The Jacksonville Jaguars seemed destined for the second overall pick in the draft until the New York Jets won against Jalen Ramsey‘s Los Angeles Rams. With that, the Jaguars received the top pick in the draft. They were able to hire Urban Meyer and a completely new coaching staff, which was a factor for some of the free agents who signed with Jacksonville. The team had four notable free-agent signings in Shaquill Griffin, Marvin Jones Jr., Rayshawn Jenkins, and Roy Robertson-Harris. The free agents may not be elite talents who take over the game but will be long-term contributors who will make a difference this year and next year. With the top end of free agency coming to a close, the focus turns towards the NFL Draft, where the Jaguars have four picks in the top 50 selections.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Team Mock Drafts.
To help with this mock draft, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator.
Round 1, Pick 1: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Urban Meyer spoke to Peter King about how Jacksonville is in the direction to draft Trevor Lawrence. The question that fans should ask is: what type of offense will the team run? Lawrence has excelled in a vertical system and would be well served to have a system that supports him his first year. With vertical weapons – DJ Chark and Marvin Jones (and Philip Dorsett!), and an underneath threat in Laviska Shenault, the offense could be the prototype for a vertical downfield scheme.
You can see his Scouting Report here.
Round 1, Pick 25: Alex Leatherwood, Tackle, Alabama
There were a number of tackles available with this selection including Teven Jenkins, Jalen Mayfield, and Dillon Radunz. However, the deciding factor is traits and some positional versatility. Leatherwood could fight with AJ Cann for the right guard spot in year one while developing his balance and vertical pass sets. Leatherwood offers long-term upside and could be the answer if Cam Robinson doesn’t perform this year.
Round 2, Pick 33: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
Rousseau has first-round tools but did not play in 2020. Rousseau was an interesting case study in 2019, as he won more against guards than he did tackles – perhaps due to inexperience. However, after watching half a decade of Jadeveon Clowney play a versatile rushing linebacker position, Rousseau could line up and do the same thing. Imagine a pairing of Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson on the outside, with Roy Roberts-Harris and Rousseau on the interior, that is lots of dynamic pressure.
Round 2, Pick 45: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
The Jaguars could use another weapon. They need someone who has sure hands and could line up in the slot, as Shenault, Jones, and Chark have historically lined up outside. Moore is a jitterbug with the ball in his hands and someone who has the speed to threaten the defense vertically. Drafting Moore with Lawrence will allow the two to develop chemistry together and could make them a long-term pairing.
For more on Moore, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 3, Pick 65: Hamsah Nasirildeen, Safety, Florida State
Trevon Moehrig-Woodard was the target at 25, however, he was drafted at 19, and has increasingly crept up in national media mocks making it fair to wonder if the Jaguars will even have a shot at him. It could work out, as a free agent signing Rayshawn Jenkins played free safety for the Chargers in 2019 before moving to more of a box safety role this year. If Jenkins stays at free safety, Nasirildeen could be a significant piece to the Jaguars defense as a box safety. Nasirildeen has range in zone coverage, but the question is if he can keep up with tight ends and receivers in man coverage as he wasn’t quick on tape.
Round 4, Pick 106: Kenny Yeboah, TE, Ole Miss
Yeboah could develop into a capable tight end who becomes a full-time starter. His athletic profile mixed with the high-pointing ball skills makes him jump off the screen. During the senior bowl, he made his catching ability known with a few outstanding catches during practice and the game. He only had 27 catches for 524 yards and 6 touchdowns but could be utilized more in the NFL than he was in college.
For more on Yeboah, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 4, Pick 130: Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
Wilson is a serviceable depth piece who can be a dominant run stuffer. Wilson’s drawbacks are the athletic measurables, and the fact he lacks strength for being so big (330 lbs). However, he has notable burst, a relentless motor, and is someone who doesn’t give up on a play. He has the potential to be a meaningful contributor in Cullen’s defense.
Round 5 Pick 145: Josh Imatorbhebhe, WR, Illinois
Imatorbhebhe could very well end up being the biggest steal in the draft. He had a historical pro day where he would have broken combine records had there been a combine. While he is already a pro-caliber athlete, Imatorbhebhe was under-utilized and misused in the Illinois offense. The potential to become a complete reviver, capable of being a chain-mover is there. The only current barrier is the route running, and with his athletic ability, he should be able to master any route tree quickly.
For more on Imatorbhebhe, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 5, Pick 171: Patrick Johnson, EDGE, Tulane
Getting depth is important at the 3-4 outside linebacker position. Johnson is 255 lbs and could provide depth behind K’Lavon Chaisson and Josh Allen. The first thing that stands out is the power and coordination in his hands. His hand usage allows him to get control of his direction and get around/through tackles quicker.
Round 7, Pick 214: Larry Rountree III, RB, Missouri
Rountree isn’t a speed back but someone who can relieve James Robinson after he gets 20 carries. In his 2020 season, Rountree showed effective production with 972 yards on 209 carries, 4.7 average per carry, and a total of 14 touchdowns. He finds the endzone when given the opportunity and is a physical player who will continuously fall forward.
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