The Jacksonville Jaguars tried to make the splash hire last year at head coach with Urban Meyer. Predictably, it blew up in their face. Now, after a disappointing season with #1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence, the Jags are trying to bring order back to the circus. The 3-14 season has resulted in once again having the first overall selection and the hiring of former Super Bowl winning head coach, Doug Pederson.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are currently slated to make twelve picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. With holes up and down the roster, all 12 have a realistic shot to make the team.
Using the Mock Draft simulator at from NFL Mock Draft Database, I went the through the entire draft and selected the players that I believe can help the Jags get back on track. For this simulation, I used the consensus big board accumulated by NFL MDD, with the realistic draft mode setting.
Let’s see how it plays out.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: 7-ROUND MOCK DRAFT
1-1: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
This is going to be the biggest debate leading up to the draft. Do the Jags take a left tackle to protect Lawrence? If so, which one? Or do they take one of the edge rushers like Kayvon Thibodeaux or Aiden Hutchinson? My current grades on Evan Neal, Charles Cross (Mississippi State), Ikem Ekwonu (NC State) are all very close. It will really depend on who they feel best fits their scheme. For right now, I believe Evan Neal is the guy for the job.
I would also like to see what the trade market looks like for the top pick. With no quarterback a team would be desperate to have will the market be there to move up?
2-33: Travis Jones, DL, UConn
Fresh off a monster performance at the Senior Bowl, Travis Jones is flying up draft boards. The Jacksonville Jaguars has a couple of younger players they like in the middle but Jones can wreck worlds. I toyed with the idea of adding another WR here, but I think we can get one later.
3-65: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
Watson is another name that will likely go higher than this after a lights out performance in Mobile. He is a true height/weight/speed prospect. The 6’4” 210-pound pass catcher is likely to run sub 4.4 at the combine next month. He is a precise route runner with great hands. Pairing him with DJ Chark will give Trevor Lawrence a pair of speedy targets to throw to.
3-70: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
With a pick acquired from Carolina for CB CJ Henderson, the Jags look to add to their pass rush. They already have a god young edge defender with Josh Allen. Now, they add an athletic freak with the former Golden Gopher, Boye Mafe. Mafe had two sacks during the Senior Bowl game, showing a great first step and finishing speed. He is expected to have a 40+ inch vertical jump at the Combine.
4-104: Alec Lindstrom, C, Boston College
Lindstrom was one of the best prospects at the Shrine Bowl. He is a veteran center for BC but he could easily play are there interior positions. Watching Lindstrom and his teammate Zion Johnson act as figurative bouncers this season was fun to watch. The Jacksonville Jaguars would be getting a starter in the fourth round with this pick.
THE REST OF THE DRAFT
5-156: Reggie Roberson Jr, WR, SMU
5-178: Joshua Williams, CB, Fayetteville State
6-186: Tycen Anderson, S, Toledo
6-195: Marquan McCall, DL, Kentucky
6-196: Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State
7-219: Armani Rogers, TE, Ohio
7-232: Matt Waletzko, OT, North Dakota