Jaguars News (4/15): Tim Jones, Gregory Junior, Cole Van Lanen return

Your one-stop shop for Jacksonville Jaguars news, opinion, and analysis.

Good morning!

Here is today’s roundup of the latest news, rumors, and analysis on your Jacksonville Jaguars.

Local chatter

The Jaguars overpaid Josh Allen (and that’s okay!) (Big Cat Country)

It’s admirable that the Jaguars retained some of its homegrown talent, which is now a growing trend following 2023 extensions for Cam Robinson and DaVon Hamilton. And it’s vital to show a locker room that good players are rewarded. That said, the front office had to pay full value to keep a star player in town for the long haul, despite having the chance to extend Allen last offseason.

Jaguars podcast: Josh Allen deal, Stefon Diggs trade, NFL Draft preview (Big Cat Country)

John and I caught up on recent news since we last recorded in late March. We broke down Josh Allen’s contract extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Stefon Diggs’ trade to the division rival Houston Texans, and our favorite prospects in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.

Jacksonville Jaguars 2024 mock draft roundup (4/15) (Big Cat Country)

This week, a handful of writers think the Jags might get antsy with their current pick and move a few places up in the draft to pick up a huge name.

Tom Gamble rejoins Jaguars front office (Big Cat Country)

The Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly adding another mind to the front office braintrust. Per NFL insider, Adam Schefter, former University of Michigan Director of Player Personnel Tom Gamble will be rejoining the Jaguars front office before the coming NFL Draft.

Tim Jones, Gregory Junior, Cole Van Lanen sign exclusive rights tenders (Pro Football Talk)

Exclusive rights free agents Tim Jones, Gregory Junior and Cole Van Lanen signed their tenders Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC reports.

O-Zone: Trade agreement (Jaguars.com)

I think there’s a good chance the Jaguars sign Lawrence to a long-term extension sometime this offseason. That’s a guess. That is only a guess.

… I expect the Jaguars will use Duvernay primarily as a return specialist while using him as something of a “Swiss Army” knife on offense.

… [Walker] Little had an opportunity in 2023, playing left tackle and left guard with starts at both positions. He played well at times, but didn’t quite seize the opportunity to establish himself as a starter. I expect he will enter the offseason as the swing tackle and I would expect Anton Harrison to be the Jaguars’ left tackle for the long-term. That’s how it feels now. As we saw in 2023, how things feel one offseason aren’t always how they feel later.

2024 NFL Draft Scenarios: 3 ways the Jaguars can improve their WR room, including a trade (Times-Union)

According to the Jimmy Johnson draft trade value chart, Jacksonville would need to send pick No. 17 (worth 950 points) and likely their second-round choice (pick No. 48, 420 points) to move up to acquire the No. 9 pick from the Chicago Bears (1,350 points). That gives Chicago a value of 1,370 points.

Jaguars’ Doug Pederson: ‘We’re Ecstatic’ About Josh Allen’s Extension (Jaguar Report)

“I mean, we’re ecstatic. We’re excited that obviously that’s behind us. And he’s gonna be here now for a while and I’m excited for him and his family. I’m excited for our fans,” Pederson told WJXT4’s Jamal St. Cyr.

JR Smith to Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence: ‘Let’s Play a Round’ (Jaguar Report)

Lawrence and former NBA star JR Smith each appeared in a recap on The Masters’ official page on Saturday, with Smith saying ‘Let’s Play a Round’ on X to Lawrence.

2024 NFL Draft: Fred Taylor ‘Wouldn’t Be Surprised’ to See Jaguars Trade Up For Rome Odunze (Jaguar Report)

“I love watching @RomeOdunze play ball and wouldn’t be surprised if the @Jaguars moved up into the top 10 of this years @nfl draft to select him. He’s as special a person as he is talented,” Taylor posted on X.

2024 NFL Draft: Ideal top two picks for every team (NFL.com)

With Josh Allen locked up via a new, lucrative five-year contract, the Jaguars can focus on the big guys on both sides of the ball early in the draft. [Troy] Fautanu’s versatility makes him a great fit in Jacksonville, where he could step in at multiple spots as a rookie if injuries hit the offensive line. Cam Robinson and Walker Little are free agents after the season, as well, so Fautanu would be a long-term candidate to play left tackle. Adding [Maason] Smith’s size (6-5, 306 pounds, 34 1/2-inch arms) after acquiring free agent Arik Armstead should help strengthen the team’s defensive line.

AFC Roster Reset: Conference hierarchy heading into 2024 NFL Draft (NFL.com)

For the Jaguars to get back in the hunt in the AFC South, they need Lawrence to stay healthy and probably have to select a receiver early in the draft to go along with the addition of Davis. Keeping Josh Allen was a win — as will be the arrival of Arik Armstead, if the Jaguars can keep him healthy.

Trade up, trade down or stay put in 2024 NFL Draft: The best plan for all 32 teams in the first round (CBS Sports)

The time is now to act in Jacksonville, with the rest of the AFC South loading up for what figures to be a tightly competitive 2024 race. Getting inside the top 15 might help them secure one of the top wideouts or cover men still available.

2024 NFL Strength Of Schedule, Regular Season (Sharp Football Analysis)

Of the 15 teams predicted to have the easiest 2023 schedules, 11 finished with winning records (Saints, Colts, Texans, Lions, Jaguars, Steelers, Packers, Buccaneers, 49ers, Browns, and Bengals).

National links

Bengals WR Tee Higgins expects to play for Cincinnati in 2024 after requesting trade (NFL.com)

Tom Brady ‘not opposed’ to NFL return if team calls (NFL.com)

New Orleans Saints sign QB Kellen Mond (Canal Street Chronicles)

Travis Kelce finally graduates from college (Arrowhead Pride)

Source: Seahawks add veteran Laken Tomlinson to fill OL void (ESPN)

2024 NFL draft rankings: Matt Miller’s top 474 prospects (ESPN)

2024 NFL Draft: Biggest Strengths of Top OLs and Best Team Fits to Maximize Potential (Bleacher Report)

Andrew Luck makes long-awaited return to Indianapolis: ‘It’s my turn to give back’ (The Athletic)

O.J. Simpson saga will forever be tragic intersection of fame, wealth, race, TV and murder (The Athletic)

Editor’s pick

Johnny Newton is 2024 NFL Draft defensive tackle every team should want (SB Nation)

Overall, Newton is a dynamic three down prospect who has positional versatility, lining up as a 3T, 4i or 5T in Illinois’ five man front. His quickness and disruptiveness with his hands make him an easy evaluation as both a run and pass defender, and the ability to finish in the pass rush game makes his ceiling extremely high. Defensive tackles are all the rage right now, and Newton is the best of the bunch.

Must-see media

Poll of the Day

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