Best case scenario for Jaguars at No. 20: Javon Kinlaw surprisingly slides

With the NFL Draft set to kick off tonight, here’s the best case scenario for the Jaguars when they come back on the clock at 20 overall.

Earlier we took a look at the best-case scenario for the Jacksonville Jaguars at pick No. 9, however, the fun may not stop there for the team who will take the podium again 11 selections afterward (unless they make some moves).

For the Jaguars second pick at No. 20 overall, the best-case scenario would be if Javon Kinlaw is still on the board. The Jaguars have waved goodbye to a metric-ton of defensive line talent this off-season, with Calais Campbell and Marcell Dareus already gone and Yannick Ngkoue still looking to force a trade. The front office must use this draft to reinforce the front seven.

The first half of this draft is going to be dominated by offensive prospects, which is beneficial for those picking in the mid-to-late teens as elite defensive talent will still be available toward the back end of the class.

A receiver may not make an appearance in the top-10, and if that happens, four wideouts could be taken between 11-19. Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, Henry Ruggs, and Justin Jefferson are all worth a top-20 pick and could hear their names called between the Cleveland Browns (No. 10) selection and the Jags’ second Day 1 selection. Not only could four receivers go before the Jaguars pick at 20, but there is the potential that other elite defensive prospects such as C.J Henderson, K’Lavon Chaisson, and Patrick Queen could push Kinlaw down the order further.

A fall to 20 would be devastating for a top-10 talent in Kinlaw, but for the Jaguars he would be a perfect replacement for the former “Mayor of Sacksonville” Calais Campbell. Kinlaw has shown an elite ability to establish pressure from the interior during his time with South Carolina and would fit in nicely next to a run-stuffer up front like Taven Bryan.

The Jaguars’ success in 2017 came from the team’s ability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks and suffocating the offense. Adding a dominating presence on the inside will allow standout pass-rusher, Josh Allen, to take the next step in 2020.

Offensive tackle remains a need, but the drop-off in talent after the initial group is substantial enough that they shouldn’t be targeting Austin Jackson, Isaiah Wilson, or Ezra Cleveland in the first round. Therefore if someone of Kinlaw’s talent is on the clock at No. 20, Dave Caldwell will jump at the chance of drafting two top-ten ranked players.