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Who will Jacksonville Jaguars take in the 2025 NFL Draft? Seven-round mock draft
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- Who will Jacksonville Jaguars take in the 2025 NFL Draft? Seven-round mock draft
The NFL offseason has begun for the Jacksonville Jaguars . That means it's the official start of NFL Draft season.
As the college football schedule comes to an end, NFL clubs will continue the vetting process of finding players to fill out their rosters.
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The Jaguars are currently in a search for a new head coach after firing Doug Pederson at the conclusion of the regular season. There have been several candidates requested to interview by the club. They'll need to address that prior to getting to the draft.
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Whether the new coach has an offensive or defensive background, the team has several positions of need entering draft season.
They need a cornerback to play opposite of Tyson Campbell , a safety, as Andre Cisco is set to become a free agent and an interior offensive lineman with uncertainty about right guard Brandon Scherff's future.
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The team can also use more interior defensive line depth and additional depth at receiver as Gabe Davis is set to miss substantial time after his season-ending injury.
There are still a lot of pieces that have to fall into place, but the Times-Union tried its hand at a an initial seven-round mock draft.
Round 1, Pick 5: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 07: Will Johnson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines returns an interception for a touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first half at Huntington Bank Stadium on October 07, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Johnson is rated as one of the top cornerbacks this draft cycle. He only played in six games this year due to a foot injury, but was a first-team All-American last season with the Wolverines.
He'd pair nicely opposite of Campbell and provide immediate help as a day one starter. Jacksonville only registered six interceptions last season.
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Johnson had two pick-sixes this season, going the distance after intercepting the opposing quarterback.
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Round 2, Pick 36: Nick Emmanwori , S, South Carolina
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
The Jaguars could potentially lose Cisco to free agency and would need a player who could come in and immediately start.
Emmanwori brings physicality and athleticism, while having experience playing in more than 30 games.
He recorded 83 tackles, three for a loss, with six pass breakups, four interceptions and two touchdowns last season for the Gamecocks .
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Round 3, Pick 70: Tate Ratledge, IOL, Georgia
With uncertainty about Scherff's future and the injuries to reserve guard Cooper Hodges , the Jaguars would do well to invest in the future of the offensive line.
Ratledge was a three-year starter at UGA and comes with plenty of playing experience. The team's top priority should be keeping Trevor Lawrence upright. This would be a move to do just that.
Round 3, Pick 92: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Dec 7, 2024; Arlington, TX, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9) and Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Kyan McDonald (38) in action during the game between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Arizona State Sun Devils at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Higgins is a big-body receiver who'd bring a different dynamic to Jacksonville's receiver room. He recorded 87 catches for 1,183 yards with nine touchdowns for the Cyclones last season.
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Paired with Brian Thomas Jr. , Higgins could be a top target for Lawrence for years to come.
Round 4, Pick 106: Zy Alexander, CB, LSU
Nov 30, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Zy Alexander (14) tackles Oklahoma Sooners running back Sam Franklin (20) during the fourth quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
If Alexander is still around in the fourth round, this would be a great selection. He could be a prospect who impresses scouts at the combine with his measurables.
With how relatively thin Jacksonville's secondary is, they could use a second day or third day pick to add more players to the room.
Round 4, Pick 129: Tyler Baron, EDGE, Miami
The Jaguars have had relatively good health and production out of their top two edge rushers. But they haven't had a consistent third pass rusher in recent years.
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Baron could be that piece for them. He recorded 18 solo tackles, 5.5 sacks and one forced fumble for the Hurricanes last year.
Round 5, Pick 141: Ajani Cornelius , OT, Oregon
Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius (65) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Jaguars could spend a day three pick to invest in the depth of their offensive line. Walker Little just received a contract extension, Anton Walker is still on his rookie deal and they drafted Javon Foster last year to be their swing tackle.
Cornelius was a four-year starter, including two years of starting at Oregon at right tackle.
Round 6, Pick 181: Howard Cross III, DL, Notre Dame
Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Howard Cross III (56) carries the trophy off the field after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Cross could add depth to Jacksonville's interior defensive line. He's registered 12 solo tackles and four sacks this season for Notre Dame amidst their National Championship run.
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The Jaguars have several interior defensive linemen under contract as it stands, but adding depth is never a bad thing.
Round 6, Pick 193: Malachi Moore , S, Alabama
Nov 30, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Malachi Moore (13) celebrates after a play against the Auburn Tigers during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-Imagn Images
As previously mentioned, the Jaguars will need help in the secondary this offseason. Moore registered 40 solo tackles, eight pass deflections, two interceptions and two forced fumbles for the Crimson Tide this year.
Moore could be a player who develops into a starter or carves out a special teams role for the club.
Round 7, Pick 221: Sai'vion Jones, EDGE, LSU
Tigers Saivion Jones 35 and Whit Weeks 40 celebrate after a fumble recovery as the LSU Tigers take on UCLA at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
Jones recorded 19 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks and forced two fumbles for LSU last season. He'd be a player, similar to Myles Cole last year, who the team could use as a project selection.
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He's listed 6-foot-6, 280 pounds and could develop into a solid depth player.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars NFL mock draft: Predicting all seven rounds
