The Jaguars’ biggest needs entering the NFL Draft

With free agency now settling and the NFL Draft approaching in less than a month, it is pertinent to shift focus towards the areas of need that the Jacksonville Jaguars may be looking to address during the final weekend of April. Presented below are the top five positions, ranked in ascending order of priority.

Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Line: Assessing Offseason Changes and Future Needs.

Pederson repeats line from late last season on how O-line “didn’t have much continuity” in 2023, adds Robinson, Cleveland, Fortner, Scherff and Harrison played only one game together.

— Eugene Frenette (@GeneFrenette) February 27, 2024

A few weeks ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive line appeared to require significant attention. However, the team has proactively addressed two positions on the line this offseason. They first signed former Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse to a two-year deal and then extended left guard Ezra Cleveland’s stay in Jacksonville. With these signings, the team now boasts a starting offensive line consisting of Cam Robinson, Cleveland, Morse, Brandon Scherff, and Anton Harrison, with Walker Little and Luke Fortner providing depth and experience as backups.

On paper, this starting lineup looks impressive. However, the 2023 season showed that significant changes along the offensive line can be expected. Head coach Doug Pederson admitted at the Annual Owner’s Meeting last week that his preferred starting five only played together once all season. Additionally, Little will reach the end of his rookie deal next year, and Robinson’s contract also expires after this season. Therefore, General Manager Trent Baalke would be wise to consider adding depth to this group on the third day of the draft.

Assessing the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Josh Allen Situation and Draft Prospects.

Is Josh Allen and Travon Walker the most underrated duo in the #NFL ?

Josh Allen

• 17.5 sacks
• 2 FF / 1 FR
• 1 INT

Travon Walker

• 10 Sacks
• 1 FR pic.twitter.com/BxK7nT5emk

— Dris🐆 (@savemetlaw) March 28, 2024

The prospect of Josh Allen playing on the franchise tag this season is concerning. Many Jacksonville Jaguars fans believe that General Manager Trent Baalke missed an opportunity by not securing him to a long-term deal. Aside from the lack of security for both parties, this situation could lead to resentment and increase the likelihood of Jacksonville’s star player leaving next year. In a league where the salary cap increases annually, being frugal in the short term may not be the best strategy. However, the current situation is what it is.

Allen has shown steady improvement each year, especially when paired with Travon Walker, and 2024 could be their best season yet. Looking ahead, there are questions about whether Yasir Abdullah or the recently acquired Trevis Gipson can step up as starters. It would be preferable not to have to rely on them, and if the front office can find a hidden gem in the mid-rounds of the draft, it would be greatly appreciated. There are rumors that the team has invited Western Michigan’s Marshawn Kneeland for one of their 30 draft visits. In an ideal scenario, Allen signs a long-term deal, and Baalke discovers a talented player in the second day of the draft.

Strengthening the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Line: Assessing the Impact of Arik Armstead’s Addition.

The addition of Arik Armstead has significantly bolstered the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive line, a need that was likely at the top of the list before his arrival. The San Francisco 49ers’ decision to part ways with Armstead was a fortunate opportunity for the Jaguars, especially given General Manager Trent Baalke’s relationship with Armstead, which played a role in convincing him to join the team. Armstead’s presence has also alleviated some pressure on Baalke following his misstep with Calvin Ridley, a situation that will be discussed later. Overall, the defensive line is now in a much healthier position than it was just two weeks ago.

Armstead is known for his versatility in different defensive schemes, making him a valuable asset for the Jaguars. Assuming new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen sticks with the 3-4 scheme, Armstead is likely to fill one of the end positions. With some departures in other areas of the defensive line, DaVon Hamilton is expected to play nose tackle, while Roy Robertson-Harris will likely occupy the other end spot. Robertson-Harris started every game in 2023, while Hamilton had only two starts and appeared in just eight games all season. While finding value at defensive tackle in later rounds of the draft can be challenging, it may be necessary to address other areas of need first before adding depth to the defensive line as a whole.

In Arik Armstead’s 12 playoff games for the #Niners, the #Jaguars newly signed DT has collected 8 sacks, in addition to his 44 pressures.

Coming up BIG in the biggest moments.
pic.twitter.com/E0PlXHuxbt

— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) March 30, 2024

Addressing the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Receiver Needs: Draft Strategies and Potential Targets.

It’s unfortunate to find ourselves in a situation where there’s a glaring position of need that should never have existed. How does a general manager make so many significant mistakes across two different teams and still remain in their role? Questions arise about what leverage Trent Baalke has over Shad Khan to maintain his position. The focus should be on the chain of events that led to Calvin Ridley hitting the open market, rather than the decision not to match the Tennessee Titans’ contract offer. Ironically, the Jaguars may benefit from Ridley’s departure, as he fell short of expectations last year despite reaching 1,000 receiving yards. The upcoming draft, rich in receiving talent, offers the opportunity to find a young, talented pass catcher. However, any success in this area would be more attributed to luck than to Baalke’s management skills.

The current trio of Christian Kirk, Gabriel Davis, and Zay Jones could benefit from the addition of a bigger-bodied possession receiver to complement their speed. Should the Jaguars target LSU’s Brian Thomas early in the draft, or wait until the second round for FSU’s Keon Coleman? With a deep pool of talent at the receiver position, the Jaguars have the flexibility to enhance their receiving corps and provide Trevor Lawrence with a strong supporting cast to aid in their playoff ambitions.

WR Calvin Ridley: "I really wanted to be with" Jaguars but Titans had "that other side for me"https://t.co/vynFru2nhQ pic.twitter.com/0Mnv2QAkLn

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 17, 2024

Assessing the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Cornerback Situation and Draft Strategy.

Darious Williams’ departure from the Jacksonville Jaguars, often seen as a cap casualty, may also have been influenced by the arrival of a new defensive coordinator. Ryan Nielsen has a history of favoring an aggressive, press-man coverage scheme, which typically requires taller, longer, and more physical cornerbacks. Despite his impressive performance in 2023, Williams, who is undersized, excels more in zone coverage and playing the ball rather than the man, as evidenced by his four interceptions last year. While Ronald Darby may better fit Nielsen’s scheme at a discounted price, the ten-year veteran is not a long-term solution.

The Jaguars’ potential pursuit of a cornerback in the first round of the draft hinges on the availability of top prospects like Terrion Arnold or Quinyon Mitchell at the 17th pick. If these standout cornerbacks are selected earlier, General Manager Trent Baalke may opt to select his preferred wide receiver on the first day and strategize to secure a player like Nate Wiggins on the second day. Regardless, it is crucial for the Jaguars to leave the draft with a future starting cornerback capable of effectively covering one side of the field.

Darious Williams gets his 4th interception of the year. His four interceptions leads the #Jaguars.
pic.twitter.com/ALSyVoNJmW

— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) December 10, 2023