Jacksonville Jaguars 7-Round 2021 Mock Draft
(Photo: Logan Bowles/AP Images)
The Jacksonville Jaguars are in a premium position. Possessing three draft picks in the top 33, after picking twice on day one last year, they can finally take a deep breath and turn a new leaf. It's hard to burn it all down just a few seasons removed from an AFC Championship game appearance, especially when you heralded an all-time defense. However, Shad Khan and newly appointed head coach, Urban Meyer, have taken it upon themselves to rebuild this team from scratch.
1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Whether or not Trevor Lawrence is on the same level as Andrew Luck or John Elway coming out of college doesn't really matter. What does matter is that he’s the best player in this class by a country mile. He’ll be the new face of the franchise, and can inject immediate and long-term hope into an organization that desperately needs it.
25. Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
After securing your quarterback for the next ten years, the immediate plan of attack must be to: 1) get him players to throw to, and, 2) get big guys to protect him. While offensive line is a pressing need in Jacksonville, the board didn’t exactly fall that way, so wide receiver it is! Kadarius Toney is a hell of a player, and if available at 25, should be the guy for Duval nation. A versatile, slippery, hybrid player that can play out-wide, in the slot, or even in the backfield. It helps that this kind of player is a staple of the Urban Meyer offense. Whether it's Percy Harvin at Florida or Curtis Samuel at Ohio State, Meyer has always had an affection for the speedsters, and knows exactly how to use them.
33. Trey Smith, IOL, Tennessee
As I noted previously, offensive line should be a priority for Jacksonville this offseason. While Andrew Norwell and Brandon Linder form a sturdy center-left guard combo, the right guard and tackle positions are a mess. Insert: Trey Smith; an exciting, do-it-all prospect who has tremendous upside, especially for a second round pick. Drawing comparisons to Elgton Jenkins of the Packers, Smith will be able to provide support right away at almost any spot on the offensive line. He has natural gifts when it comes to raw power and overall athleticism, and is the kind of home run swing that a team loaded with draft capital should be willing to take.
46. Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
Radunz is an underrated small-school prospect who has made some money by playing well in the Senior Bowl. He’s a bit of a project, but has the physical tools to be a starting left tackle at the next level. A mauler in the run game who plays with a mean streak, Radunz will add some grit up front and help transform the Jaguars’ offensive line.
65. Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
The first pick that isn’t offense comes at the top of the third round. Ifeatu is not unlike his brother Obi, coming out of Connecticut. A tall, long, rangy defensive back with elite physical traits (rumored to run a 4.42 40-yard dash at 6’3, 220 lbs). Ifeatu is once again a swing-for-the-fences player who can help C.J. Henderson form a new elite cornerback tandem post-Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye.
105. Tre McKitty, TE, Georgia
Every great quarterback needs his safety net tight end. Well, Tyler Eifert is rapidly falling out of his prime and there’s no other reasonable option currently residing in Jacksonville, so Tre McKitty it is. A jumbo-receiver type, McKitty was under-utilized by both Florida State and Georgia in his college career. He possesses great positional versatility (a theme of this mock draft thus far) and the athletic profile to come in and do some work right away.
129. Rashad Weaver, EDGE, Pittsburgh
While his teammate, Patrick Jones II, receives far more attention, Rashad Weaver out of Pittsburgh is an underrated prospect. Due to his ability to rush the passer and stop the run, Weaver provides value off the edge and as a 3-technique defensive tackle on third downs.
144. Tyree Gillepsie, S, Missouri
Gillepsie is a fun, dynamic prospect who can play in the box or over top, all whilst providing immediate value on special teams. His innate ability to find the ball carrier and play physical football will likely result in him playing strong safety, which is a huge need for this Jacksonville defense.
169. Demetric Felton, RB, UCLA
Demetric Felton is another Senior Bowl standout. He’ll be the lighting to James Robinson’s thunder in the backfield, or another slot option on third downs. He’s an elite athlete who very well may end up going higher than this if the buzz around his game continues to build.
225. Tamorrian Terry, WR, Florida State
Before the 2020-2021 season, Tamorrian Terry was on my shortlist of the top-10 wide receivers to watch out for this year. While injuries limited his time on the field, Terry’s play when healthy was not up to notch either. Nonetheless, there’s a reason why he was on that list. At 6’4” and 214 lbs, Terry possesses ideal size and speed for a wide receiver. He was even rumored to have run 23.4 miles per hour in a game against Arizona State in 2019. Even if this time was off by half-a-second, it would be one of the fastest times ever recorded in NFL history, nonetheless for a college player with that kind of size. For a day three draft pick, Terry could be a potential steal and a massive homerun if he hits.
246. Ta’Quon Graham, IDL, Texas
Interior defensive line is one of the biggest weaknesses of this Jaguars defense. Unfortunately, it's also one of the biggest weaknesses of this draft class. This means that answers may have to be found through free agency. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t take a shot at one late on day-three. Ta’Quon Graham is an experienced player (48 collegiate games) who offers savviness and versatility as a defensive line prospect. While he isn’t the high-upside pick that some fans may wish for, Graham is going to be a lunch-pail worker that could peak Urban Meyer’s interest late in the draft.