Many draft experts, analysts, and media members believe the Jacksonville Jaguars will select Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson first overall in April’s draft after their free agency splurge. In the eyes of many, he’s the best prospect in the draft, and some would even go as far as saying he may be the safest option that also covers a need for the team.
However, Touchdown Wire expects the Jaguars to go in a completely different direction in its latest mock draft that was released Wednesday. Doug Farrar believes Jacksonville will make history by taking Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton. The league has never seen a team select a safety with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft before.
Hamilton merits that kind of history. In his three-year career with the Fighting Irish, he recorded 138 tackles, 17 pass deflections and eight interceptions. NFL draft scouts consider the Atlanta native a unicorn at the safety position because he has the eyes and speed to play over the top, the strength and toughness to play near the line of scrimmage, and can cover some elite pass-catching tight ends.
Safety wasn’t one of the Jags’ top needs heading into this offseason. Instead, the team’s top needs were to add weapons and protection for quarterback Trevor Lawrence while strengthening the pass-rush on defense.
The franchise definitely could still use an upgrade at the other safety position opposite of Rayshawn Jenkins who signed with Jacksonville in free agency last offseason. Their current options are 2021 third-round pick Andre Cisco and Andrew Wingard.
However, pass rushers come at a premium in the NFL and Hutchinson is widely considered the best prospect in this year’s draft. Therefore, many believe the should Jags select Hutchinson with the first overall pick next month.
