The 2022 NFL Draft is officially three weeks away and the Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock to lead the order. At this point, it seems they will look to stay put with the first overall pick and bolster their team in the offensive or defensive trenches.
When looking at the mock drafts on the web, most draft experts have the Jags taking Aidan Hutchinson when looking at the moves the Jags have made heading into this month. But not only would he address a need for the Jags’ defense 20th ranked defense, but the team would be truly taking the best player in the draft in the eyes of many.
Count NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah as someone who would echo those sentiments. In his last mock draft, he sent Hutchinson to the Jags after considering the moves the Jags made heading into this month. Then on Thursday, he joined 1010XL radio to further discuss his thoughts and explained why fans shouldn’t be concerned with his shorter arms.
Frangie Show: "He is a no-brainer with that 1st overall pick." –@MoveTheSticks on Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson pic.twitter.com/RhxC4wOGcU
— 1010 XL / 92.5 FM (@1010XL) April 7, 2022
“I think he’s the best player in the draft with Aidan Hutchinson,” Jeremiah said. “You know, pass-rushing is kind of an art and he’s really got a good feel for it. He’s got great instincts. He doesn’t have real long arms, but he plays like someone that does and gets his hands inside. He’s got every trick in the bag as a rusher. Just a real natural and gifted rusher.
“He to me is kind of a no-brainer with that first overall pick, but I get doing your homework with all these guys. But I’d imagine that’s eventually where they are going.”
When it comes to winning in the NFL, it’s all about getting the guy at quarterback and rushing the quarterback. That said, the Jags addressed the former last year, and grabbing Hutchinson (or any other pass-rusher) this year could give them an answer to the latter issue.
The Jags already have a first-round pick invested in rushing the passer after selecting Josh Allen in 2019. However, he’s struggled to acquire a double-digit sack figure since his rookie season, and it’s clear he needs some help in the trenches like he once had when Calais Campbell and Co. were on the roster. That said, selecting Hutchinson would indicate that the Jags are trying to get back to that as the AFC is loaded with talented quarterbacks.