Free agency wrap: Projecting Jaguars 53-man roster and draft plan

By Hays Carlyon

We’ve made it to April. The NFL Draft buzz will now hit new levels as the first round unfolds on the 25^th.

The Jaguars were active in free agency, strengthening the roster in a multitude of ways.

Now, comes the part in the offseason where championships are truly won. If Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke can deliver a fantastic draft haul, there’s no reason the Jaguars can’t contend for the AFC South title and a deep run in the playoffs. The Jaguars currently have eight picks.

So, what do the Jaguars need? We all have ideas, but nothing hammers the point home like seeing how the potential 53-man roster stacks up heading into the draft.

With that in mind, here is my projection of where the 53-man roster stands.

OFFENSE (25 players)

QUARTERBACK (3)

Who: Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones and CJ Beathard.

Why: I don’t like keeping three but that’s where this appears to be headed as a league trend. I would’ve cut Beathard after trading for Jones. I just think you need the roster spot at another position.

RUNNING BACK (3)

Who: Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby and D’Ernest Johnson.

Why: A fourth will need to be added eventually, either in a late-round selection or an inexpensive journeyman.

RECEIVER (6)

Who: Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, Zay Jones, Devin Duvernay, Parker Washington and Elijah Cooks.

Why: Davis was a smart signing and lessens the void left with Calvin Ridley’s departure to Tennessee. The trio of Kirk, Davis and Jones is pretty good but the Jaguars need to add early in the draft. Maybe not with the 17^th pick, but certainly by the comp-third selection (No. 96). The sweet spot to me would be the second rounder (No. 48). I would endorse a trade up to get the loser of the Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers battle as the draft’s top receiver, especially if quarterbacks go with the first four picks of the draft.

TIGHT END (4)

Who: Evan Engram, Brenton Strange, Luke Farrell and Josiah Deguara.

Why: Engram is a standout and Farrell is reliable in his small role. Strange is a major X-Factor. Will the second-round pick in 2023 become a significant contributor? Early in the process, I thought Brock Bowers would be fantastic if he fell to 17. I’d still like it, but I doubt that’s the road I’d take now even if he’s there. I’m assuming Deguara, who the team just signed, supplants Doug Pederson’s son, Josh.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)

Who: Cam Robinson, Ezra Cleveland, Mitch Morse, Brandon Scherff, Anton Harrison, Walker Little, Luke Fortner, Cooper Hodges and Blake Hance.

Why: Morse was the biggest upgrade in free agency since Fortner struggled so much in his second season. Many fans still want the Jaguars to invest one of their first two picks on an offensive lineman. I don’t see it. Unless a special value falls to them, I would be surprised to see this room get significant draft help.

DEFENSE (25 players)

DEFENSIVE LINE (6)

Who: Arik Armstead, Roy Robertson-Harris, DaVon Hamilton, Tyler Lacy, Adam Gotsis and Jeremiah Ledbetter.

Why: Armstead was the best move of the offseason in terms of adding star talent. He can be a terror for opposing offenses. I’m excited to see what Armstead, Robertson-Harris and a healthy Hamilton can do. They have to see what they have in Lacy, a fourth-round pick from a year ago. I would say this is more of a minimal need than many believe.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (5)

Who: Josh Allen, Travon Walker, Trevis Gipson, Yasir Abdullah and De’Shaan Dixon.

Why: The combo of Allen and Walker is elite. The depth is a major question mark again. My favorite pick at 17 would be Jared Verse, but I doubt he’s there. I would think this position gets help by the end of the third round.

INSIDE LINEBACKER (4)

Who: Foye Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, Chad Muma and Ventrell Miller.

Why: Oluokun is a great player and leader who was just rewarded with an extension. Lloyd (first round), Muma (third round) and Miller (fourth round) are all recent picks that need to either elevate their respective game or stay healthy. Under no circumstances should the Jaguars draft another inside linebacker.

CORNERBACK (4)

Who: Tyson Campbell, Ronald Darby, Montaric Brown and Christian Braswell.

Why: If seeing Darby’s name second here doesn’t convince you that the team needs to take a corner at 17, I don’t know what to tell you. The cornerback spot is in dire need of a significant draft investment. If the Jaguars can jump up to the sixth pick to get Harrison or Nabers, then I’d understand. Otherwise, the 17^th pick needs to be either Terrion Arnold or Quinyon Mitchell. It’s possible but doubtful that both will be gone. If both are off the board, a trade back would be a fantastic option if Baalke can find a partner.

SAFETY (6)

Who: Andre Cisco, Darnell Savage, Antonio Johnson, Andrew Wingard, Daniel Thomas and Erick Hallett.

Why: We’re keeping a larger than normal number but for good reason. For now, it appears the nickel spot will be more of a safety responsibility with the versatile Savage and Johnson likely splitting time at the role. This is another position the Jaguars should definitely ignore in the draft.

SEPCIALISTS (3)

Who: Joey Slye (kicker), Logan Cooke (punter) and Ross Matiscik (long snapper).

Why: Slye is the question mark. With the draft talent pool being as historically shallow as it is, I would have no problem in the Jaguars taking a kicker in the seventh round. Cooke and Matiscik are elite.

CONCLUSION

The best path for the Jaguars in the draft if the stay at their current spots and no player unexpectedly drops to them is as follows: cornerback at 17, receiver at 48 and edge at 96. An offensive and defensive lineman with both fourth-round selections would make sense.

The roster is in good shape. Jaguars owner Shad Khan has allowed Baalke to spend to the salary cap and that should be appreciated.

Pederson has a roster he should be able to win with this season, but it is up to Baalke and his team to bring in some immediate production in the draft.

(You can email Hays at [email protected] and follow him on X/Twitter @HaysCarlyon).