Saturday, August 29, 2020

Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Mock Draft Roundup, 2.0

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Jacksonville Jaguars Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Jacksonville Jaguars from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Jaguars:

Rotoworld - Nystrom (8/21)

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

As with most top prospects who drew scouts' eyes early in their careers, Trevor Lawrence started to get nitpicked a bit over the summer as folks dove into his tape. He wasn't as mechanically sound as some would like for a presumptive top-pick candidate, Tee Higgins salvaged oodles of yards for him downfield on jump balls, etc. I'd caution against overthinking this one. Lawrence is a prodigy, an elite pocket passer with a big frame and a strong arm who also happens to be a strong athlete, capable of inflicting damage as a runner and making plays outside of structure. He's going to keep getting better.

11. Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

A skyscraper with athleticism, Cosmi is a prototype left tackle, a 6-foot-7, 310-pounder with smooth-shuffling agility. He needs some technical work, sure, but only Penei Sewell among the top-20 or so preseason 2021 NFL Draft OT prospects out-graded him by PFF's metrics in each of the past two years. With Trevor Lawrence locked up, the Jags go looking for their next Tony Boselli to protect him.

PFF - Renner (8/19)

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Lawrence has been "the guy" ever since he was in high school. He was "the guy" once again when he broke the PFF true freshman QB grading record with a 90.6 passing grade, and then after some early-season hiccups that saw him pressing a bit, Lawrence regained his elite status down the stretch of 2019 with a 90.8 passing grade from Week 4 on. However, he'll have to really do it this year now that his top two targets from last season -- Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross -- are gone.

What sets him apart from the rest is his prodigious arm strength combined with a quick release. He's taken fewer sacks in his college career (32) than Justin Fields has (36) despite dropping back 393 more times and dealing with a far worse offensive line from a grading perspective.

11. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

The Jaguars' cornerback room went from being the best in the NFL to a question mark overnight. Pairing Farley up with 2020 top-10 pick C.J. Henderson could bring them back to the former within the next few years. Farley earned a 90.5 coverage grade in 2019 with a ridiculously low 26.8 passer rating allowed. He's got the size and top-end speed to put a lock on his half of the field.

The Draft Network - Crabbs (8/19)

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Jacksonville is well aligned to hit the reset button as a franchise. The team has quickly deteriorated after the loss in the AFC Championship Game in early 2018 -- and the front office appeared primed for a refresh as well. Lawrence has the experience, winning pedigree, and talent to help Jacksonville right the ship under new management.

10. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

Incumbent left tackle Cam Robinson is entering into a contract year in 2020 and the Jaguars will certainly want to make sure their offensive line is as skilled as possible for new franchise QB Trevor Lawrence. Whether Leatherwood mans the left tackle position (the preferred outcome) or Jawaan Taylor flips to the blind side and Leatherwood kicks inside to guard, where he has experience, this helps Jacksonville get a better combo of five up front.

Pro Football Network - Hodgkinson (8/16)

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Is Gardner Minshew the real deal? The former sixth-round selection received a vote of confidence from the Jacksonville Jaguars over the off-season, moving Nick Foles to Chicago and adding weapons in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Jaguars are currently projected to be selecting early in the 2021 NFL Draft, and if that is the case, selecting a quarterback with one of their two first-round picks may be a priority. With Leonard Fournette out of favor, a running back could be an early consideration while adding an edge rusher would continue the defensive transformation that started with last year's draft.

The consensus QB1 of this 2021 NFL Draft class from the moment he exploded on to the college football scene and led Clemson to a National Championship as a true freshman. With arm strength, accuracy, and surprising mobility for a 6'6'', 220 pound quarterback, Trevor Lawrence has all the traits to succeed in the NFL.

17. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State

There is a reason that Pat Freiermuth has attracted the nickname "Baby Gronk". He brings everything to the tight end position that Rob Gronkowski did during his time in New England, having the ability to be a receiving threat while being effective as an inline blocker. Freiermuth is my TE1 in this 2021 NFL Draft class, which is a remarkably better tight end group than last year.

ESPN - McShay (8/12)

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

OK, let's begin with a no-brainer. Lawrence is a once-in-a-decade type of quarterback prospect who currently has our highest Scouts Inc. grade on a QB since Andrew Luck in 2012 (99). Jacksonville dealt Nick Foles in the offseason, leaving it with just Gardner Minshew II and Mike Glennon, and Lawrence would step right in for the Jaguars as an immediate game-breaking starter. With a big arm, great mobility for his 6-foot-6 frame, excellent poise under pressure and off-the-charts intangibles, it wouldn't be long before he was among the game's best.

17. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

The Jaguars focused on defense with both first-round picks this past April (CJ Henderson and K'Lavon Chaisson). Then they landed Lawrence as their quarterback here. So it makes perfect sense to get another weapon for the offense with Jacksonville's second Day 1 selection. If Etienne is available, he could be the answer at running back, with Leonard Fournette potentially heading out of Duval County.

But I think it makes more sense to capitalize on the pool of talented pass-catchers in this range, giving Lawrence another target opposite DJ Chark Jr., especially with Dede Westbrook, Chris Conley and Keelan Cole all playing the final years of their contracts. Olave's wheels pop on tape, and his ability to find separation, pluck the ball in stride and transition upfield would be appreciated in an offense that was No. 26 in points scored in 2019 (18.8 per game).

The Draft Network - Reid (8/10)

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Owning one of the worst rosters in the league, it seems to be a common consensus that the Jaguars are in for a long season. Next season is an audition year for quarterback Gardner Minshew to prove that he can be "the guy" going forward. If unable to do so, the team may be in a position to cash in on Lawrence. The Clemson quarterback brings immediate excitement to a position that the team has struggled to solidify for more than a decade.

11. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

After selecting Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick, the team decides to flip the switch and continue to build on the opposite side of the ball with the selection of Surtain II. The son of former Dolphins great, the legacy continues in the Sunshine State, but much further north. Pairing Surtain II alongside one of last year's first-round selections in C.J. Henderson, the duo potentially provides the franchise with two young corners to build around in hopes of locking down the perimeter and providing shades of consistency that the team had a few seasons ago with Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye.

Pro Football Network - Valdovinos (8/9)

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

I am not a believer in Gardner Minshew as a franchise quarterback, and if the Jaguars are selecting first overall, I doubt anyone else will be. The Jaguars have quietly done a good job building a quality roster. They have very strong receivers, a quality offensive line, and a very good and young defensive core. Adding Lawrence and giving him a quality coaching staff could be the kick in the pants the Jaguars need to re-achieve relevancy.

17. Jay Tufele, IDL, USC

The Jaguars have one of my favorite young defensive cores in the NFL. Josh Allen, K'Lavon Chaisson, Myles Jack, Joe Schobert, CJ Henderson, and Ronnie Harrison are all 26 or under. However, they still possess a massive need on the defensive interior, and that's where Tufele comes in. Still a little raw, Tufele currently wins with great physical gifts.

A "dancing bear" at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he moves with great fluidly for someone his size. Adding Tufele to Jacksonville's young defense will give him a unit to grow with, and they can start to become the Jacksonville defense of 2017.

The Draft Network - Marino (8/3)

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

It's likely to be a (another) painful year of Jaguars football and that is quite possibly the best possible outcome for things getting turned around in Jacksonville with the reward being quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Earning the No. 1 overall selection almost surely means a coaching change and a new coach/quarterback combination to go with the young talent that is already in place--in addition to another pick at No. 11 that can jumpstart the next era of Jaguars football.

Lawrence is truly a special talent and one of the most exciting quarterback prospects to enter the league in recent years. He has no limitations as a prospect with an exciting resume entering the NFL.

11. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

After picking Trevor Lawrence No. 1 overall, it's time to make sure he is well protected. Cam Robinson is entering a contract year but has failed to perform consistently and it might be time for him to shift inside to guard.

Alex Leatherwood has performed well at both guard and tackle for Alabama but has the length and mobility to win outside in the NFL, where he transitioned to in 2019. Leatherwood is aggressive in the run game and has springy feet in pass protection to pair with his power.

Previous update: Jacksonville Jaguars Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

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