Big Cat Country
When and where the Jags will fill holes on draft weekend
The new front office in Jacksonville have, for the most part, gone out of their way to deliberately replace outgoing talent with new additions in free agency. Why? To keep their options open ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft. That’s not to say they don’t have needs, but they have given themselves a degree of flexibility when it comes to the order in which they address them come the end of the month. With that in mind, let’s identify the biggest holes in the Jags’ roster - and some names that should still be available at those position on each day of the draft:
The one position that wasn’t addressed in free agency. And given the Jaguars’ run defense woes in 2024, it’s likely high up the list of priorities for new General Manager James Gladstone. The good news? This draft class isn’t short on talent on the defensive interior. Some potential targets:
Day 1 - Mason Graham, Michigan: The obvious answer, and a name familiar to any Jags fan who keeps an eye on the thousands of mock drafts that spring up this time of year. Graham is a potential top-three talent in this draft, and could very well be available at pick number 5. Imagining him alongside Arik Armstead, Joshua Hines-Allen and Travon Walker is a scary thought.
Day 2 - Alfred Collins, Texas: If the Jags are content to see a more enhanced role for Maason Smith in 2025, then perhaps a prospect with upside could be sought in rounds 2 or 3. Collins has the measurables to be an NFL run stuffer, even if the production wasn’t quite there for the Longhorns
Day 3 - Thomas Gore, Georgia Tech: I would be shocked if Jacksonville waited this long to address their primary need. But on day 3 you look for diamonds in the rough. Gore had a tough time in Miami after shining at Georgia State, but bounced back nicely with the Yellow Jackets. He outperforms his size and offers intriguing interior pass rush.
The ascendency of Jarrian Jones and clever additions in the form of Jourdan Lewis and Eric Murray in free agency possibly knocked this positional need off top spot. Nevertheless, depth is a big concern at pretty much every position on the back end:
Day 1 - Travis Hunter, Colorado: Just imagine if Hunter somehow fell to Jacksonville at 5! The two-way star and Heisman Trophy winner wouldn’t just be expected to be an instant starter at corner, but potentially challenge for defensive postseason awards too. And we haven’t even discussed the value on offense he brings either. Not since Jalen Ramsey would the Jags have had a name with such star power in the secondary.
Day 2 - Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky: Want to inject some speed into the secondary? Hairston might just be the kind of high-upside, developmental pick you look for on the...
