The Jacksonville Jaguars are poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming draft, with a plethora of talented prospects to choose from. As the team looks to bolster its roster and make a deep playoff run, experts from around the NFL are weighing in with their predictions for the Jaguars’ draft success. In this article, we’ll examine 12+ expert predictions for the Jaguars’ draft, highlighting the players, positions, and strategies that could make all the difference.
Expert Predictions Roundup
Trevor Lawrence’s Successor?: ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. predicts that the Jaguars will select a quarterback in the first round, potentially setting up a succession plan for Trevor Lawrence. “The Jaguars have a rare opportunity to draft a top-tier quarterback and develop him behind Lawrence,” Kiper notes.
Defensive Revamp: NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah forecasts that the Jaguars will focus on rebuilding their defense, targeting top prospects at cornerback, safety, and pass rusher. “The Jaguars’ defense was a liability last season, and they need to address those issues to compete in the AFC South,” Jeremiah says.
Wide Receiver Uprising: Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer predicts that the Jaguars will select a wide receiver in the first round, potentially pairing him with Lawrence to create a dynamic offense. “The Jaguars need to surround Lawrence with more talent, and a top receiver would be a great addition,” Breer notes.
Tight End Transformation: CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco forecasts that the Jaguars will target a tight end in the second round, seeking to create a more balanced offense. “The Jaguars’ tight end position has been a weakness for years, and they need to address it to become a more formidable offense,” Prisco says.
Linebacker Overhaul: Fox Sports’ Jason La Canfora predicts that the Jaguars will draft a linebacker in the first round, aiming to shore up their defensive weaknesses. “The Jaguars’ linebacker corps was a mess last season, and they need to bring in some fresh talent to compete,” La Canfora notes.
Secondary Boost: Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson forecasts that the Jaguars will select a safety or cornerback in the first round, seeking to improve their pass defense. “The Jaguars’ secondary was exposed last season, and they need to bring in some top talent to fix those issues,” Robinson says.
Running Back Reinforcements: The Athletic’s Dianna Russini predicts that the Jaguars will draft a running back in the second round, aiming to create a more potent rushing attack. “The Jaguars’ running game was inconsistent last season, and they need to bring in some fresh talent to support Lawrence,” Russini notes.
Left Tackle Luxury: Pro Football Focus’s Mike Renner forecasts that the Jaguars will select a left tackle in the first round, seeking to protect Lawrence’s blind side. “The Jaguars’ left tackle position has been a concern for years, and they need to address it to keep Lawrence safe,” Renner says.
Interior Lineup: NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein predicts that the Jaguars will target an interior lineman in the second round, aiming to bolster their running game and pass protection. “The Jaguars’ interior line was a weakness last season, and they need to bring in some talent to fix those issues,” Zierlein notes.
Pass Rush Priority: ESPN’s Todd McShay forecasts that the Jaguars will select a pass rusher in the first round, seeking to create a more formidable defensive line. “The Jaguars’ pass rush was anemic last season, and they need to bring in some talent to pressure opposing quarterbacks,” McShay says.
Special Teams Splash: CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson predicts that the Jaguars will draft a special teams contributor in the third round, aiming to improve their kicking game and return units. “The Jaguars’ special teams were a liability last season, and they need to bring in some talent to fix those issues,” Wilson notes.
Wildcard Pick: Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr forecasts that the Jaguars will select a defensive tackle in the first round, seeking to create a more dominant defensive line. “The Jaguars’ defensive tackle position has been a weakness for years, and they need to address it to become a more formidable defense,” Orr says.
Additional Expert Insights
- Draft Strategy: The Jaguars are expected to be aggressive in the draft, potentially trading up to secure top talent. “The Jaguars have the capital to make a move and secure a top prospect,” says NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
- Positional Needs: The Jaguars have several positional needs, including quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, linebacker, and defensive back. “The Jaguars need to address their defensive weaknesses and surround Lawrence with more talent,” says ESPN’s Matt Miller.
- Sleepers and Steals: The Jaguars may target sleepers and steals in the later rounds, seeking to uncover hidden gems. “The Jaguars have a history of finding talent in the later rounds, and they may do so again this year,” says CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso.
Conclusion
The Jaguars’ draft success will depend on several factors, including their ability to address positional needs, secure top talent, and make strategic moves. With a plethora of expert predictions and insights, it’s clear that the Jaguars have a rare opportunity to bolster their roster and make a deep playoff run. As the draft approaches, fans will be eagerly awaiting the team’s selections, hoping that they will make the right moves to bring a championship to Jacksonville.
What are the Jaguars' top positional needs in the draft?
+The Jaguars have several positional needs, including quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, linebacker, and defensive back. They will likely target these positions in the draft to bolster their roster.
Who are some potential draft targets for the Jaguars?
+The Jaguars may target top prospects such as quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive backs. Some potential targets include [insert names of top prospects].
What is the Jaguars' draft strategy?
+The Jaguars are expected to be aggressive in the draft, potentially trading up to secure top talent. They will also look to address their positional needs and secure sleepers and steals in the later rounds.
By examining the expert predictions and insights, it’s clear that the Jaguars have a rare opportunity to make a significant impact in the draft. With a strategic approach and a focus on addressing positional needs, the Jaguars can set themselves up for success in the upcoming season.
