If there was anything from Sunday’s blowout loss to the New England Patriots for Jacksonville Jaguars fans to be excited about, it’s what that loss means in the long run. Jacksonville, who sits at 2-14 on the season, has locked up a top-two pick in the 2022 NFL draft, alongside the Detroit Lions, who sit at 2-13-1 on the season.
A loss on Sunday in Week 18 to the Indianapolis Colts or a Lions win over the Green Bay Packers would seal pick No. 1 for the Jags. However, Detroit beating the Packers seems unlikely, and if it doesn’t and Jacksonville stuns the Colts instead, the Lions would earn the first pick.
The Jaguars picked first overall last season for the first time in franchise history, and it selected quarterback Trevor Lawrence. That position is obviously no longer a need, and the Jags are likely to look at one of the two top edge rushing prospects in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Aidan Hutchinson, as well as Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal.
But all three of these players have question marks. Thibodeaux is a former No. 1 recruit who was dominant in college, but injuries limited his production as a junior in 2021. Hutchinson, meanwhile, had a breakout season that landed him on the Heisman stage. But one good year that ended with him having a relatively quiet night against a solid Georgia team could decrease his stock a bit depending on the perspective of certain scouts. Further, Neal is primarily a right tackle, which would hurt his value as a No. 1 pick and would also mean Jacksonville still has a decision to make at left tackle.
The Colts have a lot to play for with an AFC wild-card spot on the line. With a win over the Jags at TIAA Bank Field, they’ll make the playoffs. It’s hard to imagine the team is going to slip up in this one, and the Jags seem destined to pick first overall for the second year in a row.