Jaguars 2024 NFL Draft: Gus’ remaining mock

It’s been a busy week right here at Big Cat Country.

Our draft home web page is chock-full with Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Draft content material.

With just some hours till the Bears are on the clock, I flew by Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator — the identical utilized by Simon and Dillon of their recent mocks — to ship my first and remaining 2024 Jaguars mock draft.

Without additional ado…

Round 1, choose 17: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

The Jaguars could technically have a number of higher-graded prospects available once they’re on the clock tonight, however as Trent Baalke mentioned on the crew’s pre-draft presser, “When in doubt, you’re going to take the need, if it’s close.”

I’ll kindly direct you to our mock Jaguars massive board for the complete clarification of why I imagine McKinstry will probably be the choose if Terrion Arnold and Quinyon Mitchell are off the board — which they have been on this mock simulation.

Round 2, choose 48: Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington

I used to be ready to pick out a defensive lineman with the second-round choose, because of the anticipated sharp drop-off in expertise on the position, however I used to be pleasantly stunned to see Polk’s title available at 48. He’s who I think about to be one of the best possible receiver prospect available in that vary.

Polk has plenty of related traits to his faculty teammate Rome Odunze’s well-rounded sport. Polk will simply be chosen a spherical later as a result of his athleticism is merely good-not-great. Some widespread participant comparisons for him embrace Chris Godwin, Puka Nakua, Mohamed Sanu and DeaSean Hamilton.

Like former Jaguar Allen Robinson, Polk could not have the additional gear to run away from defenders, however he is without doubt one of the surest catchers of the soccer you’ll come throughout — one thing Trevor Lawrence ought to admire. He’s additionally an clever receiver in opposition to zone protection, which might make for a pleasant pairing with man-coverage-destroyer Christian Kirk.

Round 3, choose 96: Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame

I’d be shocked if the Jaguars didn’t choose an offensive lineman with one in all its 5 top-120 picks. Anywhere from choose 17 to 116 wouldn’t shock me, however I went within the center right here within the third spherical.

Fisher was anticipated to begin at left deal with for Notre Dame earlier than an damage sidelined him, which opened the door for coaches to look at Joe Alt defend the blindside. While the previous could have been pushed to the appropriate facet and is anticipated to be drafted practically 100 picks after the latter, Fisher is a strong prospect in his personal proper. He’s a toolsy deal with with NFL size, easy motion abilities and a fast bounce on the snap.

The Jaguars may very well like his expertise on the appropriate, as Cam Robinson and Walker Little’s contracts expire subsequent offseason and Anton Harrison could also be seen as an choice to play left deal with long run. Fisher doesn’t have very inspiring superior statistics, however he may change into a future starter with a while behind the scenes to scrub up his approach.

Round 4, choose 114: Mekhi Wingo, DL, LSU

Round 4, choose 116: Tanor Bortolini, IOL, Wisonsin

I doubled-dipped within the trenches with close to back-to-back picks within the fourth spherical with two of my guys. As Josh Allen just lately tweeted, “The battles are always won or lost in the trenches.”

While his 32” arms don’t match Baalke’s thresholds, Wingo could be reunited with former LSU defensive coordinator Matt House (who was employed by the Jaguars this offseason to educate inside linebackers) and may very well be a possible substitute choice for Dawaune Smoot (who had a recent go to with the Texans) together with his “tweener” physique kind. Wingo has the type of burst defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen would admire.

Jacksonville, which will likely be trying so as to add competitors to its inside offensive line even after extending Exra Cleveland, re-structuring Brandon Scherff and signing Mitch Morse, met with Bortolini throughout his professional day and a top 30 visit.

He was described by OL guru Brandon Thorn as “a compact, stoutly built center prospect who can play guard in a pinch. His good core strength and zone run-blocking skills signal a spot starter or key depth piece in a run-first, zone-based, play-action/RPO heavy scheme.”

Round 5, choose 153: Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame

I count on the Jaguars to proceed pouring investments into the linebacker position. Baalke could have hinted at this when requested how the league’s new kickoff guidelines will have an effect on roster building.

“I think when you talk to special teams coaches, getting guys that can bump-and-release, press-and-release, get off of blocks quickly, strike-and-go, is going to be important,” he mentioned final week. “So, I think you’re going to see some bigger bodies involved in it, if I were to guess. But I think for the most part, bringing the kickoff back into the play is going to help the guys, the [special] teams guys especially, when you build the roster with linebacker type players.”

From Dane Brugler’s important draft information: “Overall, Liufau has intriguing traits with his length, burst and violence, but he must improve his play instincts to balance out his relentless play style. He should shine as a ‘core four’ special teamer in the NFL while he gets coached up for a chance at meaningful defensive snaps.”

Round 6, choose 206: Eric Watts, EDGE, UConn

*choose acquired through commerce: Jacksonville’s 212 and 236 for Tampa Bay’s 206 and 243

As talked about earlier, I used to be trying so as to add move rushers earlier within the draft, however Polk and Fisher have been values I couldn’t move up. So I returned to the sting class after a handful of light-weight prospects went off the board, and swapped picks with the Bucs to make sure I landed one of many final massive males available on the position.

Watts is extra of a Baalke choose relative to Wingo; his bodily profile features a 97th-percentile arm size and a 79th-percentile 40-yard sprint. Like Liufatu, Watts’ athletic traits and aggressive spirit are value betting on in Day 3.

I can’t think about the Jaguars will go away the draft with out somebody to problem Yasir Abdullah and Trevis Gipson as the highest backup behind Josh Allen and Travon Walker.

Round 7, choose 243: Zion Logue, DT, Georgia

*choose acquired through commerce

I couldn’t not finish the mock with a participant who shares my surname. There’s an opportunity we’ll be dwelling in the identical metropolis quickly, too.

“Logue looked athletic in drills” at Georgia’s Pro Day, in line with Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda. “Teams believe he was underused at Georgia and is a sixth- or seventh-round pick who comes with a large upside. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons have all spent time with Logue and have an interest.”

As talked about on the Jaguar Report podcast, I wouldn’t be stunned if the Jaguars picked a nostril (hah) deal with within the seventh spherical. It is sensible to seek out low-cost insurance coverage on the position primarily based on DaVon Hamilton’s ambiguous well being standing and Jacksonville’s late-season collapse defending the run final yr.

Final outcomes:

• Round 1, choose 17: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
• Round 2, choose 48: Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
• Round 3, choose 96: Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame
• Round 4, choose 114: Mekhi Wingo, DL, LSU
• Round 4, choose 116: Tanor Bortolini, IOL, Wisonsin
• Round 5, choose 153: Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame
• Round 6, choose 206: Eric Watts, EDGE, UConn
• Round 7, choose 243: Zion Logue, DT, Georgia

Thanks for studying! As a deal with, right here’s a listing of potential undrafted free brokers the Jaguars may look to signal at every position. This is generally primarily based on our prospect go to tracker and the listing of names available within the mock simulator after I made my final choose.

• QB Michael Hiers
• RB Jase McClellan
• WR Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint
• TE McCallan Castles
• OT Travis Glover
• IOL Bryan Hudson
• DT Justin Rogers
• DE Grayson Murphy
• LB Jamal Hill
• CB Chigozie Anusiem
• S Mark Perry
• Ok Cameron Little
• P Jake Walrath

Happy draft day!