Story by
5 NFL Draft prospects Jaguars fans should watch at NFL Combine today
- Story by
- 5 NFL Draft prospects Jaguars fans should watch at NFL Combine today
INDIANAPOLIS — The Jacksonville Jaguars are now under new leadership with executive vice president of football operations Tony Boselli , general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen as the three pillars of leadership within Jacksonville's football operation.
The Jaguars are entering the NFL Draft with 10 picks, the most in the NFL and have 20 picks over the next two years, something Gladstone has emphasized in most of his press duties.
Advertisement
With the NFL Scouting Combine officially kicked off, it marks the first opportunity for the new brass to get their hands and eyes on prospects ahead of the Draft.
WAIT, WHAT?! Jacksonville Jaguars NFL draft target Travis Hunter wants to play 100% of snaps at WR, CB
It marks the first time since 2019 that Gladstone has attended the event and the first time Coen has as a head coach.
The Jaguars are using their time in Indianapolis to get to know each other, set their free agency boards, work on schemes and assess the team's roster as it relates to their likely targets in both areas of player procurement in the offseason.
Advertisement
But, they'll still watch and scout the prospects taking to the grass.
What is the NFL Combine schedule today?
Combine Experience gates open: 1-7 p.m.; Inside Look gates open 1-9 p.m.; Drills begin 3 p.m.
What defensive backs, tight ends should Jaguars fans watch today?
Oct 19, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Nick Emmanwori (7) reacts after returning an interception for a touchdown during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Note: Colorado corner/receiver Travis Hunter and Michigan corner Will Johnson opted out of on-field drills for the Combine. As a result, they are not listed here.
Player to watch: Nick Emmanwori , South Carolina
The Jaguars enter the 2025 season with major question marks at safety. While the team has Darnell Savage currently installed alongside Antonio Johnson , Andre Cisco is set to be a free agent.
Advertisement
It is also worth noting that the Jaguars signed Savage to play in the slot, as was his expectation when he signed.
Jacksonville could be in the market for multiple safeties in free agency and the NFL Combine.
Enter South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori, who is one of the most physically impressive players at the Combine this year, listed at 6-foot-3, 222 pounds.
On Thursday, Emmanwori said he met with the Jaguars, as is expected of nearly all prospects at some point during the offseason.
"It was a great meeting. Kind of went over some install and talked some ball. I think I aced it," he said, adding that the Jaguars have a "great staff, great front office."
Advertisement
Emmanwori compares his game to Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton .
"He's like a finesse player. He's just all over the field... swiss army knife. He can do everything. He shuts down the whole side of the field," said Emmanwori. "I remember watching some games, and he made plays back to back to back. I'm like, 'This dude's amazing.' I kind of see us like that."
Though nothing is official yet, Emmanwori is expected to be one of the fastest defensive backs on the field on Friday.
When asked what he expects to run in his 40-yard dash, he smiled: "4.3 [seconds]."
Advertisement
Others worth monitoring:S Malaki Starks, Georgia; CB Jahdae Barron, Texas; TE Mason Taylor, LSU; TE Oronde Gasden II, Syracuse
When to tune in: Friday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Jaguars NFL Draft needs include trenches, secondary
Cornerback: Jacksonville's experiment with Ronald Darby opposite Tyson Campbell at cornerback failed last year. While Montaric "Buster" Brown has shown promise, the team can't enter 2025 without a sure thing at the position. Especially when you factor in Campbell has missed 11 games the last two seasons combined.
Safety: Starter Andre Cisco is about to test the free agency market, and there has been no contact between the team and Cisco regarding a potential extension.
Advertisement
Guard: Starting right guard Brandon Scherff is set to be a free agent once his contract voids. The Jaguars do not have a capable backup plan after Cooper Hodges sustained another season-ending injury last year. This spot will be a priority.
Defensive lineman/EDGE: The Jaguars got 18.5 sacks out of their edge rushers last year. Five other defensive linemen posted sacks with rookie Maason Smith (three) leading the way. Roy Robertson-Harris (two sacks) was traded after Week 6. The Jaguars finished with 34 total sacks. They also ranked 24th in rushing yards allowed per game with 132.6.
Jaguars NFL Draft picks
Young fans putt during the Duuuval Draft Party Thursday, April 25, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Thousands came out to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars choose in the 2024 NFL Draft. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
The Jaguars hold 10 picks in this year's draft. Here are their current positions:
Advertisement
-
Round 1: (No. 5)
-
Round 2: (No. 36)
-
Round 3: (Nos. 70, 88)
-
Round 4: (Nos. 105, 124)
-
Round 5: (No. 141)
-
Round 6: (Nos. 180, 192)
-
Round 7: (No. 221)
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, please consider becoming a subscriber to support local journalism in Northeast Florida .
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: NFL Combine today: Jaguars draft prospects to watch
