The Jacksonville Jaguars came into the 2018 season looking to repeat the same success they had in 2017 as they won the AFC South for the first time and were just four points away from advancing to their first ever Super Bowl appearance. Despite their success last year, it seems as though “Sacksonville” has reverted to their old ways of being a doormat for the rest of the conference.
At 3-7, the team seems to be at the point where they can either continue to play hard and push for a Wild Card spot or set it to cruise control and make it to the 2019 NFL Draft with something they have grown accustomed to in their two-plus decade history: a high draft pick.
Whatever the team decides to do, it is likely a good time to look at what the Jacksonville Jaguars could do when the NFL Draft rolls around next April. Let's take a look at a complete seven-round mock draft for the team.
First Round: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
The 2019 NFL Draft might finally be the place where the Jacksonville Jaguars find their replacement for quarterback Blake Bortles. However, unless they are picking within the first five, it certainly won't be in the first round. So if they don't go quarterback early, they should go the next important position: left tackle.
Jonah Williams has been one of the main reasons Tua Tagovailoa has been the best quarterback in college football with the Crimson Tide this season. He gives whoever the quarterback is more than enough time to find receivers down the field and that is exactly what the Jaguars need right now.
Williams is a big and quick tackle who could play virtually any position on the line, but blindside would likely be the best choice for any team. If the Jaguars can't find their quarterback of the future in the first round, expect them to take the best offensive lineman available instead.
Second Round: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
Despite drafting Tanner Lee in 2018 and trading for Cody Kessler midseason, the Jacksonville Jaguars will need to look for their quarterback of the future and they should be able to find him in Missouri's Drew Lock. The Jaguars might have a blessing in disguise with Lock struggling down the stretch throughout the 2018 season.
Lock was considered one of the best quarterbacks in the draft going into the year and is still likely going to be one of the best available in the 2019 draft. However, with him struggling of late, he has fallen from a potential top five pick to possibly landing in Jacksonville in the second round.
If the Jaguars are able to take Lock in the second round while getting one of the best blockers in the draft in Williams in the first round, their offense will become that much better instantly. Through 10 games, Lock has thrown for 2,647 yards and 21 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. Those numbers don't compare to his 2017 season where he threw for 44 scores, but he certainly should be able to transition those numbers into the NFL.
Third Round: JJ Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford
With two picks in the third round, the Jacksonville Jaguars can afford to gamble a little bit. They desperately need to improve their offense and that includes their receiving corps. Taking JJ Arcega-Whiteside would be a huge move the Jaguars could not afford to pass up as he would fit in well with Bortles, Lock, or whoever else is slinging the rock in 2019.
He has been one of the most reliable pass-catching receivers for the Stanford Cardinal over the last two years and a huge threat in the redzone. His lengthy 6-foot-3 frame gives him the ability to get up over defenders and make some acrobatic plays in the air. Putting him on the field would give the Jaguars a weapon they desperately need to make their offense fit the caliber of their defense.
Third Round (from Rams): Iman Marshall, CB, USC
The Jacksonville Jaguars do need to focus heavily on improving the offense this offseason, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't recognize they are getting older on defense. Jacksonville has one of the best defenses in the league this year by only allowing 200 yards through the air per game. USC's Iman Marshall would make the team that much better and dangerous in the secondary.
Marshall has proven to be one of the better tackling cornerbacks available in the 2019 NFL Draft and he should help the Jaguars immensely. He has proven himself as a shutdown corner with the Trojans and him pairing with Jacksonville's already elite A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey would give the AFC South fits for the forseeable future.
Fourth Round: Damian Prince, OG, Maryland
With Jonah Williams taken in the first round, it certainly wouldn't hurt the Jacksonville Jaguars to find another interior offensive lineman to help give them some depth. Andrew Norwell isn't going anywhere for the Jaguars, so having a reliable backup like Damian Prince wouldn't hurt.
Prince is another versatile lineman the Jaguars could use and he could easily slide to the middle of the line and become the anchoring center the team has been missing.
Sixth Round: Cece Jefferson, DE, Florida
The Jacksonville Jaguars traded Dante Fowler Jr. to the Los Angeles Rams midseason after an injury-laden and lackluster run in Duval County. The Jaguars will likely look to finding his replacement and some depth for the aging Calais Campbell and they can do so in the form of another Gator, Cece Jefferson.
While he has fell off a little during his senior year in Gainesville, Jefferson has had a pretty successful career at Florida. He racked up 10 sacks in his first three years while also being a force in the backfield with 33.5 tackles for loss.
Jefferson might better suit the Jaguars as an interior defensive lineman with his wide frame. Despite being only 6-foot-1, he has long arms and gets them up regularly to knock down passes. He could be an asset for Jacksonville if he is given the chance.
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