Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jaguars Make Draft-Day Trade In Latest Mock Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Drew Crabtree | Last updated Apr 18, 2025 1:22 PM ET

With the 2025 NFL Draft right around the corner, the plethora of mock draft machines are getting worked to the proverbial bone. Only six days away, a consensus has formed for what the Jacksonville Jaguars will/should do with their first-round pick: Mason Graham, defensive tackle from Michigan.

Graham looks like a slam-dunk of a pick and will instantly make an impact for any defensive line that is lucky enough to add him. According to NFLMockDraftDatabase, nearly 52% of all catalogued mock drafts have Graham headed to Jacksonville.

However, there are a few floating around that go against the grain. Perhaps most surprising to this point is PFF's/NBC's Cris Collinsworth's latest mock draft. Instead of staying pat, the Jaguars trade back five spots with the Chicago Bears and end up with another defensive tackle. This time, it's Ole Miss's Walter Nolen.

Just shared my first round mock draft!

Make your own with the PFF Mock Draft Simulator, then post it using #MyPFFMock25 by April 24 for a shot at a free year of PFF+ and PFF gear

Make your picks: https://t.co/ofPjsBy2y2 pic.twitter.com/YyxLF4OnjI
— Cris Collinsworth (@CollinsworthPFF) April 18, 2025

While he did not specify what the Bears gave up to go get Ashton Jeanty, DraftTek's trade calculator would suggest it would likely cost the Bears' second second-round pick (41st overall).

Would this be the right move for the Jaguars? Stockpiling draft capital can be a great strategy if those picks hit. Buying as many lottery tickets as possible gives the Jaguars more opportunities to hit.

Nolen is a great prospect. Taking him at 10th overall could be considered a reach, however. Of the last 35 mock drafts on NFLMockDraftDatabase, only five drafts have him selected in the top 15, and only one with Nolen in the top 10.

While the Cincinnati Bengals are a popular landing spot for the defensive tackle, the consensus on the site is that he will fall to 30 to the Buffalo Bills.

Athlon Sports' resident NFL Draft expert Luke Easterling believes Nolen speaks highly of his ceiling:

"Nolen’s talent is off the charts, which gives him limitless upside at the next level. He’s got some boom-or-bust to his projection because of the refinement that’s still required if he wants to reach that lofty ceiling, but any NFL team that’s confident in their defensive coaching staff will want to get his raw ability in the building and figure out the rest later. His physical traits alone are worth first-round consideration."

Passing on Graham would be hard to swallow unless both Nolen and that netted pick(s) end up as stars. Should the Jaguars consider a trade back?

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: