Story by
Jacksonville Jaguars 7-round NFL mock draft: Heavy lean on defense to bolster struggling unit
- Story by
- Jacksonville Jaguars 7-round NFL mock draft: Heavy lean on defense to bolster struggling unit
The Jacksonville Jaguars are hours away from being on the clock for the 2025 NFL Draft .
The finishing touches are being put on their draft board. They are making final preparations to make sure it's a smooth operation as the new leadership conducts their first draft here.
Advertisement
The scouting and evaluation process is complete.
The plan is in place.
All that's left to do is send their picks in and make phone calls to congratulate the newest members of the Jaguars organization.
While this is an oversimplification of the next few days, we are very close to the start of the NFL Draft and the Times-Union is presenting our final mock draft.
Trade Scenario: Why Jacksonville Jaguars should pick Travis Hunter, trade up for Heisman winner in NFL Draft
We've produced several mock drafts over the last few months attempting to use our best insight to predict what the team will do with their 10 draft selections this year.
Advertisement
Our most recent mock prior to this one was produced by beat reporter Demetrius Harvey . In his final mock, Harvey selected Michigan's Mason Graham with his first-round pick. From there he selected players that'll elevate the team at several positions of need.
We hope to do the same with our final mock draft.
After speaking with James Gladstone and Liam Coen during the pre-draft availability a few key things became clear. The team is looking for "intangibly rich" players to join their roster and are keeping their thought process very close to the vest heading into the weekend.
Jacksonville Jaguars Owner Shad Khan, left, listens as Jacksonville Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone, center, explained what he was bringing to the table during a press conference Monday morning February 24, 2025 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. as Head Coach Liam Coen, right, listened. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]2025
Gladstone explained the philosophy behind not hosting Top 30 visits . We looked at his history in Los Angeles with rookie draft picks and undrafted free agents .
Advertisement
Coen gave an update on the state of Jacksonville's receiver room and noted they'll be looking to add to the group through the draft.
We took a look at the best and worst draft picks in franchise history. And kept our ears tuned for the latest rumors around the league surrounding the team.
Using the months of information we've gathered and insights to the current state of the Jaguars, we produced one last mock draft.
Here it is.
Round 1, Pick No. 7: Jalon Walker , LB, Georgia
Josh Smith (96) of the Kent State Golden Flashes has the punt blocked by Jalon Walker (11) of the Georgia Bulldogs.
The first pick for Jacksonville in this mock ended up being at No. 7 overall after a trade with the New York Jets swapped first-round picks and gave the Jaguars No. 42 overall.
Advertisement
The additional second-round pick was enticing enough to move back, especially since the two players we ended up landing will have an immediate impact on the roster.
We selected University of Georgia pass rusher Jalon Walker with our first pick. He fits the mold for what the new leadership of the Jaguars is looking for.
Gladstone has referenced intangibly rich players at every turn since his hiring and there might not be a more rich, with intangibles, player than Walker.
The 6-1, 243 pound pass rusher appeared in 43 games for the Bulldogs during his collegiate career. He recorded 89 total tackles with 19 for a loss, 12.5 sacks and one forced fumble in three seasons at UGA.
Advertisement
It's not an eye-popping pick and won't have the immediate payout that some of the other available players might. But with Walker, the Jaguars are filling a positional need with a player who can become a staple of the franchise.
Jalon Walker (11) of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after making a sack during the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns.
The linebacker position is one that does not have many long-term solutions. Foye Oluokun is only under contract for the next two seasons. Devin Lloyd is entering the last year of his rookie deal and the team has yet to pick up his fifth-year option.
Chad Muma is also in the last year of his rookie contract and has failed to emerge as a capable starter. Ventrell Miller took several positive steps last season but has had health bouts in his first two seasons in the league—entirely missing his rookie season with an Achilles injury and suffering an injury to his hand in training camp last season.
Advertisement
Walker provides the versatility and stability needed for Jacksonville's defense. He could immediately slot in as a starter at linebacker.
He'd be a traditional backer next to Oluokun on early downs and be an edge rusher on third downs or obvious passing situations. From there Travon Walker could be deployed inside and would add another body to have on the defensive line.
Or if the team feels he's not ready to immediately start, Jalon could start his career as a depth player behind pass rushers Travon and Josh Hines-Allen .
Either way, this would be a move with the future in mind and staying true to the Jacksonville's pursuit of intangibly rich players as they continue to build out their roster.
Advertisement
Round 2, Pick No. 36: Trey Amos , CB, Ole Miss
Trey Amos #9 of the Mississippi Rebels reacts after making an interception in the fourth quarter during their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks.
We addressed one of Jacksonville's most glaring needs with the second selection in the draft.
Trey Amos is a player who can come in and be a day one starter for the team at boundary cornerback. The Jaguars have Tyson Campbell occupying one starting position at corner but the spot opposite of him doesn't project a proven starting-caliber defender.
The Jaguars signed Jourdan Lewis via free agency and he's projected to be the starter at nickel. Second-year defensive back Jarrian Jones or reserve corner Buster Brown would be the presumed starter if the Jaguars don't address the position early during the draft.
Advertisement
But in this scenario, the team opts to take a player with a lot of football under his belt and someone who'll slot in as a key to Jacksonville's future.
Trey Amos (9) of the Mississippi Rebels reacts during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats.
Amos appeared in 61 games during his college career across three schools. He played three seasons at Louisiana, one at Alabama and finished his career at Ole Miss.
He recorded 121 total tackles, 31 pass deflections and four interceptions with three of them coming as a member of the Rebels last season.
The 6-1, 195 pound corner is sticky in coverage and plays with an intensity that's needed to survive at the next level.
Round 2, Pick No. 42: Kenneth Grant , DT, Michigan
Kenneth Grant (78) of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after defeating the Washington Huskies.
There have been several mock drafts that had the Jaguars taking a Michigan defensive tackle with one of their early picks. It just wasn't this Michigan defensive tackle.
Advertisement
We waited a few rounds and elected to take Kenneth Grant with the pick we acquired in the earlier trade with the New York Jets. Grant is a player who has a first round grade from some scouts, so the ability to add another key defensive piece to our unit was too good to pass up.
The combination of Grant and Jalon, when paired with other players along Jacksonville's defensive front, could be the start in a new era of dominance for Jacksonville's defense.
Kenneth Grant (78) of the Michigan Wolverines reacts to a first half sack while playing the Northwestern Wildcats.
It's been coined several times since it's inception but it'd truly be the start of Sacksonville 2.0.
Standing at 6-4, 331 pounds, Grant is an imposing presence on the defensive line. But he's athletic enough to deploy a full tool bag of pass rushing moves.
Advertisement
And again, he's a player who fits the intangibly rich mold the team is searching for.
Round 3, Pick No. 70: Tate Ratledge , OG, Georgia
Carson Beck (15) and Tate Ratledge (69) of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrate after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Tennessee Volunteers.
The work the Jaguars did in free agency allowed them flexibility.
They invested in their offensive line by bringing in Robert Hainsey and Patrick Mekari as projected starters. Then they doubled down by adding depth player Chuma Edoga and brought back Cole Van Lanen .
Now, they're in a position where they can select players to develop behind-the-scenes. Enter Tate Ratledge .
Ratledge appeared in 38 games for the Bulldogs and can be a starter in waiting at left guard. Protecting Trevor Lawrence is of optimal importance, and getting a jump on a preparing a player is the forward thinking the Jaguars need.
Advertisement
Round 3, Pick No. 88: Darien Porter , CB, Iowa State
Darien Porter of Iowa State speaks to the media during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
Wait, we selected a cornerback in the second-round. Why get another one in the third?
It's the same forward thinking that led us to select Ratledge. Darien Porter is a wide receiver turned cornerback with some impressive athleticism.
He has top-end speed, running a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash, and a good frame at 6-3, 195 pounds. He has good hands—snagging three interceptions for the Cyclones last season.
With the lack of proven depth at boundary cornerback, he could find his way onto the field sooner than later. Campbell has had injury bouts in the last few seasons and cornerback is too important of a position to leave unattended due to injury.
Advertisement
Round 4, Pick No. 107: Tyler Baron , EDGE, Miami
Quarterback Daniel Richardson (10) of the Florida A&M Rattlers is under pressure from defensive lineman Tyler Baron (9) of the Miami Hurricanes.
The Jaguars have rolled the dice in their pass rusher room for the last several seasons. They need surefire answers if something were to happen to Travon Walker or Hines-Allen.
Tyler Baron could be a solution for them in that department.
Baron has played a lot of ball, appearing in 61 games during his collegiate career. He used his fifth-year of elgibility to transfer to Miami after spending four seasons at Tennessee .
He's 6-5, 258 pounds and has the versatility to be deployed in different ways along the defensive front.
Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Draft history: 30 years, from Tony Boselli to Brian Thomas Jr.
Advertisement
Round 4, Pick No. 126: Jaylen Reed , S, Penn State
Jeremiah Hunter (6) of the Washington Huskies catches a pass and is tackled by Jaylen Reed (1) of the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Jaylen Reed might be the sleeper pick of this mock draft class. Safety isn't an immediate need for Jacksonville after they signed Eric Murray and proceed with veteran Darnell Savage in his second-year with the team.
But similar to several other positions, they don't have long-term solutions. Reed is a player who could take root and become a longtime starter at the position.
He appeared in 51 games at Penn State and showed some serious versatility in his last two seasons. Reed logged 144 tackles with 11 for a loss, five interceptions, four pass deflections and 3.5 sacks during his junior and senior years.
Advertisement
With the skill to cover pass catchers and ability to lay jarring hits to opponents, he's a gem of a pick on Day 3 of the draft.
Round 5, Pick No. 142: Pat Bryant , WR, Illinois
Pat Bryant (13) of the Illinois Fighting Illini is pushed out of bounds on the 1 yard line against Kansas.
To be completely truthful, the board fell differently than anticipated. In previous mocks, we've opted to address wide receiver much earlier.
But in this instance it kind of works out.
Pat Bryant is a Duval native, graduating from Atlantic Coast High School, and would be a welcomed addition to Jacksonville's receiver room.
Pat Bryant (13) of the Illinois Fighting Illini in action against the Wyoming Cowboys.
At 6-2, 204 pounds, Bryant has a different play-style and build than the current members of the receiver room. He's a player who can go up and snag passes, something Trevor Lawrence and Coen will certainly look to exploit.
Advertisement
He put together a solid collegiate career with 137 receptions for 2,095 yards and 17 touchdowns. He tabbed a strong final campaign with 10 touchdowns and nearly logged an 1,000-yard season for the Illini last year.
1010XL reporter Mia O'Brien noted that Bryant said he's had a lot of contact with the Jaguars during this draft process, including meetings during the Senior Bowl, NFL Combine, multiple zoom calls and conversations with his high school coaches.
It's also key to remember that Coen mentioned the team was impressed with several later-round prospects at receiver. Bryant certainly appears to be one of the players they've taken a liking to so he makes our mock.
Round 6, Pick No. 182: Jordan James , RB, Oregon
Jordan James (20) of the Oregon Ducks warms up before the game against the Boise State Broncos.
It took a while but we finally selected consecutive offensive players.
Advertisement
Jacksonville's running back room is quietly one of the biggest areas of concern going into the draft. Travis Etienne is on the last year of his contract, Tank Bigsby is still largely viewed as inconsistent and Keilan Robinson missed most of his rookie season due to injury.
Jordan James would be a welcomed addition to Jacksonville after leading Oregon in rushing yards last season. He also recorded 26 catches for the Ducks, an area of emphasis by Coen and his staff as they implement their system.
The power of James mixed with his quickness makes for a good change of pace back and could mirror what Coen did with Bucky Irving last season.
Round 6, Pick No. 194: Jack Nelson, OT, Wisconsin
Jack Nelson of Wisconsin participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine.
Three consecutive picks on offense, imagine that.
Advertisement
By this point in the draft it's throwing darts at the board. Jack Nelson adds depth in an offensive line room that goes two-deep on the interior but might be a bit thin at tackle depth if certain reserve players are called into action.
Nelson moves well for a person who's 6-7, 312 pounds and could be featured as an extra blocker in run-heavy formations.
Round 7, Pick No. 221: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DT, Georgia
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (93) of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up prior to a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Project player.
This is the pick to take a risk on and bring in a player who would otherwise be an undrafted free agent, but you don't want to potentially be outbid.
We chose to use this pick on Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins for his measurables and high testing at the combine. He landed at 9.79 RAS and was the second-highest graded player at his position, athletically.
He's 6-5, 276 pounds and would do well as a player to develop and teach prior to putting him on the field.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars NFL mock draft: Early trade, emphasis on defense
