Looking forward to the 2022 NFL Draft is something that resembles a yearly occurrence for the Jacksonville Jaguars, especially since they are picking first overall for the second consecutive draft. Having selected QB Trevor Lawrence in one of the easiest selections in the past few drafts, the Jaguars are faced with a tough decision this year.

Surrounding Lawrence with weapons and protection should be at the top of the priority list for new head coach Doug Pederson, whose offensive-minded approach is perfectly suited to unlock the type of production that made Lawrence the first overall selection in 2021 from Clemson.

But this team also loves to use high selection on defensive players, especially on the defensive line, seeing as how three of their past five first-round selections (Dante Fowler Jr., Taven Bryant, Josh Allen) have been dedicated to revamping that unit. With this draft flush with DL prospects that can immediately improve a team’s pass rush, it will be interesting to see what direction Pederson and the front office takes on April 28th.

Best Options for the Jaguars at 1st Overall in the 2022 NFL Draft

3. Aidan Hutchinson

One of the most rumored prospects to be tied to the top selection in the NFL Draft, Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson is looked at as one of the best all-around pass rushers entering the NFL this year. As the defensive end has demonstrated countless times on tape, Hutchinson’s motor and drive is exactly what should stand out to the Jaguars.

His 6’6, 265-lb. frame produced 14 sacks and 51 QB hurries on his way to being the highest-graded defender in all of college football in the 2021 season, a year after playing in only three games and not recording a sack.

While Hutchinson can move inside in certain alignments (157 career snaps over tackle), his skill set is best-suited opposite Allen, crashing the edge and giving QBs nowhere to run – while this could be seen more as a luxury pick, Jacksonville cannot do wrong by going this route.

2. Evan Neal

Even though they placed the franchise tag on LT Cam Robinson and signed G Brandon Scherff in their offseason spending spree, the Jaguars still have issues on their offensive line, something that Evan Neal could immediately be plugged into.

Right tackle is the logical spot for Neal to earn reps at, and even with GM Trent Baalke’s comments about their confidence in incumbent Jawaan Taylor being the team’s starting RT in ‘22, Neal would be a huge upgrade there.

Keeping Lawrence upright is the only way he is going to succeed in the NFL, and helping keep him on his feet while going through progressions in the first year of a new offense is super important for his long-term development, as well as longevity of Pederson’s coaching career. While Neal was seen as the slam-dunk option before free agency, confidence has waned on Jacksonville going OL with how active they were there during free agency.

1. Travon Walker

While Hutchinson is currently the betting favorite to become a member of the Jaguars, EDGE Travon Walker has been flying up draft boards lately. His fifth-best odds (+2267) as of March 10th have now shrunk to +350 (March 30), and they look to continue to close the gap.

Walker’s NFL Draft stock has skyrocketed due to his record-setting 4.51 40-yard dash he ran back at Georgia’s pro day on March 16 – seeing how speed sells and his 40 time was the fastest of a player at least 270 pounds since 1999, it’s fair to understand why he is being talked about as high as first overall.

Georgia had so many good players on its defense last year, and the fact that they will likely have so many of those same players sprinkled throughout this year’s first-round shows just how dominant they were. Walker was a member of an incredibly-deep DL unit, and his final year statistics (6 sacks, 37 total tackles) don’t speak to the kind of potential and skills he has.

If the Jaguars were to go out of the box in this year's NFL Draft, then Walker is exactly the guy that would fit into that mold – high motor, intangibles through the ceiling, and untapped potential that could be unlocked with an NFL-level coaching staff.