The Jacksonville Jaguars were one of the NFL's biggest disappointments a year ago. After starting the season 8-4, they seemed to be in cruise control towards an AFC South crown. But a 1-4 finish derailed all of that and they ended up missing the playoffs entirely. The Jaguars had to shake things up during the offseason and the 2024 NFL Draft to make sure that type of collapse does not happen again. Some of the moves they made over the weekend should help accomplish that goal.
Drafting Brian Thomas Jr.
One of the biggest questions of the offseason was whether or not the Jaguars would re-sign Calvin Ridley. The negotiations and details of the deal the Jaguars made with the Atlanta Falcons for Ridley during the 2022 season were very unique. Jacksonville dealt a 2023 fifth-round pick and a conditional fourth that could turn into a third-round pick depending on Ridley hitting certain incentives. It could've also potentially turned into a second if the Jaguars re-signed Ridley to a long-term deal this offseason.
Jacksonville avoided dishing that second-round pick by not re-signing Ridley at all. He bolted to the Tennessee Titans on a four-year $92 million deal that netted him $50 million guaranteed. The Jags did sign Gabe Davis to compensate for the loss of Ridley, but they needed to do more. They did this by drafting LSU's Brian Thomas Jr.
Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers got the majority of headlines for LSU's outstanding offense, but Thomas Jr. was great for the Tigers as well. He really burst onto the scene last year after putting up 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns on 68 receptions. He is a really big and fast guy who, while still growing as a route runner, can score from anywhere on the field.
It's never a bad idea to give Trevor Lawrence more weapons to work with. But Thomas Jr. is a different kind of target than what Lawrence has had during his time in Duval. The Jags have lacked a top-notch deep threat and Thomas Jr. has the potential to be an elite one. He can help Jacksonville immediately.
Drafting Javon Foster
The Jaguars cannot go wrong giving Lawrence more weapons to throw to. That also applies to drafting offensive linemen. Jacksonville waited until the fourth round to add to their offensive line, but the player they added there is a pretty good one. That would be Missouri's Javon Foster. Foster was extremely stout for the Tigers last season in the gauntlet that is the SEC.
Foster can contribute in both the run and the pass game. That's great news for the Jaguars because they need help with both aspects up front. They ranked 29th in the league in pass block win rate and 27th in run block win rate according to ESPN.com.
Foster primarily played at left tackle in college at Missouri. Cam Robinson has held down that spot for Jacksonville, but it isn't out of the realm of possibility Foster could take some reps there or at right tackle over Anton Harrison. At a minimum, he provides great depth. No team can ever have enough depth on the offensive line.
Acquiring extra 2025 draft picks
The Jaguars selected Brian Thomas in the first round with the 23rd overall pick. Not only did they get their guy, but they traded down on Thursday and were still able to get Thomas. The Minnesota Vikings dished a 2024 fifth-round pick to move up from 23 to 17 to draft Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner. That wasn't all they gave up, however. Minnesota also sent a 2025 third and fourth-round pick in that deal to move up six spots in this year's draft.
It was a hefty price Minnesota paid, but they got their guys in Turner and JJ McCarthy a few picks earlier. The Jaguars are the beneficiaries. They can use those picks to add to their squad in some capacity down the road.
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