Who do mock drafts have the Jaguars taking in the 2024 NFL Draft first round?
The 2024 NFL Draft is a month away, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have some work to do.
The Jags took a step back in 2023, going 9-8 and missing the postseason after winning a playoff game the previous year. Trevor Lawrence will still control the offense, but he'll be switching out receiver Calvin Ridley for Gabe Davis (plus Jacksonville native Mac Jones will be Lawrence's backup). Josh Allen and Foye Oluokun will be back to anchor the defense, and he'll be joined by defensive tackle Arik Armstead, cornerback Ronald Darby and safety Darnell Savage.
The Jaguars have the No. 17 pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. They're still looking to improve at cornerback and wide receiver, and they'll look to add depth in the trenches. Here's a look at who NFL experts have Jacksonville taking in recent mock drafts:
The latest from mock drafts: Who are the Jacksonville Jaguars projected to pick in 2024 NFL Draft? Mock drafts weigh in
Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports: Nate Wiggins, Clemson cornerback
Stackpole released his latest mock draft March 29. "The Jaguars signed veteran Ronald Darby after releasing Darious Williams, but they need more firepower at the position. Nate Wiggins has the length, speed and press-coverage chops to give opposing WRs fits in the AFC South."
Eric Edholm, NFL.com: Terrion Arnold, Alabama cornerback
Edholm released his latest mock draft March 29. "Arnold's pro-day workout, which reportedly included a scalding three-cone time in the 6.6s, had to put NFL scouts more at ease with his projection. The Alabama cover man falls just below the ideal size benchmarks for the position, but I think he has all the goods to be a fine replacement for free-agent departure Darious Williams."
Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports: Adonai Mitchell, Texas wide receiver
McDonald and Nate Tice released their latest mock draft March 29. "The Jaguars have a big hole at wide receiver after losing Calvin Ridley in free agency. They can attempt to fill that hole with Mitchell, who has the upside to develop into a true No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL."
Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports: Terrion Arnold
McIntyre released his latest mock draft March 29. "Tyson Campbell is promising, and they are hoping Ronald Darby can help. But Arnold, the best corner in the draft, can certainly help."
Danny Kelly, The Ringer: Brian Thomas Jr., LSU wide receiver
Kelly released his latest mock draft March 28. "After losing Calvin Ridley to the Titans in free agency, the Jaguars look to fill a need with Thomas, a lid-lifting speed demon who can line up all over the formation. Thomas complements Gabe Davis, Christian Kirk, and Evan Engram well, giving Jacksonville another deep threat who can get over the top of a defense but also brings the speed and elusiveness to take a simple slant route to the house."
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports: Cooper DeJean, Iowa cornerback
Edwards released his latest mock draft March 28. "Darious Williams is gone and while the franchise did sign Ronald Darby to replace him, cornerback is still a position of need long-term. Cooper DeJean is a fluid athlete in his ability to carry routes vertically or transition across the field."
Edwards also has the Jags taking Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and USC safety Calen Bullock in rounds 2-3.
Charles Davis, NFL.com: Byron Murphy, Texas defensive tackle
Davis released his latest mock draft March 28. "The Jags have already added Arik Armstead to shore up their run defense. He will lead, teach and pair with this talented Longhorn."
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Brian Thomas Jr.
Prisco released his latest mock draft March 28. "They tried to keep Calvin Ridley, but he went to Tennessee. So now they add a speedy, big player to go with Gabe Davis, Christian Kirk and Zay Jones. They could consider corner here as well."
Matt Miller, ESPN.com: Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo cornerback
Miller released his latest mock draft March 27. "With four WRs gone and the full cornerback class available, I think general manager Trent Baalke targets the latter position here. He loves players with elite traits (such as Travon Walker), and Mitchell fits the bill there. The 6-foot, 195-pound senior ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine and benched 225 pounds 20 times. He's fast and physical, and he wins at the line of scrimmage. And his stats speak to his ball-hawking abilities; he broke up 32 passes and picked off six over the past two seasons. Pairing Mitchell with Tyson Campbell -- another corner with great traits -- forms a really good duo."
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: Terrion Arnold
Brooks released his latest mock draft March 26. "Adding a high-IQ cover corner with positional flexibility could help the Jaguars match up with the AFC South's dynamic offenses."
Mike Tannenbaum, ESPN.com: Brian Thomas Jr.
Tannenbaum released his latest mock draft March 26. "Calvin Ridley went to the Titans, and although the Jaguars added Gabe Davis to a receiver room that includes Christian Kirk and Zay Jones, they need a true No. 1 target. Thomas has the 6-3 size and 4.33 speed to be a difference-maker. He had an incredible 2023 season with 68 catches, 1,177 yards and 17 TDs. Trevor Lawrence will be ecstatic with this pick."
Ben Standig, The Athletic: Terrion Arnold
Standig released his latest mock draft March 25. "Another strong player-to-team fit. Arnold can handle work at the slot or the boundary and do either with natural cover skills. Signing free agent Ronald Darby is a quality one-year move, but Arnold is the long-term play. Jacksonville tackled offensive line holes in free agency, replaced Ridley with Gabe Davis and kept pass rusher Josh Allen on the franchise tag."
Brad Spielberger, Pro Football Focus: Terrion Arnold
Spielberger released his latest mock draft March 25. "The Jaguars cut cornerback Darious Williams ahead of free agency and added a temporary replacement in Ronald Darby, but they need another cornerstone piece alongside Tyson Campbell on the backend. Arnold very well may be the first cornerback selected this year, an elite athlete who folks at Alabama rave about, with good closing speed and tracking ability. His draft stock has been soaring all year long, and that trend may only continue."
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: Chop Robinson, Penn State edge rusher
Reuter released his four-round mock draft March 22. "Tagging Josh Allen keeps him and Travon Walker in place for 2024. Robinson takes over the departed K'Lavon Chaisson's designated pass rusher role (with Walker moving inside when necessary) and has the potential to take over for Allen in 2025 if the veteran departs in free agency."
Reuter also has the Jags taking Texas defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat, Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley, Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson and Oklahoma offensive tackle Walter Rouse in rounds 2-4.
Jeff Howe, The Athletic: Jared Verse, FSU pass rusher
The Athletic's NFL reporters released their last mock draft March 21. "Verse was the best pass rusher on the board at this spot, and he won’t be traveling far from Tallahassee to give the Jaguars some help in a key area. Verse had 18 sacks and 29 tackles for loss in 25 games at Florida State. Meanwhile, the Jaguars’ 40 sacks last season were the eighth fewest in the NFL — and that was only a slight improvement from 2022, when their 35 sacks were the seventh fewest. Josh Allen (17.5 sacks) and Travon Walker (10 sacks) were terrific last season, but they can’t do it all — not with C.J. Stroud in the division."
Will Brinson, CBS Sports: Brian Thomas Jr.
Brinson released his latest mock draft March 20. "The Jags missed out on Calvin Ridley and that could end up making receiver a priority for them in the draft."
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN.com: Terrion Arnold
Kiper released his latest mock draft March 19. "The Jaguars have been busy in free agency, adding defensive tackle Arik Armstead, center Mitch Morse, safety Darnell Savage and wideout Gabe Davis, among others. The position they haven't addressed enough? Cornerback, where they added veteran Ronald Darby but could still require reinforcements to play on the other side of Tyson Campbell. I like the fit of Arnold in Jacksonville, as he took a major step forward in 2023, developing into a shutdown corner. He picked off five passes and allowed only four receptions of 20-plus yards as the nearest defender in coverage."
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: Jared Verse
Davis released his latest mock draft March 19. He had the Jags trading the No. 17 pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the No. 20 pick.
"You can never have too many athletic, bendy pass rushers in the NFL. That's especially true if your best one (Josh Allen) is on the franchise tag while former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker is still trying to live up to that label. Verse was a first-team All-American during both of his seasons with the Seminoles, registering nine sacks in each."
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Terrion Arnold
Jeremiah released his latest mock draft on March 19. "Arnold plays much faster than he timed at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.50 40-yard dash). He can line up inside and outside for Jacksonville."
When is the NFL Draft? How can I watch?
Where: Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza, Detroit, Michigan
Round 1: 8 p.m. Thursday, April 25
Rounds 2-3: 7 p.m. Friday, April 26
Rounds 4-7: Noon Saturday, April 27
The 2024 NFL Draft will air April 25-27 on ESPN, ABC and the NFL Network. Streaming options include fuboTV, which offers a free trial for potential subscribers.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: NFL mock draft: Jaguars pick predictions for NFL Draft 2024
