Way-too-early Jacksonville Jaguars 2024 NFL Draft preview

The 2024 NFL Draft is April 25-27 in Detroit. Here is the first-round order, per Tankathon. 

After starting the season 8-3, it was a bit surprising that the Jacksonville Jaguars fell off as hard as they did down the stretch and missed the playoffs one season after winning the AFC South. Jacksonville still has the bones of a playoff team, but its roster clearly needs some tweaking. Here are some players the Jags could consider to help them return to playoff form.

2023 record: 9-8 | First-round pick: No. 17 | Team needs: Edge-rusher, CB, WR

Potential first-round picks: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA; Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo; Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

The Jaguars placed the franchise tag on Josh Allen, but that doesn’t completely satiate the team’s pass-rushing need. Allen accounted for nearly 44% of Jacksonville’s sacks in 2023, so it can only benefit from getting him and Travon Walker some help.

Latu logged 23.5 sacks over the last two seasons, and he was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded pass-rusher in 2023. His 62 pressures were the third-most in the country, and he ranked fourth in sacks (13) and ninth in hurries (36). As an outside linebacker, he would make the Jaguars one of the hardest teams to defend off the edge opposite Allen.

After cutting top cornerback Darious Williams, Jacksonville is in desperate need of cornerback help with Tre Herndon, Chris Claybrooks and Gregory Junior all hitting free agency. Mitchell, who was the second-highest-graded CB in 2023 by PFF, has been one of the draft’s biggest risers since the new year, and his 4.33 40-yard dash time may have bumped him into the top 15.

But if he’s still around when the Jags are on the clock, he could be the most sensible pick for them. Among CBs to play 300 or more coverage snaps in 2023, Mitchell’s 44.2 completion percentage allowed ranked in the top 15, and he was one of just 16 cornerbacks to not allow a touchdown in coverage.

Calvin Ridley is a free agent, and although the Jags likely want to bring him back in 2024, the appeal of making more money for another team might just lure him away. Should Jacksonville lose its No. 1 WR from 2023, there are plenty of solid replacements in the draft.

Thomas Jr. is a big-bodied receiver (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) who wins plenty of jump balls and could be a dangerous option in the red zone. He logged 68 receptions, 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, and he averaged 17.3 yards per reception. If Ridley bolts, Thomas Jr. would make a solid wide receiver trio with Christian Kirk and Zay Jones.