REPORT: JAGUARS HOST WYOMING LINEBACKER CHAD MUMA FOR PRE-DRAFT VISIT

Trevor Ruszkowski/USA Today Sports

The Jaguars hosted another linebacker for a pre-draft visit. 

BY JORDAN DE LUGO

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The Jaguars have hosted Wyoming linebacker Chad Muma for a pre-draft visit, per Kyle Newman of the Denver Post. Newman reported that Muma has also met with the Broncos and Panthers and has worked out for the Saints and Bills.

Muma, 22, is a former three-star safety out of Parker, Colorado, who switched to linebacker in college. Muma became a full-time starter for the Cowboys in 2020, but the pandemic limited their season to six games. Still, Muma racked up 71 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble. In 2021, his only full season in the starting lineup, Muma racked up 142 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three interceptions, 1.5 sacks, two touchdowns, and one fumble recovery. He was named first-team All-Mountain West in 2020 and 2021 and received third-team All-American honors in 2021. 

Muma participated in the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine, impressing scouts at both stops. He was among the most dominant performers during Senior Bowl practice week. At the Combine, Muma measured 6'2 3/4," weighed 239 pounds, had 31 5/8" arms, with 10" hands. He ran a 4.63 40 with a 1.6 10-yard split, leaped 40" in the vert, 129" in the broad jump, a 7.06 3-cone, 4.28 short shuttle, and 27 bench press reps. 

After releasing Myles Jack, waiving Dylan Moses, and letting Damien Wilson walk in free agency, the Jaguars have a need at linebacker. They added Foye Oluokun — who led the NFL in tackles last season — in free agency but the team lacks depth and talent behind him on the roster. Shaquille Quarterman has shown development in his two seasons in the league but lacks the desired athleticism to be a full-time starter in the modern NFL. The rest of the linebacker group is comprised of Tyrell Adams, Jamir Jones, Chapelle Russell, and Elijah Sullivan. 

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The Jaguars have also reportedly had pre-draft visits with Memphis offensive line Dylan Parham, Alabama wide receiver John Metchie, Illinois safety Kerby Joseph, LSU running back Tyrion Davis-Price, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Georgia defensive end Travon Walker, Georgia linebacker Quay Walker, Alabama left tackle Evan Neal, NC State left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, Colorado State tight end Trey McBride, Florida defensive lineman Zachary Carter, Penn State offensive lineman Rasheed Walker, Michigan running back Hassan Haskins, Tulsa offensive lineman Tyler Smith, Alabama linebacker Christian Harris, Oklahoma defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey, and Louisiana safety Percy Butler.

The Jaguars hold 12 selections in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft, including five in the top 106. The Draft kicks off on April 28th at 8 pm in Las Vegas. 

My take: The Jaguars have also shown interest in Georgia linebacker Quay Walker and Alabama linebacker Christian Harris. Walker, Harris, and Muma could all be targets with the 33rd overall pick. There is, however, a decent chance Walker hears his name called on night one of the Draft. Of the three linebackers, I'm guessing the Jaguars have the most interest in Walker, an upper-echelon athlete with rare length for the position. Muma is my top-graded linebacker of the bunch. He brings a well-rounded overall athletic profile, and despite sub-par arm length, he rarely misses tackles thanks to his explosive movements, strength, and large hands. His instincts, diagnosis, and discipline are elite traits that — combined with his athletic profile — allow him to thrive against the run and the pass. He adds special teams value to boot. If the Jaguars are keen on adding a linebacker at 33, and projected first-rounders Devin Lloyd and Nakobe Dean are off the board, Chad Muma would be my pick. But if the Jaguars have the opportunity to land Quay Walker, he'll likely be their choice. 

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