2022 Jags Wire mock: New league year edition

The first few days of free agency have passed by, and though there are still some good players who could be signed off the market, it seems the Jacksonville Jaguars may be done with making any more big-time signings. That means they have mostly turned their focus to the draft, where the team has 12 picks.

While they were probably the most aggressive team in free agency this past week, they still have a lot of needs on the roster. On offense, that includes the need for more starters on the offensive line and additional skill weapons. Then on defense, the team’s pass-rush needs bolstering, and the interior linebacker position could use another addition after the team lost a team captain at the position.

We addressed some of those needs in our first-ever 2022 Jags Wire mock of this year. And while it only covered the first three rounds, we evenly distributed the picks to give both sides of the ball two new additions.

Here are the four prospects we ended up with using Pro Football Focus’ draft simulator:

1. Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan

Mar 4, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (DL31) talks to the media during the 2022 NFL Combine. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Selecting an offensive lineman here isn’t out of the realm of possibilities, but the Jags’ actions in free agency hint at the team going with a pass-rusher first overall. That said, Aidan Hutchinson seems like he’d be a lot of team’s choice as the top edge player in the draft and top player overall in some cases.

His upside may not be on Kayvon Thibodeaux’s level, but he still has intriguing athletic traits (see above) to add to the Jags’ defense and could help the unit that only finished the season with 32 sacks. He’d also be a huge addition to pair with Josh Allen, who has been the Jags’ sack leader in two of the last three years but needs another player who can help consistently pressure quarterbacks.

33. WR, George Pickens, Georgia

Mar 16, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver George Pickens in action during Georgia Pro Day at William Porter Payne and Porter Otis Payne Indoor Athletic Facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

George Pickens’ name is a hot one after how he performed at the combine, but in all honesty, he should’ve entered this offseason as a player with early Round 2 grades, to begin with. However, he tore his ACL last year and that caused him to miss a majority of Georgia’s 2021 season. As a result, he’s had to prove that he’s 100% again.

When looking at Pickens’ 2020 tape, there are a lot of traits that jump out, and he looks like he could be a player who could thrive as an X receiver in the NFL. He has good measurables (6-foot-3, 195 pounds), can beat teams down the field, has a nose for the end zone, is physical, and is solid after the catch. These are all traits the Jags could use a bit more of within their receivers corps, and there should be some concerns for the group even after landing Christian Kirk and a few others.

65. ILB, Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma

Brian Asamoah catches a pass during the University of Oklahoma Sooners football Pro Day inside the Everest Training Center in Norman, Okla., Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
Ou Football Pro Day

The Jags made an addition at the interior linebacker position this week by signing Foyesade Oluokun in free agency, but then made a subtraction at the position by releasing Myles Jack, who eventually signed with Pittsburgh. That means they could be looking for another interior linebacker in April, as the draft offers some intriguing early-round picks at the position.

Initially, I considered trading up to get an interior linebacker with a bit more size than Asamoah (6-foot-0, 226 pounds) like Chad Muma or Troy Anderson but decided to stay put to keep both third-round selections.

As for Asamoah, he’s a player who could provide a spark for the defense and is tenacious when it comes to playing downhill and getting into the backfield. He’s also the type of player who would be an effective blitzer for coordinator Mike Caldwell, who could look to install a blitz-heavy scheme like the one he saw utilized in Tampa under Todd Bowles.

70. OG, Dylan Parham, Memphis

Feb 5, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; American squad offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer of Georgia (68) and offensive lineman Dylan Parham of Memphis (56) in the second half against the National squad during the Senior bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Dylan Parham is a prospect who has blocked for several running backs who are currently in the NFL, including Kenneth Gainwell, Antonio Gibson, and Darrell Henderson. Now, it’s his turn to enter the NFL Draft — and while some are concerned with his size, he added some weight at the combine and is now over 310 pounds. He’s a prospect who is versatile (played guard and tackle) and plays with a good base and feet through contact.

Another offensive lineman to potentially watch here could be Louisiana State’s Ed Ingram, who saw a higher level of competition than Parham in the Southeastern Conference.

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