The Jacksonville Jaguars have spent the last two seasons marred in disappointment. With back-to-back first overall picks in the draft, the Jaguars must improve the team around Trevor Lawrence. However, with a defense that needs help in all aspects, the team has a lot of options for whop to pick. With 12 picks in the draft, the team will have a lot of opportunities to hit on some players without a unanimous best player. The team will have a few options on how to pick. Jacksonville could go with one of the two best pass rushers or get a stud offensive lineman. Either way, the team has options. With Trent Baalke under pressure from the fans, getting the draft wrong could result in losing his job.
To help with this mock draft, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Team Mock Drafts.
Round 1, Pick 1: Evan Neal, OL, Alabama
The need to give Lawrence a little time to throw Neal could be the answer at left tackle. While he plays like Trent Williams, he could be a great player to protect Lawrence’s blindside. While Neal played his mostly right tackle, he spent the last season at left tackle. Furthermore, he looked more natural on the left side in making the transition. The 6’6″ 360 lbs frame on Neal serves him well, as he knows how to throw his weight around. With his ability to dance on the perimeter, he has the footwork and the mechanics to be a pro bowl tackle.
For more on Neal, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 2, Pick 33: David Bell, WR, Purdue
Bell might be the third-best receiver in the draft. With the ability to win over the middle or run past people on the deep ball, he is a perfect fit with Lawrence. Due to positional value, Bell will likely fall to the second round. However, that is perfect for the Jaguars. Bell is a 6’2″ receiver that possesses excellent footwork and is explosive off the line. With his ability to win in many different ways, sticking Bell immediately at the X spot would help the offense. Additionally, the team could see D.J. Chark leave during free agency, leaving a giant hole in an already depleted receiving room. Even if Chark stays, moving him over to the Y receiver role might be better for his career in the long run.
For more on Bell, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 3, Pick 65: John Metchie, WR, Alabama
With back-to-back selections, the Jaguars go with wide receivers. Metchie would have been a first-round pick before he tore his ACL. While all reports have the rehab going smoothly, he will likely fall to the third due to the injury. However, with Bell and Metchie opposite each other, they would immediately offer Lawrence help. Whenever Metchie gets fully healthy, he could step right into the lineup. With the offense needing a versatile deep threat drafting him, that could pay off. While we won’t know what he would be like a post-ACL tear. If he can get back to what he was before, it could have a massive upside for the Jaguars.
For more on Metchie, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 3, Pick 70: Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
Muma is a sideline to sideline linebacker who has a knack for making tackles. With Muma handling the run game and the flat, it would leave Myles Jack the ability to play a more prominent role in the passing game. Jack has always been better playing the pass over the run. Adding a player like Muma could lighten Jack’s load. With the Jaguars’ defense missing a true three-down MIKE, Muma is just what Todd Wash needs. With his ability to play all aspects of the position, he defines a true MIKE.
For more on Muma, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 4, Pick 104: Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
Bryant had a stellar season for the Bearcats and was a big part of what they did in the playoffs. With Bryant having the size and speed to be a boundary corner, many believe he is a No. 2 corner in the NFL. He has the physical tools to be a ball hawk corner that can man up any team’s receiver. However, Bryant is a graduated senior, and teams wonder how much more he can develop. Even if Bryant can’t develop any further, he already can step in a be an impact player as a rookie.
For more on Bryant, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 5, Pick 156: Dohnovan West, OL, Arizona State
West is a player that has played three different positions alongside the offensive line. While he mainly played center for the Sun Devils, he had a lot of reps at left and right guard. While the team could go and draft him for either position, he will get drafted as an upside player. With West probably not starting his first year, it will give the team to figure out where best to play him. However, once he gets on the field, he will be a solid player who helps keep Lawrence upright.
Round 6, Pick 178: Thomas Booker, DL, Stanford
Booker might be the most intelligent player in the draft, from doing the honor roll all four years to majoring in economics. His football knowledge is right there with the best of them. Booker isn’t a player who will lead the team in sacks, that is not his role. However, Bookers game is a dominant run stopper who, when asked, can effectively rush the passer. While Booker played defensive end in college, moving him inside could be more impactful.
Round 6, Pick 186: Jermaine Waller, CB, Virginia Tech
While he still plays a little raw, Waller has the makings of a big boundary corner. He plays the position like an angry high schooler who just broke up with his girlfriend. However, coming in at 180 pounds, he will need to add more weight to keep his level of play. Waller could get away with his physical nature playing in college, but he will need to bulk up in the NFL. However, he already has the traits to be a starter for the team. Waller’s upside is very high for a sixth-round pick. Once he gets his weight up, he can be one of the better press man corners in the league.
Round 6, Pick 195: Chris Paul, OL, Tulsa
Paul is an exciting prospect in this year’s draft. He will be 24 in his first NFL season, and he is an older player by rookie standers. While Paul had a very productive college career at Tulsa, he is a very raw prospect. However, he comes with some good building blocks to work with. At the same time, Paul tends to overset his feet and reach too early, causing him to get off balance. However, he could offer the team value as a backup if he gets the proper footwork down and the hand placement corrected. Paul won’t be a long-term starter for the Jaguars but could offer them many years as a solid backup with versatility.
Round 6, Pick 196: Obinna Eze, OT, TCU
With 31 games and 25 consecutive starts for TCU, Eze has a pedigree as a starter. One thing to mention is that he doesn’t have a lot of experience playing football. Due to a rule in Tennessee about foreign exchange students playing sports, he didn’t play football till his senior year. While that year was enough to get him to TCU, he still has a lot of work to do. Eze is the definition of a project and must be molded before contributing to the team. However, Eze could find himself having a long career as a fringe starter or valued backup.
Round 7, Pick 219: Kalon Barnes, CB, Baylor
Barnes was a track star in college and high school. He is an exceptional athlete, and his film shows it. While his skill set of a corner is decent, he makes up for his blunders with his insane speed. Barnes will need to hone his skill set to become a rotational player in the league, but he has a purpose. With his ability to cover the deep pass and not allow people to run past him on the outside. However, he will serve a role for the team in covering the speedy receiver downfield.
Round 7, Pick 196: Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, EDGE, Notre Dame
Amosa played mostly inside as a 3-tech or 1-tech during his first three years. But with the new defensive coordinator last year, he got moved to the outside. However, any team that takes him would have to decide whether he adds pounds and gets moved inside or keeps him on edge. Either way, he can play inside or outside, however, the big question is how much he plays? With his versatility to play inside and out, he offers good value as a player who can be in a rotation.
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