Texans. The New England Patriots originally had the top selection but moved down to No. 4 with a win over the Buffalo Bills.
The Cleveland Browns got the second overall selection while the New York Giants will be picking at No. 3. With that in mind, here's how the top 10 in the first round of this year's draft looks.
Updated look of the top 10 in the 2025 NFL Draft after the Jaguars loss to the Colts
- Tennessee Titans
- Cleveland Browns
- New York Giants
- New England Patriots
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New York Jets
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Carolina Panthers
- New Orleans Saints
- Chicago Bears
What are the biggest needs for the Jaguars in the 2025 offseason?
The Jaguars don't have to worry about the quarterback position after giving Trevor Lawrence a multi-year extension last offseason. They also have a pair of bookend pass rushers in Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen and a lockdown cornerback in Tyson Campbell. Moreover, Jacksonville hit it out of the ballpark in the 2024 draft with stud wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. That said, the team's brass will have to fill a handful of roster holes.
The front office will need to beef up the interior defensive line. The Jags have a pair of intriguing youngsters in Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson, but that shouldn't stop them from making further upgrades to the trenches. The Jags must also find a corner opposite Campbell. Veteran Ronald Darby got benched late in 2024 and Montaric Brown is better suited for a backup role.
On offense, adding another starting receiver would come in handy. Gabe Davis was a free-agency disappointment while Christian Kirk will most likely be a cap casualty. On top of that, Jacksonville will need to find a replacement for right guard Brandon Scherff, who's set to become a free agent.
What position should the Jaguars address at No. 5 in the 2025 NFL Draft?
All things considered, the Jaguars will have several options with the fifth overall selection. If two-way star Travis Hunter is still available, he would fill a need at either wide receiver or cornerback, depending on which position he ultimately decides to play.
If Hunter is gone, but the Jags still want to take a receiver, Tetairoa McMillan will be an intriguing alternative. If they'd rather go defense, they could either roll with cornerback Will Johnson or defensive tackle Maason Smith. Then again, Jacksonville could also trade down and acquire extra picks if they get an offer from a team that wants to target a specific player.
Either way, the Jacksonville Jaguars should feel good about their position in the 2025 NFL Draft, even if it came at the expense of a loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the finale.