Jacksonville Jaguars: Early Targets in the 2023 NFL Draft

Who could the Jacksonville Jaguars target early in the 2023 NFL Draft? Tight end, corner, and defensive line are positions to watch for.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made massive strides this season, most of them down the stretch, to reach the postseason for the first time since 2017. Head coach Doug Pederson and a second-year breakout from Trevor Lawrence engineered the success, as did help from Evan Engram, Christian Kirk, Tyson Campbell, and many more.

Making the playoffs and the divisional round was a successful season, but now that will be the standard. The AFC South could have new signal-callers next season, but the Jaguars are the best team there right now. This offseason, they’ll need to figure out how to keep that going.

Jacksonville Jaguars Early 2023 NFL Draft Needs

Decisions will need to be made, as the Jaguars are a little strapped with cash heading into the new league year. Engram, Jawaan Taylor, Arden Key, and Duwuane Smoot are key free agents. Josh Allen will be a free agent in 2024, and they’ll need to evaluate Calvin Ridley in 2023 for a potential extension heading into 2024 as well.

The 2023 NFL Draft will be where the Jacksonville Jaguars do a lot of retooling. They pick 24th (by removing the Dolphins forfeited pick), and there will be plenty of options for them. Who could they select? Let’s open the door with a plethora of options at a few specific positions.

Tight End

With where the Jacksonville Jaguars sit financially, it’s entirely possible that Evan Engram doesn’t return. If that’s the case, the value might be too good to pass up early in a loaded group, especially if GM Trent Baalke has a favorite.

If they stick with a type similar to Engram, two names stick out. Utah’s Dalton Kincaid has extremely rare quicks for the position, allowing him to gain natural separation as a smooth and effective route runner. His body control is excellent, and he has the leaping skills to high point the football and secure it with natural hands. Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave is the other. Musgrave clocked over 20 miles per hour in tracking technology down at the Senior Bowl, and that type of rare speed would be difficult to cover, especially with his size and widened catch radius.

If they want the well-rounded guy, Michael Mayer would be the pick. He’s not overly dominant in one area, but he offers the short area quicks through his stem and route breaks, and has great skills through contact as a pass catcher. He can work inline and flex out wide if that need presents itself.

Darnell Washington is the height/weight/speed player at tight end, and he’d offer Lawrence the biggest target of any in the draft. But, that’s not all. He’s a third tackle out there who provides a force multiplayer in the run game. Washington would be a nightmare in the red zone and give the Jaguars ample support up front to stick in a lot of 11 personnel.

Corner

The corner class is ludicrously good, and the Jacksonville Jaguars should surely take advantage. Guys like Christian Gonzalez and Devon Witherspoon would be home runs for the Jaguars at pick 24. But, with both likely leaving the board by this point, where else can the Jaguars turn?

South Carolina’s Cam Smith would be a really nice get. He plays an extremely physical brand of ball and can operate as a press-man corner. Joey Porter Jr. also brings that mindset as a player too. He needs to work on his off-coverage, but run support, instincts, it’s there.

Obviously, Kelee Ringo has the size and speed to be a turn and run guy. His ball skills are impressive, and those splash plays are complemented with great hustle. But, his stock is dropping. Emmanuel Forbes has a slighter frame, but the ball production, twitch in transition, and length to line up in press is there. He’s being undervalued right now.

Wide Receiver

Yes, Calvin Ridley is on the way, and Christian Kirk proved he can be the electric, chain-moving slot, but Marvin Jones and Zay Jones are likely replaceable as third and fourth wideouts. With reports swirling about the top receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft potentially falling to the late first round, Jacksonville could pounce if they want.

Quentin Johnston gives them a different type of receiver than Ridley or Kirk. Johnston can play above the rim at the catch point, and his ability to accelerate and decelerate on a whim is ridiculous. Whether it be staying tight on breaks or setting up moves post-catch, Johnston’s acceleration is difficult to handle. So is his post-catch prowess as a whole.

Defensive Line

There’s a chance we’re looking at a defensive line without Josh Allen in the near future (2024) so don’t rule out a look at edge rusher in the first round for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Combine that with a loaded 2023 group, and here we are.

His stock has been dropping a bit, but Isaiah Foskey is still a quality prospect with a strong go-to move, the cross chop, to win as a pass rusher. His length and power gives him the ability to sit, leverage, and set a strong edge. His athleticism jumps off the charts as well.

If they’re looking at the rising stock of Keion White, don’t rule that out either. Travon Walker is a bigger prospect as well (6’5″, 272), and even with White coming in at 6’4 1/2″, 280, his combination of explosiveness and power is better suited for the edge where he doesn’t get blown off the ball on early downs.

He struggled in 2022, but with so much on his mind and nagging injuries, Bryan Bresee would be an excellent selection for the Jaguars at 24. His attacking style would complement that of a Davon Hamilton in the middle.

Offensive Tackle

There was talk about the Jaguars selecting Evan Neal or another tackle last year, but they ultimately rolled with Walker at the top spot. This position will find its way onto the list if a deal can’t get done with Jawaan Taylor. If it does, no issues. If not, though, it becomes crucial to sustained success on offense.

The top three will likely be off the board, but Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison would be a strong pick here. He’s extremely strong and can uproot defensive ends in the run game, and has the athleticism and footwork to succeed in pass pro.

Darnell Wright and Dawand Jones are true right tackles who can also provide the solution there for Jacksonville.

A lot will be decided in the coming weeks when free agency begins, but right now, these positions look like potential holes for the Jacksonville Jaguars when the 2023 NFL Draft rolls around. They’ll get talented players to fall to them, and sustained success in the draft is what will prove that things are just getting started for them.