ESPN’s Todd McShay released his latest two-round mock draft on Wednesday. With the Jaguars’ pick at No. 33, he pegged the franchise to make a head-scratching selection.
McShay believes Jacksonville will make the obvious and easiest choice with the first overall pick by taking Michigan edge rusher, Aidan Hutchinson. It’s the most likely outcome for the Jaguars at this pick after they didn’t sign a pass rusher in free agency.
Hutchinson and defensive end Josh Allen will make a formidable pass-rushing duo for the Jags’ defense. Here’s what McShay had to say about the selection:
Best player available. Big need. Perfect match. Jacksonville tied for the fifth-fewest sacks in 2021 (32), and its 27.8% pressure rate ranked No. 20 in the NFL. Hutchinson would instantly provide the Jaguars with a relentless, explosive disrupter on the edge opposite Josh Allen. There’s still a chance that the Jags favor one of the top offensive tackles in the class — NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu or Alabama’s Evan Neal — even after they franchise-tagged left tackle Cam Robinson and signed guard Brandon Scherff. But I just don’t see them passing on Hutchinson’s ability to be a tone-setter on defense.
Then McShay slotted the Jags Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon. This selection just makes no sense because Jacksonville has invested heavily in corners Shaquill Griffin and Darious Williams over the last two offseasons. General manager Trent Baalke also selected Tyson Campbell in the 2021 NFL draft, who started to put things together and play well late last season.
No team allowed a higher opponent QBR than the Jaguars last season (55.7), and their seven interceptions tied for the second fewest. Jacksonville was active in free agency and signed Darious Williams, but that shouldn’t exclude the team from adding more to the cornerback room at the draft. Gordon didn’t run quite as well as expected at the combine, but he can play inside or outside and is a sudden defender with the ability to stick on receivers like Velcro.
Opposing quarterbacks didn’t have issues moving the ball on the Jaguars’ defense at times last season, but it would be hard to fathom the Jags drafting a No. 4 corner with its second-most valuable pick. Snagging a receiver like George Pickens or Skyy Moore would’ve been a better selection for the Jags. If not that, maybe even trading down a few spots to address their need for an interior linebacker with an option like Quay Walker would’ve been a better.