Round 1 Pick 23: Brian Thomas Jr: A
While I don't think I would've passed on Mitchell and Arnold to get Thomas, but based on how quickly the WR's dried up before our 2nd rounder, I feel better about this pick. LSU has a history of turning WR2's into WR1's in the NFL (hello Justin Jefferson) but I still worry about our secondary. However, nabbing some future picks was a masterstroke by Baalke. Picks that can get us a game changer flipped mid-season.
Maason Smith DT, Round 2, Pick 48: B+
I was going to grade this as a B, because I'm much more concerned about our o-line and secondary than I am about our defensive line, and I thought Baalke maybe should have traded up to nab some of the CB's that were falling. But then I saw the Eagles and the Saints both sniped the Jags to get the last of the top tier prospects and there's nothing we can do about that. Any other corner would have been a reach, and honestly, there weren't many o-line prospects that wouldn't have been a reach. The only one I can say would've been good was Cooper Bebebe, who ended up slipping to third round and I think OG is a greater need the DT. But I won't fault Baalke too much for going best available.
Jarrian Jones CB, Round 3, Pick 98: C
I have this one graded as a C because Jones seems like a slot corner. And to me, we already have that position filled with Darnell Savage and even Antonio Johnson. He could fill a role down the line, but I would have much preferred an outside corner like TJ Tampa who could take over for Ronald Darby as CB2. But it's not lower because again, when the Jags got sniped it kind of threw off their entire draft. I would look for Baalke to make a move for a big time corner mid-season, like Marshon Lattimore.
Javon Foster OT, Round 4, Pick 114: A
This is a guy I often got in the fourth round and I think this is good value for him. If Walker Little and Cam Robinson both leave in the off-season, Foster will have time to develop and take over. He also has right and left side flexibility like Anton Harrison.
Jordan Jefferson NT, Round 4, Pick 116: D-
While you have to build your team in the trenches, interior o-line should have been the move here. Tanner Bortolini was still available, and he's played every position on the line. He could have been our future C or G. While this might be Davon Hamilton's last year, I don't think we needed to double on d-line when our interior o-line depth is so shallow. I think Javon Solomon would have been better because I think we needed more pass rush juice here.
Deantre Prince CB, Round 5, Pick 153: D+
This feels more like a special teams pick, a guy who will take some time to develop. And I wouldn't have targeted a special teamer while a 16 sack guy like Javon Solomon was still available.
Keilan Robinson RB, Round 5, Pick 167: C
Speedy pick for Jaguars as a fast change of pace guy who can also return or play special teams. Since Tank has really stepped up as our thumper, he can be the backup to our current speed guy, Travis Etienne. However, you could argue this should have been Will Reichard. Getting the best kicker in the draft was more important than a return guy.
Cam Little K, Round 6, Pick 212: A-
People will compare Cam Little to Will Reichard for their entire careers. Assuming both become dependable NFL kickers, if Little ends up just as good or even better than Reichard, then this will grade out to an A plus.
Myles Cole DE, Round 7, Pick 232: B
It's hard to rate guys taken this late. I think Keilan Robinson might have been available here and I would have much rather had Solomon there and Robinson here, but there's no way to know for sure.
Overall the Jaguars draft is a B. Based on the preseason, Brian Thomas Jr, Cam Little and Maason Smith look like a great picks that are going to contribute this year and only get better. Everyone else seems like special teams or will need a year or two to develop. But what do you think about our draft? Leave your thoughts below!
