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NFL Draft: Jacksonville Jaguars to select fourth overall; would be first time since 2017
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- NFL Draft: Jacksonville Jaguars to select fourth overall; would be first time since 2017
Another week, another change in the NFL Draft projection for the Jacksonville Jaguars .
After picking up the team's 11th loss against the Jets on Sunday, the Jaguars moved up in draft order after falling from first to fifth overall last week. Currently, the team is slated to select fourth in this year's draft behind the Giants , Raiders and Patriots .
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The loss had only a small impact on the team's draft projection and the rest of the week's outcomes re-shuffled the top three teams without moving any of them below Jacksonville, according to Tankathon.com, which considers the current strength of schedule for all 32 teams.
There's still time for the Jaguars to select first overall for the third time in five years. The team's 3-11 record currently stands as tied for the fewest wins since the team won just one game in 2020 and three games in 2021.
POACHED: Detroit Lions to sign Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad LB Anthony Pittman
The Jaguars finish the season against the Las Vegas Raiders (away), Tennessee Titans (home) and the Indianapolis Colts (away).
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Have the Jaguars selected fourth overall in the NFL Draft before?
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Leonard Fournette (LSU) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he is selected as the number 4 overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, the Jaguars have selected fourth overall one other time in team history.
The team selected former LSU running back Leonard Fournette with the fourth-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. The selection came after the team went 3-13 during the 2016 season.
Fournette's career in Jacksonville was much like the team during his three seasons with the franchise, up and down. Fournette made an impact with the Jaguars right away, rushing for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games during this rookie season.
The Jaguars went on to play in the AFC Championship game that year thanks in part to Fournette's ability on the ground and the team's reliance on their rushing attack and strong defense.
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During his second season with the team, Fournette saw action in just eight games. He was injured for several matchups and suspended for another.
Fournette was released ahead of the 2020 season. In 2019, he ran for 1,152 yards and three rushing touchdowns (4.3 yards per carry). He added 76 receptions for 522 yards through the air in 15 games. Fournette was beat out by undrafted free agent rookie James Robinson.
After the Jaguars, Fournette played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three seasons where he won a Super Bowl in 2020-21. Fournette most recently suited up for the Buffalo Bills in 2023.
In his career, Fournette has started 61 games, rushing for 4,518 yards and 34 touchdowns. He's averaged 3.9 yards per carry.
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2025 NFL Draft order: Jaguars set to select fifth overall in Green Bay
The 2025 NFL Draft is slated to be held around Lambeau Field in the Titletown District in Green Bay, Wisconsin on April 24-26.
After Week 15, the Jaguars hold the fourth-overall pick.
Here is the current 2025 NFL Draft order, according to Tankathon.com :
| Pick |
Team |
Record |
SOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
New York Giants |
2-12 |
0.547 |
| 2 |
Las Vegas Raiders |
2-11 |
0.536 |
| 3 |
New England Patriots |
3-11 |
0.464 |
| 4 |
3-11 |
0.485 |
|
| 5 |
3-11 |
0.496 |
|
| 6 |
Tennessee Titans |
3-11 |
0.508 |
| 7 |
3-11 |
0.527 |
|
| 8 |
New York Jets |
4-10 |
0.506 |
| 9 |
4-9 |
0.555 |
|
| 10 |
5-9 |
0.494 |
|
| 11 |
6-8 |
0.426 |
|
| 12 |
Indianapolis Colts |
6-8 |
0.475 |
| 13 |
6-8 |
0.481 |
|
| 14 |
6-8 |
0.519 |
|
| 15 |
6-8 |
0.568 |
|
| 16 |
6-7 |
0.517 |
|
| 17 |
7-7 |
0.53 |
|
| 18 |
8-6 |
0.511 |
|
| 19 |
8-6 |
0.472 |
|
| 20 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
8-6 |
0.494 |
| 21 |
8-6 |
0.519 |
|
| 22 |
9-5 |
0.441 |
|
| 23 |
9-5 |
0.485 |
|
| 24 |
9-5 |
0.536 |
|
| 25 |
9-5 |
0.479 |
|
| 26 |
10-4 |
0.479 |
|
| 27 |
10-4 |
0.543 |
|
| 28 |
11-2 |
0.485 |
|
| 29 |
Buffalo Bills |
11-3 |
0.462 |
| 30 |
12-2 |
0.443 |
|
| 31 |
12-2 |
0.534 |
|
| 32 |
13-1 |
0.485 |
Current 2025 NFL Draft order per Tankathon.com
2025 NFL Draft mock: Jaguars select Michigan CB Will Johnson
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 05: Will Johnson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a missed field goal by Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Jaguars still aren't in a likely position to select Colorado cornerback/receiver and 2024 Heisman winner Travis Hunter after falling from the No. 1 spot. There simply aren't enough quarterbacks in this year's draft with two — Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward — who are widely thought to be fringe top-five picks.
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Still, that doesn't mean the Jaguars can't address one of their weakest positions on the team right now — cornerback.
Last week, we went away from the corner position, opting for Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham . This week, we can stick with the Wolverines, though, and select Michigan cornerback Will Johnson who is widely believed to be one of the top corners in this year's draft with some that will eventually have him over Hunter as draft fatigue kicks in.
Still, there's plenty of reason to believe Johnson can be just as effective at corner as Hunter will likely be. At 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, Johnson is a bigger player than Hunter at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds and has just as much athletic ability.
In six games this year, Johnson accounted for three pass breakups, two interceptions and two touchdowns. He added 14 total tackles and one tackle for loss. Johnson's injury-riddled season in 2024 could give some general managers pause, but only for a brief moment.
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During his sophomore season with Michigan, Johnson set himself apart as a clear top corner in college football. He shut down multiple top-level receivers and earned First-Team All-American honors in 2023. He also is a two-time All-Big Ten selection, a consensus first team, coaches and media in 2023 and second team, media, honorable mention, coaches in 2024.
Johnson would help solidify Jacksonville's secondary opposite Tyson Campbell . The Jaguars rank dead last in pass defense this year giving up 264.3 yards per game through the air.
Last week, the Jaguars had no answer for Jets receiver Davante Adams . Adams posted 198 receiving yards in the second half alone.
They need help.
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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 Draft: If Jacksonville Jaguars pick 4th, Will Johnson ideal pick
