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5 NFL Draft prospects Jaguars fans should watch at NFL Combine today
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- 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.
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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.
FUTURE STARS: NFL Combine: Jacksonville Jaguars want 'explosive' defender, hold No. 5 overall pick
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.
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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 linemen and EDGE rushers should Jaguars fans watch today?
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 25: Mason Graham #55 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after sacking Kyle McCord #6 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half in the game at Michigan Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776008979 ORIG FILE ID: 1813650116
Player to watch: Mason Graham , Michigan
Graham is one of the cleanest prospects in this year's draft class. While he might not have the firepower of Quinnene Williams or the sheer strength of Derrick Brown , he's close.
At 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, Graham packs a punch inside and has plenty of size to hold his own. He's shown his strength, quickness and power throughout his career at Michigan.
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In 39 games, Graham totaled nine sacks, 18 tackles for loss and 108 total tackles. He's thought to be one of the best players in this year's draft class by plenty of draft pundits, including NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah and ESPN's Mel Kiper.
Both have Graham ranked in the top five of their respective big boards.
"I feel like I affect every snap, run or pass. I feel like a dominant player, one of the most dominant players in this class," Graham said this week in Indianapolis when asked about being a "game wrecker" as a defensive tackle.
The Jaguars could use one of those after last year's showing. The team was one of the worst run defenses in the NFL last year, ranked 24th, giving up 132.6 rushing yards per game. The team was also the worst pass defense, giving up 257.4 yards per game.
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Others worth monitoring: Kenneth Grant , Michigan; Shemar Stewart , Texas A&M; James Pierce Jr., Tennessee ; Landon Jackson, Arkansas
When to tune in: Thursday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Jaguars NFL Draft needs include trenches, secondary
Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) celebrates after Ohio State misses a field goal during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
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.
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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:
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Round 1: (No. 5)
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Round 2: (No. 36)
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Round 3: (Nos. 70, 88)
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Round 4: (Nos. 105, 124)
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Round 5: (No. 141)
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Round 6: (Nos. 180, 192)
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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 .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: NFL Combine today: Jaguars draft prospects to watch
