2023 NFL Draft: Jaguars Host USC CB Mekhi Blackmon For a Top-30 Visit

The Jags bring in another defensive back for a pre-draft visit.

The Jacksonville Jaguars continue to do their due diligence in the pool of young secondary talent.

According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the Jaguars visited today with standout Mekhi Blackmon, a potential Day 2 selection.

USC @uscfb cornerback Mekhi Blackmon is visiting the #Jaguars today, per a league source, after previously visiting #Vikings. Potential Day 2 pick excelled @seniorbowl @JimNagy_SB

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 18, 2023

The 24-year-old defensive back played five seasons at the collegiate level between Colorado and USC, finishing his career with 142 total tackles, 24 defended passes, five interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.

The 2022 season at USC saw a massive leap in Blackmon’s impact, earning First Team All-Pac-12 honors and recording 67 total tackles and three of his five career interceptions.

At the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, Blackmon recorded a 4.47 40-yard dash, 1.54-second ten-yard split, 36-inch vertical, and a 10-foot-5-inch broad jump. For a corner that is 5-foot-11 and 178 pounds, that level of athleticism jumps off the charts.

NFL.com Lance Zierlien called the 24-year-old an aggressive man cover corner with a physical style of play that will match well with NFL-caliber wide receivers but noted that these tendencies can also cause troubles on the penalty front.

“Aggressive man-cover cornerback whose physical play brings both passes defensed and penalties,” Zierlein wrote in his draft analysis. “Blackmon gives receivers a rough ride over the first five yards, but his extended grabbing will be less tolerated by NFL officials. He’s capable of phasing routes when matching from press, but he doesn’t have the hips to transition smoothly when playing off-man coverage. He’s talented at squeezing the catch space and timing his challenges, but Blackmon’s lack of size and fluidity could limit his pro chances.”

With the Jaguars in desperate need of positional depth opposite emerging star Tyson Campbell and veteran corner Darious Williams, expect Blackmon to garner serious consideration in the mid-rounds of next week’s NFL Draft.