The Jaguars hold a top five pick (again) in this years NFL Draft. There's no clear cut pick for them at number four overall this year, so here we'll explore all of their feasible options. The options are in order from 1 to 5 and ranked based upon the likelihood (according to me) of each option actually happening. 1 being the most likely, 5 being the least.
1. The Jaguars draft a pass rusher/defensive lineman - In my estimation this is the most likely scenario. Defensive line/pass rush is highly valued by NFL teams and for good reason. Effecting the opposing teams QB is of the utmost importance in todays NFL. While the Jaguars have other holes to fill (offensive line, tight end, quarterback) defensive line makes the most sense. There are several defensive lineman that have top five value. Myles Garrett will almost certainly be the number one overall pick, so take his name off the board. Then you're left with Jonathan Allen from Alabama, who had an underwhelming combine and Solomon Thomas from Stanford who has been shooting up draft boards since the start of the post season draft process. Either one or both of these studly defensive lineman could be off the board by the time the Jaguars select at four, but with two teams ahead of the Jaguars that both need QB help it seems likely that the Jaguars will be able to snag one of these two defensive lineman. 2. Draft a running back - This running back class is LOADED with talent. There are at least 10 RB prospects that project to be starters or at the very least contributors from day one of their NFL careers. Leonard Fournette tops the list with his unheard of combination of size and speed. I'm not sold on a running back with the fourth overall pick, but with an emphasis on giving Blake Bortles every opportunity to succeed the Jaguars may consider investing highly in a workhorse back. And Tom Coughlin has drafted a running back with a high first round pick in the past. The only question is who do the Jaguars like more Leonard Fournette or Dalvin Cook? Keep in mind the Jaguars have not only a history of selecting former Seminoles in the draft, but also a strong history of drafting players from the state of Florida in the first round. 2014 1st round pick - Blake Bortles (UCF) 2015 1st round pick - Dante Fowler Jr. (UF) 2016 1st round pick - Jalen Ramsey (FSU)
3. Trade back - There isn't much precedent for Dave Caldwell and the Jaguars to trade back in the draft, but with an uncertain group of players at the top of the class this year the Jaguars may be stuck in no man's land with the fourth overall pick. There are a number of impressive players at positions of need that will be available later in the first and even into the second and third rounds of the draft. If the Jaguars aren't sold on any of the talent at the top they could easily trade their fourth overall pick to acquire another first round pick in addition to a second round pick, third round pick or both. If the Jaguars did trade back with a team like the QB needy Cleveland Browns then they could nab the best balanced tight end to come out in the draft in some time OJ Howard.
4. Draft a cornerback - After the first three options things start getting murky. I would say any of the first three options are likely, but the fourth and fifth options on this list may me a little but more far fetched. The Jaguars could select another CB. Despite having Jalen Ramsey, and the newly signed AJ Bouye the Jaguars could target their favorite CB in this year's draft. Sure, the Jaguars have Aaron Colvin as their starting nickel, but drafting a guy like Marshon Lattimore would be a major upgrade and could allow the Jaguars to have three of the very best cornerbacks in football all on the field at the same time. 5. Draft a safety - In the last two off seasons the Jaguars have made moderately big splashes at both safety positions. In 2016 the Jaguars signed the former Pro Bowler Tashaun Gipson to play free, while in 2017 the Jaguars signed Barry Church to play strong. Now, these players have somewhat comparable skill sets while Gipson excels more in coverage and Church excels more in run defense. While both players are at least average to above average at their respective positions the Jaguars could still afford to upgrade. Jamal Adams is viewed as one of the best strong safeties to come out in recent memory, while Malik Hooker is considered perhaps the most dynamic playmaker on defense in the entire draft. Either player would provide an upgrade to an already strong secondary group for the Jaguars.
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