Ranking Jaguars top four draft needs and how they might fill them

The speculation for the Jacksonville Jaguars first-round draft pick (the 17th overall position) has been all over the map. 

Most mock drafts and hints from team personnel center on either cornerback or wide receiver, which are glaring enough needs. 

But what about the offensive line, given left tackle Cam Robinson's injury history and the Jaguars' need for depth at guard and center? 

Who did the Jaguars draft?Tracking Jacksonville's selection in 2024 NFL Draft first round

The Jaguars were bullied on the interior of the defensive line at times last year. With the switch to a 4-3 defense under new coordinator Ryan Nielsen, would a defensive tackle be taken high? 

Could the team really pass over an edge rusher if a player such as Florida State's Jared Verse fell to them? 

On the eve of the 2024 NFL Draft, here are the Jaguars' four biggest needs and how they might fill them: 

1. The Jaguars need a wide receiver. Who fits? 

It's a deep draft at the position and there likely will be a player such as Brian Thomas of LSU, Adonai Mitchell of Texas or possibly even Rome Odunze of Washington available to the Jaguars. The Jags addressed the loss of Calvin Ridley by signing Gabe Davis of Buffalo but he's never had a 1,000-yard season and one could argue quarterback Trevor Lawrence can't have too many weapons. 

If the Jags go another direction with the first pick, a receiver such as Florida's Ricky Pearsall, Georgia's Ladd McConkey or Mitchell's running mate with the Longhorns, Xavier Worthy, might be there. 

2. The Jaguars need a cornerback. Who fits? 

Tyson Alexander is coming off an injury-plagued season. Darious Williams was released. The depth chart behind Campbell is Ronald Darby (30 years old), Buster Brown, Gregory Junior, Christian Braswell and Erick Hallett II.

All of that screams for an upgrade through the draft and like wide receiver, it's a deep draft and a half-dozen or so players have been projected for the first round. If Alabama's Terrion Arnold or Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell fall to the Jags, expect them to jump on either player. But they also could pluck Kool-Aid McKinstry of 'Bama or Ennis Rakestraw of Missouri if they are available in the second round. 

3. The Jaguars need a defensive tackle. Who fits? 

DaVon Hamilton is coming off a season in which he was rarely a factor because of a back injury. Roy Robertson-Harris, Jeremiah Ledbetter and Adam Gottis are 30 or older. The team is still waiting on 2023 draftee Tyler Lacy.

Arik Armstead was a huge free-agency signing but the Jaguars may decide to load up on big bodies on the defensive line if Byron Murphy II of Texas or Johnny Newton of Illinois are available. The need could be addressed on the second and third day with a batch of big tackles from Power Five conference teams. 

4. The Jaguars need offensive line depth. Who fits? 

The Jaguars offensive line came under fire last season, especially with the team's failure to execute in short-yardage situations. They addressed center with the signing of Mitch Morse from Buffalo but guards Brandon Scherff and Tyler Shatley are both 32 years old, Robinson has played only 23 of 36 games in the past two seasons and the jury remains out on Walker Little either at guard or tackle.

The Jags are likely to address OL in the first round only if a player such as Oregon State tackle Taliese Fuaga fell to No. 17. 

The Jags can address the line in later rounds, with the hopes that a player such as Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe or Connecticut guard Christian Haynes would be available in the second or third round.