1010XL Draft Guide: Weekly roundtable #1

Welcome to the first edition of our 2024 NFL Draft weekly roundtable! All the football heads at 1010XL/92.5 FM have gathered to preview the upcoming draft in April.

Today’s question: What is the Jaguars’ biggest positional need following its 2023 season?

Dave Campo: At this time, not knowing the status of Calvin Ridley, Josh Allen and Cam Robinson, it’s a little tough to answer. But if I’m held to the fire, I would say strengthen the lines of scrimmage! Either an interior offensive lineman, preferably a center, or an interior defensive tackle!

Hays Carlyon: Offensive line: Got to protect Trevor Lawrence better.

Mike Dempsey: The Jaguars’ biggest need is interior offensive line.  They will likely have to replace both guards and could stand to upgrade at center, as well.

Ryan “Hacker” Green: Offensive Line… I know it’s not the most glamorous and exciting position, but after what we saw this year, you gotta get some guys on the line of scrimmage to help this offense.

Matt Hayes: A big body. I don’t care which side of the ball. This team has to get bigger, stronger and younger on the interior lines of scrimmage.

Gus Logue: I think the right answer is interior o-line but to be contrarian I’ll go with wide receiver. As much as Trevor Lawerence needs capable blocking up front, he also needs dependable weapons downfield. Calvin Ridley, Jamal Agnew, and Tim Jones all set to hit free agency (and possibly Zay Jones, who could be cut to save $4.5 million in cap space). Christian Kirk is arguably a low-end WR1 but more short- and long-term options should be added.

Mia O’Brien: Given that I expect the Jaguars to bring in supplementary pieces on defense via free agency that new DC Ryan Nielson has worked with previously: I believe the biggest positional need for the Jaguars is at Offensive Line, albeit with a caveat. Anton Harrison is a building block you can build around, and I believe Walker Little can be, too — if finally given a full-time opportunity. I don’t think the door has firmly closed on Luke Fortner’s ceiling and growth. But aside from those 1 to maybe 3 pieces, you have yet to bring in pieces that can grow with Trevor Lawrence. It has been stop-gap, band-aid fix after stop-gap band-aid fix. The Jaguars have an opportunity to end that streak in an offensive line-rich Draft class.

Tony Smith: Interior Offensive Line. An aging veteran guard on one side who they could move on from and save money that they might need (Scherff), a free agent at the other guard spot (Cleveland), and a third year center that wasn’t any better and by most metrics was worse in year two at center (Fortner). Given the depth of the IOL in this draft they don’t necessarily have to address it in round one, but it should be a strong consideration early and often in the draft.

Follow along as we rank each position group leading up to the draft!

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Offensive Tackles

Interior Offensive Linemen

Tight Ends

Cornerbacks

Safeties

Edge Defenders

Defensive Tackles

Inside Linebackers