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Jacksonville Jaguars rookies who can make an immediate impact after 2024 NFL Draft

juston lewis, jacksonville florida times-union
·2 min read

The 2024 NFL Draft is officially finished and the Jacksonville Jaguars have added a few premium players to their roster.

Through their nine selections, several of those players can have immediate impacts on the roster. There'll be an adjustment period for the players but a few will have an immediate impact.

Especially first round selection Brian Thomas Jr., who adds a different dimension to the wide receiver room.

Let's take a look at the full class.

Jaguars depth chart projection for 2024 NFL draft picks

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. #11 of the LSU Tigers catches a pass for a touchdown in front of cornerback Deantre Prince #7 of the Mississippi Rebels during the first half of play at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. #11 of the LSU Tigers catches a pass for a touchdown in front of cornerback Deantre Prince #7 of the Mississippi Rebels during the first half of play at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

Where Jacksonville Jaguars rookies from the 2024 NFL draft project on the Jaguars' depth chart:

  • WR Brian Thomas Jr. (Round 1, 23rd overall): Day 1 starter.

  • DL Maason Smith (Round 2, 48th): Potential starter on defensive line.

  • DB Jarrian Jones (Round 3, 96th): Starting nickelback.

  • OT Javon Foster (Round 4, 114th) Depth swing tackle. Also capable of playing guard.

  • DL Jordan Jefferson (Round 4, 116th) Depth defensive lineman. Behind veteran players

  • CB Deantre Prince (Round 5, 153rd) Possible starter depending on his camp.

  • RB Keilan Robinson (Round 5, 167th) Reserve returner/Practice squad running back

  • K Cam Little (Round 6, 212) Potential starting kicker

  • DL Myles Cole (Round 7, 236) Potential practice squad/developmental

Brian Thomas Jr. rookie projections

Wide Receiver Brian Thomas Jr. 11 makes a catch as the LSU Tigers take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. Mandatory Credit: SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY NETWORK. Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022.
Wide Receiver Brian Thomas Jr. 11 makes a catch as the LSU Tigers take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. Mandatory Credit: SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY NETWORK. Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022.

This is an immediate impact player if we've ever seen one. He brings speed and big play ability to the Jaguars which will be a first for Trevor Lawrence's NFL career.

Thomas led the nation in touchdown catches last season and will pair nicely alongside Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis and Evan Engram.

Maason Smith rookie projections

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Maason Smith #DL24 of the LSU Tigers speaks to the media during the 2024 NFL Draft Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Maason Smith #DL24 of the LSU Tigers speaks to the media during the 2024 NFL Draft Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Maason Smith described his journey to the Jaguars as "uncommon favor" and seemed eager to get in the building to start learning.

He was projected as a first-round pick prior to suffering an ACL injury in 2022. He'll be able to slot in with Arik Armstead, Roy Robertson-Harris and DeVon Hamilton along the defensive line. Plus, working with Ryan Nielsen will help get the most out of him.

Jarrian Jones rookie projections

Nov 18, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Azareye'h Thomas (20) and defensive back Jarrian Jones (7) celebrate an interception against the North Alabama Lions during the third quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Azareye'h Thomas (20) and defensive back Jarrian Jones (7) celebrate an interception against the North Alabama Lions during the third quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports

This pick was a bit high, but he's an upgrade at the nickel position already. The team views him as a versatile defender with the ability to play outside and in.

With offenses getting faster, a player with his skillset is valued. Depending on how his camp goes he could be a starter from day one.

Deantre Prince rookie projections

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 12: Defensive back Deantre Prince #24 of the Mississippi Rebels breaks up a pass attended for wide receiver Jalen Knox #9 of the Missouri Tigers in the second quarter at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 12: Defensive back Deantre Prince #24 of the Mississippi Rebels breaks up a pass attended for wide receiver Jalen Knox #9 of the Missouri Tigers in the second quarter at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

There's going to be potential for Prince to slot into the rotation early in his career. The Jaguars are thin at the position and he depending on how the next several months unfold he could play his way into starting.

Cam Little rookie projections

Sep 3, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks kicker Cam Little (29) kicks an extra point in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks kicker Cam Little (29) kicks an extra point in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

There's going to be a kicking competition but odds are that Little is the starter by this fall. He is the most accurate player in Arkansas' program history and has several game winners under his belt.

Juston Lewis is a Jacksonville Jaguars beat reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on the website formerly known as Twitter at @JustonLewis_.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Which rookies could have an immediate impact on the Jaguars?