Did the Jaguars Draft Wisely? LSU Trio Leads the Way
The Jacksonville Jaguars appear to have a type and it starts in Baton Rouge based on the team’s NFL draft results. Jacksonville took LSU players with their first two selections and three former Tigers in the draft. After the draft, the Jags remain runner-ups in the sportsbook to win the AFC South at +250 betting odds.
The Jaguars grabbed LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the No. 23 overall pick. Jacksonville followed this move up by taking defensive tackle Maason Smith in the second round with the No. 48 overall selection. The Jags later snagged LSU defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson in the fourth round.
Brian Thomas Jr. film? Brian Thomas Jr. film!@BrianThomas_11 | #DUUUVAL
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) April 27, 2024
Looks like the Jaguars put in a lot of calls to LSU head coach Brian Kelly in recent months. Don’t worry Jags fans, the team did finally take a few players outside of LSU.
Let’s dive into how the Jaguars draft played out.
The Jaguars Have a Type and It’s Spelled S-E-C
If you consider Texas as part of the SEC now, the Jaguars snagged a staggering seven players from the SEC with their nine picks.
Thomas is the Jaguars’ most notable move for fans and fantasy owners alike. Trevor Lawrence now has one more significant playmaker to target.
The 6-foot-3 receiver posted 68 receptions for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2023. This is a nice addition considering Jacksonville also signed former Bills wideout Gabe Davis in free agency.
Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. Add Offensive Firepower
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler is underwhelmed by the Jags’ draft class ranking the team’s result near the absolute bottom at No. 29. Brugler still praised the addition of Thomas given the Jaguars’ offensive inconsistencies last season.
“I was underwhelmed by the Jaguars’ draft haul in Rounds 2-7, but I love what they did in Round 1, trading back and adding a high-ceiling receiver,” Brugler noted.
“After the Jaguars lost Calvin Ridley this offseason, they reexamined their options and were able to land Thomas, who has both size and speed. His route running is a work in progress, but that is due more to inexperience than lack of ability or know-how.”
The new-look Jaguars post-draft 🐆 https://t.co/Kxf8aQbyEX pic.twitter.com/VbK8fu94fi
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) May 5, 2024
I am a little more bullish on the Jags’ new SEC All-Star team than Brugler. Jacksonville added Florida State corner Jarrion Jones and Texas Tech pass rusher Myles Cole as their lone non-SEC teams but both played in the conference’s geographical footprint.
Did the Jaguars Draft for Success? Review, Grades & Potential Breakout
Keep an eye on former Texas playmaker Keilan Robinson. The Jags snagged the Longhorns running back in the fifth round. Jacksonville also may have found their next starting kicker by selecting Arkansas’ Cam Little in the sixth round.
Keilan Robinson is headed to Jacksonville!!!
“This kid was a big play waiting to happen. Speed, speed, speed.” pic.twitter.com/nPu8Q3wZCX
— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) April 27, 2024
Like I said, I am optimistic about the Jaguars’ draft class. Jacksonville focused on the trenches by taking offensive and defensive linemen with three of their first five picks. ESPN’s Mel Kiper gave the Jaguars a B- grade.
Robinson with the 95-yard TD kick return 🤘 @__keilan
📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/yex1TBt2lZ
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 25, 2023
“I wrote Thursday night that Jacksonville had a nice Round 1,” Kiper wrote. “GM Trent Baalke was able to maneuver the board, dropping six spots in a trade with the Vikings. The Jaguars got Nos. 23 and 167 plus third- and fourth-round picks in the 2025 draft, while Minnesota got No. 17. The Jags were able to fill a need at wide receiver with Brian Thomas Jr. (23), who can take the top off defenses and be a speed option alongside Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis.”
“… My quibble? Baalke could have gotten his pick of the cornerback class at No. 17. Cooper DeJean, Terrion Arnold, and Quinyon Mitchell were all on the board, and each could have been a rookie starter for a defense that allowed 18 touchdown passes to opposing wideouts last season, the fifth most in the NFL.”
There appears to be some value on Jaguars futures odds if you are expecting a bounce-back season from Lawrence. Jacksonville sits at +4000 in the odds to win the Super Bowl, with the regular season wins over-under set at 8½.
Questions Of The Day
What are the Jacksonville Jaguars odds to win the Super Bowl?
The Jacksonville Jaguars have +4000 odds to win the Super Bowl.
What is the Jacksonville Jaguars win total set at in Vegas?
The Jaguars win total over-under is set at 8 ½.
