It's that time.
Over the next four weeks, the Times-Union will work to predict what the Jacksonville Jaguars will do to improve their team in this month's NFL Draft with mock drafts coming every Monday in the lead-up to the event that begins on Thursday, April 25.
The Jaguars have spent the last couple of months working to re-structure their team with new player additions and the addition of defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen and his staff.
Jacksonville moved on from a trio of defensive veterans including safety Rayshawn Jenkins (Seattle Seahawks), defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi (Houston Texans) and cornerback Darious Williams (Los Angeles Rams). They also lost starting receiver Calvin Ridley to the division-rival Tennessee Titans.
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In addition, Jacksonville lost several depth or special teams players such as defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot, linebacker Shaq Quarterman, return specialist Jamal Agnew, kicker Brandon McManus (Washington Commanders), outside linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (Carolina Panthers), cornerback Tre Herndon and guard Tyler Shatley.
Of course, the Jaguars could bring a player back, but they're more likely to move on with their replacements already on the roster or set to be.
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Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Doug Pederson brought in a total of nine free agents, including receivers Gabe Davis and Devin Duvernay, tight end Josiah Deguara, cornerback Ronald Darby, defensive back Darnell Savage, kicker Joey Slye, linebacker Trevis Gipson, defensive lineman Arik Armstead and center Mitch Morse.
They also traded their original sixth-round pick (No. 192) for quarterback Mac Jones, who is expected to compete with backup QB C.J. Beathard during training camp.
The Jaguars enter this month's draft with eight total selections, including three in the top 96. Jacksonville kicks off their draft weekend with the 17th overall pick in the first round. They own two fourth-round picks and one pick in each of the other rounds.
The team acquitted a third-round compensatory pick after losing tackle Jawaan Taylor to the Kansas City Chiefs last year. They also earned a compensatory sixth-round selection after losing pass rusher Arden Key to the Tennessee Titans. Jacksonville surrendered their original third-round pick (No. 79) to the Atlanta Falcons for Ridley's services in 2023.
With the table set, let's get to the mock.
Note: This mock draft is based on positions and players the Times-Union would select if running the Jaguars based on their perceived needs, not necessarily based on information provided by the team or otherwise. The mock was done using a simulator via Pro Football Network.
1st round (17th overall): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
We'll kick this one off with speed (4.33 40-yard dash), size (6-foot-3, 209 pounds) and hands (78.2% catch percentage) — the total package for a receiver.
Thomas enters the draft considered one of the top prospects beyond the big three including Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze and Thomas' teammate, Malik Nabers.
With a pair of top corners (Terrion Arnold and Quinyon Mitchell) off the board, the Jaguars could pivot to the receiver position, pairing Thomas with franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence for years to come.
The Jaguars invested in the receiver position during free agency, signing Davis and Duvernay. Even with those additions, the team still wanted to retain Ridley, but ultimately were outbid.
Their need at receiver remains and Thomas could be a star in the making. After taking a backseat for the first two years of his career at LSU, Thomas burst onto the scene with 68 catches for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns last season playing opposite Nabers and with QB Jayden Daniels.
Thomas can play opposite Davis and stretch the field vertically but also can work over the middle of the field even though he wasn't asked to do it much with LSU.
Thomas earned one of the highest catch percentages among receivers in college football last year at 78.2% on 87 targets.
Career stats: 38 games played, 127 receptions, 1,897 yards and 24 touchdowns. Posted career-high numbers in 2023 with 68 catches for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns.
2nd round (48th overall): Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
It's hard to be so definitive when it comes to the draft, but it feels like Jacksonville must address the corner position within the top two rounds. While a receiver was drafted first in this mock and isn't far behind cornerback in terms of need, don't get it twisted — cornerback is Jacksonville's most concerning position.
Enter Melton who projects as a player who can play both inside and outside at the next level. He's a highly athletic (40.5-inch vertical), fast (4.39 40-yard dash) and physical defensive back who thrives in press-man coverage, which could be deployed often in defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen's scheme.
Though some project Melton to move down in the slot, he should fair well outside thanks in part to his 32-inch arms. Melton can slide in as the team's starting corner opposite Tyson Campbell, who is entering the final year of his contract.
While the Jaguars signed Darby as insurance, it cannot prevent them from addressing the position early in this year's loaded class of corners.
Career stats: 41 games played, 111 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, eight interceptions, 22 pass breakups, four fumble recoveries and one touchdown.
3rd round (96th overall): Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan
The Jaguars will reportedly host Kneeland for a 30-visit in the coming weeks leading up to the draft.
Though it's not necessarily indicative of who a team will take, a 30-visit can give you a hint. Last year, for example, the Jaguars brought in both defensive lineman Tyler Lacy and offensive lineman Cooper Hodges for visits. Though Hodges also had a local tie, they selected both players in last year's draft.
Kneeland makes sense for Jacksonville as the team continues to address the defensive line in the wake of last year's late-season collapse. The Jaguars already invested in the position group when they signed Armstead. They'll likely select a couple more after losing Chaisson, and likely losing Smoot, in free agency.
Kneeland offers length and athleticism at the position and can easily slide in behind both Josh Allen and Travon Walker as the team's third pass rusher. His size (6-foot-3, 267 pounds) and length (34.5-inch arms) stand out on tape and his strong hands at the point of attack make him one of the more interesting edge prospects beyond the first level.
Career stats: 37 games played, 149 total tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks.
4th round (114th overall): Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson
Davis is not a typical Baalke pick on the defensive line. He's undersized in terms of length at 6-foot-2, 301 pounds with 31-inch arms. It doesn't matter.
Davis, a five-year starter at Clemson, is one of the most productive players at his position entering the draft. Though he will be older (24) during the second half of his rookie season, Davis' experience in college should mitigate any concerns there.
He's a plug-and-play player at nose tackle but offers more pass rush than typically seen out of the position. The Jaguars have DaVon Hamilton as the team's starting nose if needed, but acquiring a player like Davis could give the team some flexibility, allowing Hamilton to play more than simply nose in Nielsen's defense.
Career stats: 55 games played, 145 total tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 16 sacks (earned a career-high 6.5 sacks as a freshman in 2019).
4th round (116th overall): Matt Goncalves, OT, Pittsburgh
The Jaguars will lose one of, if not both, Cam Robinson or Walker Little after this season. Both players are entering the final year of their deals.
The Jaguars could, and probably should, address the tackle position earlier in the draft, but we found space in round four.
Goncalves, 6-foot-6, 327 pounds, has experience playing both left and right tackle and is graded by some as one of the best sleepers at tackle in this year's class.
Goncalves missed most of last year due to a toe injury on his left foot and was unable to work out at the combine. He finished his career at Pitt with 23 starts over his five-year career. He played all positions on the offensive line except center and is viewed as a versatile lineman in this year's draft.
Career stats: 1,754 total snaps played, allowed three sacks and 41 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
5th round (153rd overall): Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice
We're having fun, now.
Sure, Luke McCaffrey gets a bit of a bump because of his brother, Christian, but his performance on the field stands out just as much.
The younger McCaffrey, 6-foot-2, 198 pounds, posted stunning numbers at the combine, including a 4.46 40-yard dash, a 36-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-one-inch broad jump.
After playing the majority of his career at quarterback, McCaffrey transferred to Rice, earning a spot as a receiver. In his two seasons as a full-time wideout, McCaffrey accounted for 129 receptions for 1,715 yards and 19 touchdowns. Essentially, his entire career production as a receiver.
McCaffrey can work as a bigger depth player in the slot.
Career stats: 44 games played, 131 receptions, 1,732 yards, 19 touchdowns (began playing receiver after 20 games played as a quarterback).
6th round (212th overall): Trey Knox, TE, South Carolina
At this point in the draft, the Jaguars could reload depth. Tight end was a consideration here simply because the team elected to sign one in free agency (Deguara) and have worked to find more production out of the position.
This selection easily could have been a running back, inside linebacker or any other potential special teams player.
Knox comes in as a tweener at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds. He began his career at Arkansas as a receiver before transferring to South Carolina. The Jaguars have Evan Engram and second-year TE Brenton Strange as their top-two targets but Strange was largely ineffective last year due to injuries and usage, while the rest of the TE room also left something to be desired.
One way to bring out the best in players is to add competition. That's what Knox can do.
Career stats: 55 games played, 118 receptions, 1,195 yards, 11 touchdowns
7th round (236th overall): Evan Anderson, DL, FAU
If you want a space-eater in the middle of your defensive line, the 6-foot-3, 355-pound defensive tackle out of Boca Raton, Fla. will entice you.
Anderson can give the Jaguars more depth at nose tackle and on the defensive line as a whole as Jacksonville continues the transition to defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen's defense.
Career stats: 39 games played, 148 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, seven sacks (3.5 in 2023).
Where's the Kicker?! note: The Jaguars signed Joey Slye in free agency, but could certainly use another player to compete with him and Riley Patterson. Perhaps UFL kicker Jake Bates, who nailed a 64-yard game-winning field goal for the Michigan Panthers over the weekend, makes sense rather than drafting one.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at@Demetrius82.
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