NFL Draft countdown: Focus on Jaguars' first-round pick at No. 17
The 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching. In 2023, the Patriots selected DB Christian Gonzalez 17th overall. Jacksonville has the 17th pick this year. Here’s who experts think they'll take.
Pro Football Focus (Brad Spielberger): Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Originally recruited as a safety, Arnold switched to cornerback at Alabama but was benched in favor of Eli Ricks as a freshman. Ricks joined the Eagles as an undrafted free agent last year but Arnold could have the last laugh as a first-round pick.
“I got benched and I’ve been telling all the NFL teams that right there, it changed everything for me. I kind of like to say I had my Michael Jordan moment," Arnold told reporters at the scouting combine, including ESPN's Stephen Holder.
Arnold posted 63 tackles with five interceptions the following season, earning him first-team All-SEC and All-American honors in 2023. Spielberger tabs the six-foot, 196-pound defensive back as a perfect complement to cornerback Tyson Campbell, the team’s second-round pick in 2021.
NFL.com (Maurice Jones-Drew): Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Arnold’s Alabama teammate had 93 tackles, two sacks and a pair of interceptions as a three-year starter and earned first-team All-American honors in 2023. Unfortunately, doctors discovered a Jones fracture in his foot at the NFL Scouting Combine which limited his participation.
But the 6-foot-1,195-pound cornerback was still able to run a 4.47 at Alabama’s pro day before having his foot surgically repaired. McKinstry recently met with Jaguars ownership, and with Darius Williams returning to the Rams the Alabama product could be an immediate starter for the Jaguars.
Fox Sports (Rob Rang ): Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Rang dares to be different in choosing a non-Alabama cornerback for the Jags, although if Mitchell played for a school like Alabama, his draft stock could be much higher. There’s still a chance he goes sooner, but he would certainly help the league’s 26th-ranked secondary if available.
In five years with Toledo, Mitchell had 123 tackles (93 solo), 45 passes defended and six interceptions. Five interceptions and 19 of his pass deflections came during an outstanding 2022 season that earned him First-Team All-MAC honors.
Mitchell was clearly the best cornerback at this year’s Senior Bowl and his performance at the combine earned top marks at his position. If available Mitchell would be the ideal plug-and-play option for Jacksonville.
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