It seems a year doesn’t change much in Jacksonville. This time in 2021, the Jaguars were preparing to draft Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick. Now, despite Lawrence starting all 17 games as a rookie, the team finds itself back in the same spot.
This time, though, the choice is much less clear. Lawrence was considered a generational prospect, and Jacksonville hadn’t had a franchise quarterback since Mark Brunell. But this year, quarterback isn’t a need and there is no one obvious elite prospect.
That gives the Jags a few possible avenues to explore with this pick. The first — and most commonly predicted — is to take an edge rusher. Though his play is inconsistent, Josh Allen looks like a player the franchise can build around when he’s at his best. But aside from him and maybe Dawuane Smoot, a strong argument could be made to acquire pass-rush help.
If the Jaguars choose to draft a replacement, there are two main options. Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux was considered the likely top pick for most of the season, but a fantastic final year from Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson made it a debate. There’s no clear consensus between the two among draft analysts, and mock drafts vary quite a bit on which of the two will be picked first.
But with questions surrounding the pair and the fact that it’s a deep class at edge rusher, perhaps the Jaguars opt to shore up a different position entirely, such as offensive tackle.
Cam Robinson’s contract is expiring and Jawaan Taylor was one of the worst starting tackles in the league this season. At least one will almost certainly be gone (and even if they both return, Taylor likely wouldn’t start), and though Walker Little impressed in the little action he saw as a rookie, it’s not a situation the team should be comfortable with.
If the Jags choose to go the tackle route, the name that everyone is talking about is Alabama’s Evan Neal, who began his career as a right tackle before moving to the left side this season. He’s an elite prospect who could likely start on either side. However, there’s not a complete consensus about Neal being the pick even if the Jags pass on an edge rusher.
North Carolina State’s Ikem Ekwonu is rising up the boards quickly, and for good reason. Though technically a sophomore due to COVID-19 eligibility rule changes, he’s been a starter for the Wolfpack for the bulk of the last three seasons and is a very talented player in his own right, if a bit less polished than Neal.
Regardless of the direction the team decides to go in, it will be a crucial decision. First overall picks are a rare opportunity, and the Jags have the chance to take someone who will develop into one of the better players in the NFL.
We want to hear from you, Jags fans. Should the team take one of the two edge rushers? Should it instead opt for a tackle like Neal or Ekwonu? Or should Jacksonville take an entirely different player not mentioned here? Let us know in the poll below.
