2023 NFL Draft: 24 Names for the Jaguars To Watch at No. 24
When it comes to picking No. 24 in the NFL Draft, it is all about a team's ability to evaluate. It is in the late first-round that the best scouting departments and front offices separate themselves from the rest, especially at No. 24.
The long list of hits at No. 24 overall in the last 20-plus years alone ranges from Ed Reed to Aaron Rodgers to Chris Johnson to Dallas Clark to Dez Bryant, and even recent hits such as Cameron Jordan, D.J. Moore, Josh Jacobs, Najee Harris and Tyler Smith.
Sure, there is the occasional Bjoern Werner to muddy up the hit rate, but the No. 24 pick has traditionally been a good spot to be in.
Now, it is the Jaguars' chance to flex those same scouting muscles.
“The draft is a funny thing. We’re fortunate to be down at 24 this year, and you just play the waiting game," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"Obviously, if there’s a player ahead of us that you may want to grab, you try to make a move to grab that player, but a lot of times, when you’re in the bottom third of the draft, you just wait and sit. Maybe there’s teams that want to come up, and maybe you can gain more capital, draft capital, as you sit there at 24. A lot of options, and hopefully the player that we target is sitting at 24, and we take him."
So with this in mind, we are aiming to provide 24 names who seem like they have at least fighting odds to be the next Jaguars' first-round pick. Some names are long-shots, others are reaches if you go by the consensus board, and some are potential homeruns.
With that said, here are 24 names to watch for No. 24, separated by tiers.
Tier 1: The long-shots
Georgia DL Jalen Carter: Arguably the best talent in the draft, Jalen Carter's draft stock is a giant question mark at this point. Carter pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges of racing and reckless driving after an Athens police investigation concluded that Carter had been racing the car driven by Georgia recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy. LeCroy and Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock, the passenger of LeCroy's car, died following a crash in January. Carter understandably had a poor performance at his pro day in the wake of the tragedy and the investigation, which means the once potential top pick could go anywhere in the draft at this point.
Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.: Joey Porter Jr. is one of the 15 best players in this draft class, but that doesn't mean he is a lock to go that early. He should be off the board by No. 24 overall, but he won't be a fit for every team's coverage scheme. If he even sniffs the range the Jaguars are picking in, they should start making phone calls.
Georgia OT Broderick Jones: This offensive tackle class seems a lot like the 2020 class in the sense that there are four to five legit first-round tackles, all of whom have a case to be made as the best in the class. Maybe Broderick Jones' next-level athleticism and ability to block in space make him the first tackle off the board, but perhaps his rawness as a pass-protector pushes him down the board some, too.
Clemson EDGE Myles Murphy: If someone said before the season that Clemson defensive lineman Myles Murphy could slip to No. 24, they likely would have been looked at like they had three heads. Murphy has dealt with an injury during the draft process, however, and wasn't exactly a complete prospect to begin with. He should be gone by the time the Jaguars pick, but there is still a chance they could land the high-ceiling pass-rusher.
Tier 2: The home run picks
Tennessee OL Darnell Wright: The sell to make for Darnell Wright is easy. He is an offensive lineman with SEC experience at left and right tackle, strong tape, and a standout performance at the combine. He could play right tackle, left tackle, or even inside for the Jaguars as a rookie, effectively replacing Jawaan Taylor with a cheap, Pro Bowl-caliber talent.
Alabama DB Brian Branch: One of the best nickel prospects to come out in recent years, Brian Branch can do it all. He doesn't have the value of an outside cornerback, but he is an elite cover man and tackler and would fill the Jaguars' biggest void on the roster in a big, big way.
Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith: He is a smaller EDGE and doesn't have the long arms that Trent Baalke has normally gone for, but he is one of the best run defenders and culture guys in the entire class. His combine showed pass-rush potential that hasn't been untapped, too.
Florida IOL O'Cyrus Torrence: A true bully of a guard, O'Cyrus Torrence could immediately boost the Jaguars' offensive line. He could fortify the guard spot opposite of Brandon Scherff in the short-term and help the Jaguars improve in their short-yardage game. In the long-term, he could be the replacement for Scherff as the consistent anchor of the line.
Tier 3: The solid options
Ohio State OT Dawand Jones: A massive, hulking right tackle who is one of the biggest humans you will find on a football field. Trent Baalke loves taking players who stand out in terms of their frames, and that is exactly what Dawand Jones does.
Maryland CB Deonte Banks: One of the best athletes in this draft class, Deonte Banks has the traits of a cornerback who can play inside, while having the elite production of an outside cornerback. If the Jaguars want a long-term replacement for Darious Williams, Banks might be the top option.
Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer: The Jaguars don't have a huge need at tight end, but Michael Mayer has a skill-set that could perfectly coexist with Evan Engrams. He is a solid blocker and a top-notch receiving option, especially after the catch and in contested situations.
Georgia TE Darnell Washington: The freak athlete of this year's tight end class, there are not many Darnell Washington's that come along. Washington isn't a complete product as a pass-catcher, but he offers legit sixth offensive lineman upside as a run- and pass-blocker.
Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness: Iowa's scheme and coaching did a good job of showing all the different things Lukas Van Ness can do as a pass-rusher, winning from both a wide alignment and inside as a three-technique. He needs a lot of work to add to his tool-box as a rusher, but he has a ton of upside and is already a great run defender.
Tier 4: The interesting options
Clemson DL Bryan Bresee: While Bryan Bresee didn't have the college production many expected out of him as a top recruit, he did enough at the NFL Scouting Combine to back-up the notion that he is a high-upside pick.
Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison: Anton Harrison is a solid prospect who has a lot of good traits as a pass-blocker, but he is a left tackle-only and wouldn't offer the same immediate impact and versatility of other options. Still, you can do lot worse than a starting-quality left tackle to develop.
Georgia CB Kelee Ringo: Kelee Ringo didn't have the combine performance many expected, but he is still one of the best press corner prospects in the class and offers the size, speed and physicality to contest all types of receivers on the outside.
South Carolina CB Cam Smith: A solid performer at the combine, Cam Smith has years of experience in the SEC and offers inside/outside versatility at cornerback. There may be other options with more upside, but Smith has an incredibly high floor.
Iowa State EDGE Will McDonald IV: A smaller pass-rusher who wasn't at all deployed in college like he will be in the NFL, Will McDonald IV has terrific physical traits and length. He is an older prospect, but he is at least interesting to consider.
Tier 5: The potential reaches
Northwestern DL/EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore: A project of a defensive lineman, Adetomiwa Adebawore is an upside pick in the purest form. He can play inside or outside, but it might be best for his development if he has one position to learn early on.
Georgia Tech DL/EDGE Keion White: A former tight end, Keion White is an older prospect without a ton of sack production ... but he is also one of the best athletes in the class and has a length/strength profile similar to Travon Walker's from a year ago.
Utah TE Dalton Kincaid: Few tight ends in recent seasons have the receiving background that Dalton Kincaid has. With that said, he is an F-only tight end, is coming off back injury, and would have to share snaps with Evan Engram.
Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes: Forbes has a ton of ball production with 14 interceptions and 22 pass deflections, but he is one of the lightest first-round cornerbacks to ever even be considered in the first. He could bring play-making ability to the defense, but it would be a shot against odds.
Texas A&M DB Antonio Johnson: If the Jaguars want a hard-nosed slot who can do a little bit of everything, then Antonio Johnson makes sense. He would make the defense instantly more physical, but his lack of ball production and true coverage ability could make this a bit shortsighted in terms of value.
Michigan DL Mazi Smith: The Jaguars sent defensive line coach Brentson Buckner to Michigan's pro day to see Smith workout, so there is at least some signs of them doing their diligence. There isn't much of a need for a nose tackle on the roster as it stands today, even one who has pass-rush upside like Smith. Still, Smith never did test like he was always rumored to, so he is not exactly a slam dunk in the first.
