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Jacksonville Jaguars mock draft: Whom will team pick in first 3 rounds of NFL Draft?
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- Jacksonville Jaguars mock draft: Whom will team pick in first 3 rounds of NFL Draft?
The Jacksonville Jaguars are nearly a month away from the 2025 NFL Draft.
The team's new leadership council featuring head coach Liam Coen , general manager James Gladstone and executive vice president Tony Boselli have hit the ground running this offseason.
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After making some roster renovations including releasing tight end Evan Engram and trading wide receiver Christian Kirk , the team brought in nine new free agent players to supplement the team.
Several of those players are projected to be starters including cornerback Jourdan Lewis , center Robert Hainsey and offensive lineman Patrick Mekari .
The investment in those players created the opportunity for the Jaguars to go into the draft with a flexible mindset.
Prior to free agency, the team was certain to have to spend several picks on the offensive line including potentially their No. 5 overall selection.
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Now, they'll be able to approach the draft and take either the best player available or the player they want the most as opposed to the player they need.
It also gives them the ability to trade up or down the board as they see fit. For this exercise we opted not to accept any trades, though the team may decide to do otherwise.
Let's take a look at our latest 3-round mock draft.
Round 1, No. 5: Tetairoa McMillan , WR, Arizona Wildcats
Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) of the Arizona Wildcats makes a reception against Texas Tech.
With what the Jaguars achieved through NFL free agency, the board will be wide open for them to take whatever player they want. Tetairoa McMillan could be that player for the team.
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Pairing quarterback Trevor Lawrence with McMillan, while already having Brian Thomas Jr. on the team, would give him the best assortment of offensive talent around him since entering the NFL.
McMillan will likely be the first receiver off the board and already spoke highly of playing with Thomas during the NFL Combine .
Round 2, Pick No. 36: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss Rebels
Sep 28, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive back Trey Amos (9) breaks up a pass intended for Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Dane Key (6) during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
It's increasingly likely the team will address their outside cornerback position with one of the early picks in April. Amos would be a player who could come in and compete for the starting position early.
He flashed last season for the Rebels, recording 39 tackles, 13 pass deflections, three interceptions and a forced fumble.
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With Tyson Campbell securely in one spot and Ronald Darby released last week, the second cornerback spot is up for grabs.
Round 3, Pick No. 70: Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State Nittany Lions
Sep 16, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Kevin Winston Jr. (21) tackles Illinois Fighting Illini running back Josh McCray (0) after McCray caught a short pass during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
I'll be the first to admit, this pick was a bit of a reach. The board fell differently than expected and Winston was one of the top safeties available when the clock started.
Due to the departure of Andre Cisco in free agency, it was important to get another player in the building. But Winston likely won't beat out projected starters Darnell Savage or Eric Murray .
Still, getting him would add another body to a position of need going forward.
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Round 3, Pick No. 88: Tate Ratledge, OL, Georgia Bulldogs
Nov 23, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) blocks against Massachusetts Minutemen defensive end Zukudo Igwenagu (10) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Just because they brought in several free agent players for the offensive line doesn't mean they can't spend an early-round pick on one.
Ratledge has experience as a starter and could provide depth for the line if the team needs it.
And if they don't need him this season, he's a starter in waiting. A year of experience in the league while learning Coen's system could propel him to a long career for Jacksonville.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars mock draft: Whom should they select in NFL Draft?
