The draft and free agency are rapidly approaching. I haven't published a mock draft on GenJag dot com in a couple of weeks, so I figured it was high time we got back in the saddle. This here mock draft is going to be based on a couple of crucial principles. In this scenario, the Jaguars will fill all their major needs in free agency, allowing them to take the best player available/positional value approach. I have no real idea how the Jaguars' big board will look come late April (outside of the number one pick), so here I've used my own player rankings to make these selections. I used the PFN Mock Draft Simulator to run this mock draft. #1 Overall - QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson Recently, some in the media have questioned whether or not Trevor Lawrence is the best quarterback in this draft class. Urban Meyer cares not — Trevor is his man. The Jaguars have their first legitimate franchise quarterback in club history. #29 Overall - DT Christian Barmore, Alabama Because there are many talented values still on the board, we trade back with the Packers from 25 to 29 and acquire the 92nd pick in exchange for the 248th pick. In doing so, the Jaguars still land the top defensive tackle prospect in the class, a thick interior penetrator that is just scratching the surface in terms of his potential for disruption. #33 Overall - OT Jalen Mayfield, Michigan It took me a while to come around on Mayfield, but his 2020 tape is nearly flawless, and he has the supreme athleticism and strength to quickly become an upper-echelon offensive tackle or guard. Mayfield is a finisher. He'll find his way into the Jaguars' starting lineup at right tackle or right guard by week one. #45 Overall - EDGE Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma Perkins is the ideal Joe Cullen edge rusher. He can come in and fill the role of a Matt Judon, Za'Darius Smith, or Yannick Ngakoue type. Based on traits and 2020 film, Perkins should be in the same range as Azeez Ojulari, if not higher, so to land him this far into the second round would be a coup. The Jaguars will want to have pass rushers in waves, and Perkins can undoubtedly help in that area. #65 Overall - RB Michael Carter, North Carolina Perkins and Carter might be my two biggest draft crushes. Carter was dominant at UNC in 2020, averaging over eight yards per carry. He's compact, fast, shows good vision and contact balance, and has excellent lateral agility to boot. Carter is a quality pass catcher and willing blocker. He's a near-perfect complement for James Robinson. #106 Overall - S Ar'Darius Washington, TCU
Another prospect that I value much higher than this spot, Washington's only flaw is his height. At just 5'8'', many teams might not even have him on their draft board. But there's some Honey Badger to Washington's game, and he makes up for his size with his athleticism, smarts, and physicality. Landing a potential plus starter at safety or nickel here makes too much sense. And he's already proven to be a quality special teams player. #110 Overall - CB Kelvin Joseph, Kentucky The Browns offered pick 110 and a 2022 4th rounder in exchange for pick 92 and 227. I gladly accepted. Joseph has been a hot name in draft circles lately, and it might be a surprise to see him fall to the fourth round. But while he has the physicality, size, and traits to become an impressive press-man cornerback, Joseph still needs plenty of development. Taking him here and allowing him to grow as a cornerback in a backup role will serve Joseph well. #130 Overall - WR Cade Johnson, South Dakota State Johnson might be the best route runner in the class. He was uncoverable at the Senior Bowl. He didn't play in 2020 due to the lack of a season but was efficient and explosive in 2019. For a smaller receiver, Johnson does well to compete at the catch point. With his skill set, Johnson should be able to feast in the slot at the next level. #146 Overall - S Jamar Johnson, Indiana Not highly regarded on big boards around the web, Johnson has good size, athleticism, instincts, ball skills, physicality, production, and versatility. He's a home run at this point in the draft. Johnson didn't allow a single touchdown in coverage during his collegiate career and picked off four passes in 2020 while allowing a completion % of just 47.8. #171 Overall - TE Tre McKitty, Georgia A Nole turned Dawg, McKitty wasn't featured much at Georgia, but he has the size, athleticism, and ball skills to become a valuable seam stretching tight end at the next level. McKitty is also impressive after the catch. He's the definition of a value with the Jaguars' final pick in the 2021 draft. This draft offers the Jaguars value at every turn, adds ten talented youngsters to the roster at a variety of spots, and gives the Jaguars an extra 2022 fourth-round pick. Follow Jordan on Twitter for all the latest Jaguars news and analysis. |
