Jacksonville Jaguars 2024 mock draft roundup (4/22)

The NFL Draft is upon us and many think a cornerback is in the Jaguars’ future in the first round.

The draft is finally here.

With only days to go until the Jacksonville Jaguars are officially on the clock, it seems to be almost certain the team will go with a corner at 17. After speaking with the media, general manager Trent Baalke and coach Doug Pederson essentially confirmed this point, but the team still has to finalize who it wants.

That guy could still be any number of top-tier players. Happy drafting.

NFL.com

In Chad Reuter’s mock, he has the Jags staying put at 17 and taking Alabama corner Terrion Arnold. His reasoning is quite simple. In the second round, Reuter thinks the Jags go with FSU defensive lineman Braden Fiske.

Arnold’s a tough-minded corner who played multiple spots in the Alabama secondary. With Darious Williams no longer in Jacksonville, Arnold should win a job outside and move into the slot when matchups require.

NFL.com

This is another NFL.com mock, but features a trade down. Dan Parr has the Jags trading down back to 25 to take the Green Bay Packers’ spot. The team starts by trading 17 away to the Washington Commanders. The pick is for Iowa corner Cooper DeJean.

After trading down in a deal with the Commanders that netted them picks 36 and 40, the Jaguars use one of the picks acquired in that deal (No. 40) and their original second-rounder (No. 48) to get the corner they need in DeJean. So, despite moving back, Jacksonville still has a chance to land a playmaking DB and another potential starter before the first 40 picks are made. As for the Packers, they can control the board on Day 2 with four second-round picks (Nos. 40, 41, 48 and 58) and two third-rounders (Nos. 88 and 91).

CBS Sports

Josh Edwards puts together a full seven-round mock, but the first round pick is always the most important. Edwards throws a bit of a curveball with his selection, still thinking the Jags might go with a receiver. He mocks LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to Duval.

Jacksonville can find a few cornerbacks to throw into the equation later in the draft but Brian Thomas Jr. gives the Jaguars that X potential that they will now be missing with the departure of Calvin Ridley.

ESPN

Mel Kiper and Field Yates also still hold the feeling the Jags may go receiver in round one. They also mock Thomas Jr. to the team to fill Calvin Ridley’s role.

There’s a wide range on where Thomas could go off the board — he might even fall to the end of Round 1 — but he would be a great fit as a Calvin Ridley replacement in Jacksonville. Trevor Lawrence’s completion rate on go balls would rise.

Fox Sports

David Helman and Carmen Vitali combine for this mock, and make it three in a row for Thomas Jr. Maybe drafting a corner isn’t a lock after all.

This is a no-brainer. The Jags need a receiver to fill the Calvin Ridley void and BTJ is unquestionably the next-best receiver after the Big 3. Thomas Jr. is no consolation prize, either. The way he is able to adjust to the ball and contort his body to make the catch (especially away from defenders) would be a welcomed addition to any team.

Pro Football Focus

In Nathan Jahnke’s recent mock, he has the Jags moving up to 14 to get a corner. The corner is DeJean. The Jags move up because they are in competition with the Indianapolis Colts to grab a solid DB.

First projected trade: Broncos receive Pick No. 14 and a 2025 third-round pick; Saints receive Pick No. 12 and a 2025 fourth-round pick. Second projected trade: Jaguars receive Pick No. 14; Broncos receive Pick Nos. 17, 116

The middle part of the draft will be interesting, as no cornerbacks have been picked and multiple teams picking in this range could use a new cornerback. Ideally, a team wanting their pick among the cornerbacks would trade up directly above the Colts. That would be difficult with the Raiders and Saints general managers, but it works in this case with the Broncos willing to trade back twice. The Jaguars and Trent Baalke aren’t afraid to trade up or back, and the team needs a more long-term replacement to Darious Williams than a 30-year-old Ronald Darby.

The 33rd Team

Speaking of corners, Marcus Mosher mocks a corner to Duval, but has the team staying at 17. The pick is for Toledo corner Quinyon Mitchell, the second corner off the board.

The Jacksonville Jaguars could go in several different ways with this pick, but they select the best player on the board. Quinyon Mitchell has a chance to be the first defensive player off the board, especially after a fantastic pre-draft process. He would be a Day 1 starter for the Jaguars, giving them even more playmakers in their secondary.

The Draft Network

Ryan Fowler has the Jags staying put as well, and going with an Alabama corner. The pick is for Kool-Aid McKinstry, who should fit defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s scheme immediately.

Adding Ronald Darby shouldn’t sway GM Trent Baalke from taking a potential shutdown athlete on the outside. Kool-Aid McKinstry is a high-level man/zone defender with the footwork, hips, and athletic profile to mirror a loaded division of wideouts. Keep an eye on DT here as well.

NBC Sports

In Connor Rogers’ mock, he has the Jags taking a corner at 17. With the Colts scooping DeJean at 15, the Jags go with Mitchell two picks later.

The size, speed and length of a cornerback duo of Mitchell and Tyson Campbell is what defensive coordinators pray for. He’s passed every test of this draft process with flying colors.

The Athletic

This is an interesting one. Dane Brugler projects a trade, but has the Jags making it with the Buffalo Bills. In this instance, the Bills trade picks 28, 133, 144 and a second-rounder in 2025 for the 17th pick to select Thomas Jr. The Jags in turn go with McKinstry at the backend of the first round.

In this scenario, the Jaguars are able to move down in the first round and still address the cornerback position with a strong option. McKinstry might not have elite speed, but he’s confident, controlled and smart, which will get him on the field as a rookie.

Big Cat Country

Our very own Gus Logue details who the Jags might grab at 17 based on how he thinks the board will play out. The player Baalke ends up going with is Arnold.

In summary, Arnold is the best first round fit for Jacksonville. He can press opposing receivers at the line of scrimmage and play right away out of the slot, two attributes that will excite Jaguars brass. They’ll also appreciate his competitiveness, which shows up in his ball production and run support, as well as his awareness, communication, and leadership.