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Jacksonville Jaguars three-round mock draft includes trade down for top offensive talent
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- Jacksonville Jaguars three-round mock draft includes trade down for top offensive talent
The Jacksonville Jaguars are nearly done with all NFL Draft preparations in the lead-up to the NFL's main event of the offseason.
The team holds 10 draft selections this year and will likely want to acquire more throughout the draft if general manager James Gladstone gets his way.
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"That's my experience most recently with the Los Angeles Rams and that's something I feel I have a unique capacity to take on with the current position that we hold, which is 10 picks this year, 11 picks next year," Gladstone said shortly after the start of the new league year.
"So, with pro-free agency, we wanted to set ourselves up so that we feel like we have the flexibility to address any position we want to at any pick point that lies on the horizon and it feels like we're currently in a position to do just that."
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The Jaguars invested responsibly during free agency, locking in a couple of should-be starters on both sides of the ball, particularly in the secondary with cornerback Jourdan Lewis and safety Eric Murray , along with guard Patrick Mekari and center Robert Hainsey . Receiver Dyami Brown will also see significant playing time this year.
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Overall, the Jaguars signed 10 players during free agency:
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CB Jourdan Lewis , Cowboys
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QB Nick Mullens , Vikings
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TE Johnny Mundt , Vikings
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TE Hunter Long , Rams
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WR Dyami Brown , Commanders
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S Eric Murray , Texans
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OL Patrick Mekari , Ravens
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OT Chuma Edoga , Cowboys
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OL Fred Johnson , Eagles
But, what will they do in this month's draft?
What picks do the Jaguars have in the 2025 NFL Draft?
A man paints a fence in anticipation of the 2025 NFL draft on Sept. 2, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis.
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)
Jaguars three-round mock includes first-round trade down
Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone spoke with media on Thursday from the Miller Electric Center.
Gladstone is in direct control of the NFL Draft for Jacksonville. Coen will have input, as will Boselli, but ultimately it will be Gladstone's decisions on who the team takes and when.
Though the Los Angeles Rams have proven to be daredevils when it comes to their draft picks in the past, with Rams GM Les Snead famously donning a peculiar t-shirt demonstrating his lack of care regarding draft picks during the Super Bowl parade in 2022.
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The Rams made several blockbuster trades during the early portions of the Sean McVay-Snead era, including one with the Jacksonville Jaguars for cornerback Jalen Ramsey .
Lately, though, the Rams have changed their overall philosophy. In 2023, Los Angeles selected the most players in the NFL Draft with 14. They selected 10 players in last year's draft. Famously, the Rams traded up in last year's draft to select Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske to pair him with first-rounder Jared Verse , who played with Fiske at FSU.
The two drafts and methods showcased LA's flexibility when it comes to retaining or trading away picks for value.
For Jacksonville, that formula ought to be similar. In this week's mock draft we decided to trade back, acquiring more picks for Gladstone during the team's rebuild.
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Using Pro Football Focus' mock draft simulator, we traded back with the Carolina Panthers , acquiring picks No. 8 and 57 (second round) for pick No. 5. The Panthers traded up to select Mason Graham to complete their defensive line after signing Tershawn Wharton in free agency to bookend Derrick Brown in Carolina's 3-4 scheme.
Carolina signing former Rams DL Bobby Brown III could, but should not be a factor here.
Jacksonville selected one of the top three offensive players in this year's draft: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren .
Round 1, Pick 8 (trade, Carolina): Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren (44) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Boise State Broncos in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium.
Jacksonville taking Warren here might shock some fans due to positional value and Coen's track record at the position, but the Penn State tight end is different and can be used more than a typical tight end.
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In five years at Penn State, Warren totaled 153 catches for 1,839 yards and 19 touchdowns. His breakout season came last year with 104 catches for 1,233 yards and eight scores. Warren earned seventh place in voting for the Hesiman Trophy and earned the John Mackey Award, given to the nation's top tight end.
Warren, 6-foot-5, 256 pounds, can completely redefine an offense due to his versatility as a blocker and as a pass-catcher. He is the most complete tight end in this year's class. Pairing him with Brian Thomas Jr. will give Lawrence sure-handed pass catchers for years to come.
Round 2, Pick 36: Xavier Watts , S, Notre Dame
Sep 28, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) celebrates after an interception against the Louisville Cardinals in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
The Jaguars signed Murray in free agency to start at safety, but could still use a player to replace the 31-year-old safety at some point in the not-so-distant future.
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Watts, 6-foot, 204 pounds, is one of the top safeties in this year's draft and could fit in right away in Jacksonville's defense. The team has safety Darnell Savage , but his role has not yet been defined. Watts will bring stability to the unit right away.
In five years at Notre Dame, Watts totaled 117 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss, 13 interceptions and 18 pass breakups. He totaled all 13 interceptions over the last two years as a true ball-hawking safety.
Round 2, Pick 57 (trade, Carolina): Tyleik Williams , DL, Ohio State
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (91) against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Jaguars use their additional second-round pick acquired from the Panthers to address the team's defensive line and Williams is one of the top run-stuffers in this year's draft.
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Noted as a "drain-clogged run defender" by NFL Media's draft expert Lance Zierlein, Williams could immediately replace DaVon Hamilton in the middle of Jacksonville's defense. Hamilton has not returned to form since sustaining a back ailment ahead of the 2023 season, forcing him to miss much of that year.
At 6-foot-3, 334 pounds, Williams is an ideal replacement and will help Jacksonville's 24th-ranked run defense rise in 2025.
In four years at Ohio State, Williams totaled 28 tackles for loss, 136 total tackles, 10 pass breakups, 11.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Round 3, Pick 70: Jalen Royals , WR, Utah State
Sep 30, 2023; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Utah State Aggies wide receiver Jalen Royals (1) makes the catch against UConn Huskies defensive back D'Mon Brinson (3) in the second quarter at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
One of the most reliable wideouts in this year's draft, Royals could give Jacksonville insurance in the event Gabe Davis never recovers from multiple knee injuries sustained in the lead-up to and during last season.
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At 6-foot, 205 pounds, Royals has the size to play on the perimeter and showcased that ability plenty at Utah State as the team's most-reliable pass-catcher. In three years at the Mountain West school, Royals totaled 126 catches for 1,914 yards and 21 touchdowns. He posted a conference-best 15 touchdowns in 2023.
Royals is not the most dynamic receiver in the draft, but he showcased ideal instincts and solid route-running in addition to his sure-handedness to thrive at the next level.
Round 3, Pick 88: Tate Ratledge , G, Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Tate Ratledge blocks against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
Even after signing four offensive linemen during free agency, Jacksonville shouldn't be done as they attempt to remake their offensive line depth chart.
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Enter Ratledge, a 6-foot-6, 308-pound brusing, mullet-wearing guard out of Georgia. Ratledge is a highly athletic guard who fits in multiple schemes and could become a starter as early as this season, but almost definitely next year, when the team will decide what to do with left guard Ezra Cleveland .
According to PFF, Ratledge gave up just two sacks in 1,180 pass-blocking reps across three years starting for the Bulldogs. He gave up just 18 pressures and was overall graded positively. He graded out well in run-blocking, too, and operated out of both schemes at Georgia.
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: Jacksonville Jaguars take Tyler Warren in three-round trade-down mock
