Pre-Free Agency Jaguars Mock Draft: What Are the Biggest Needs?
With compensatory picks now official and free agency just a few days away, the stage is set for a whirlwind two months of movement.
For the Jacksonville Jaguars, that means nine draft picks and some cap space to improve a 9-8 roster for a rebound 2024 season. Josh Allen has been franchise-tagged, free agents like Ezra Cleveland, Daniel Thomas, and Jeremiah Ledbetter have been re-signed, and the only real question that remains is Calvin Ridley.
To show just how much things can change before and after free agency, we offer a seven-round mock. What are the biggest needs and how would we fill them?
For context's sake, I used Pro Football Focus' mock draft simulator to conduct my mock.
No. 17 (1st): Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
So, the first 16 picks here didn't break great for the Jaguars. Cornerback is the obvious top need, and four cornerbacks went off the board before the Jaguars had a chance. As did both top defensive tackles and several of the top wide receivers.
Still, the Jaguars had two appealing options to them at No. 17: Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. It was a tough call between the two, but ultimately I feel like adding a young cornerback for Ryan Nielsen's defense provided more value here considering the strength of the wide receiver position in the draft.
McKinstry has somewhat become the forgotten cornerback in this year's first-round group, but he might be one of the best fits for Nielsen and his press-heavy attack. Getting a starting cornerback with experience and upside on a rookie deal is exactly what the Jaguars need on their roster.
No. 48 (2nd): BYU OL Kingsley Suamataia
This was a weird spot. Wide receiver was the biggest need but any receiver at this stage felt like a slight reach compared to some of the other options on the board. That includes the hulking Kingsley Suamataia, who has genuine first-round traits and could provide instant depth and upside to the offensive line room.
The Jaguars don't have an immediate need at tackle with Cam Robinson, Walker Little, and Anton Harrison on the books. But Robinson and Little are going into contract years and adding a high-upside, 21-year-old tackle prospect with a five-star pedigree for a redshirt season isn't the worst long-term decision.
No. 96 (3rd, comp): UCF WR Javon Baker
How big of a need the Jaguars have at wide receiver will likely ebb and flow up until the draft. The Jaguars still have to fill out the room's depth chart even if they retain Calvin Ridley. But if they lose Ridley in free agency, there is obviously a gaping hole in the starting offense.
One would think the Jaguars would look to free agency to replace Ridley in a scenario in which he leaves. Options like Gabe Davis, Kendrick Bourne, Michael Thomas, or Josh Reynolds would all make sense to some degree.
Regardless, the Jaguars will need to add a wide receiver in the top-100. They have ignored drafting young talent to the position for too long and that should change in a stacked receiver draft.
In this scenario, I heavily considered Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round and went into the second-round looking for a receiver, but the value wasn't there at 48. Here, value meets the need and the Jaguars nab an athletic and smooth receiver in Javon Baker. Worse receiver prospects have produced as rookies in the past.
No. 113 (4th): Georgia S Tykee Smith
This is a case of a player's talent trumping the need. The Jaguars released starting safety Rayshawn Jenkins but also re-signed long-time backup and special teams ace Daniel Thomas. Plus, second-year safety Antonio Johnson is set for a bigger role in the defense.
Still, Tykee Smith is a ballhawk with a strong pedigree of experience and production and is simply the best football player on the board. He would likely fill the 2023 Antonio Johnson role as a fourth safety and core special teamer, but he could develop down the road.
No. 115 (4th): Colorado State EDGE Mohamed Kamara
An undersized but explosive and productive pass-rusher, Mohamed Kamara would be breaking a Trent Baalke trend for the second year in a row. He took a similar type of prospect in 2023 with Yasir Abdullah, the only edge rusher he has ever drafted with arms shorter than 33 inches. Kamara would be the second, but he has traits their rotation is missing.
No. 152 (5th): Illinois WR Isaiah Williams
Isaiah Williams isn't the biggest wide receiver, but the former quarterback has taken to the position quickly and produced a 1,000-yard, five-touchdown season in 2023. He is excellent at forcing missed tackles and thrives underneath, offering a replacement for Jamal Agnew on the active roster.
No. 192 (6th): Tennessee CB Kamal Hadden
It would be surprising if Kamal Hadden was actually available this late considering his production, but he would make a ton of sense for the Jaguars to add on Day 3. He could compete with the likes of Gregory Junior and Christian Braswell and Montaric Brown, while also giving the Jaguars yet another traits-filled cornerback prospect in the late rounds.
No. 212 (6th, comp): Missouri LB Ty'Ron Hopper
The Jaguars may have to replace Caleb Johnson in free-agency, so adding the rangy and speedy Ty'Ron Hopper could make a lot of sense. He excels in space and could be a core special teamer early on his career, helping replace the role Johnson has played for the last two seasons.
No. 236 (7th): Illinois DT Keith Randolph Jr.
Another player who should be picked earlier than this, Keith Randolph Jr. would give the Jaguars plenty of length and versatility at defensive tackle. They will likely look to a mix of players to replace Foley Fatukasi's snaps, and he could figure into a small rookie role like Tyler Lacy did in 2023.
