A 2-7 start for Jacksonville has many fans already thinking about April, and what’s to come of the current brass in charge of leading the Jaguars each week. While there’s still a long way to go in the campaign, here is an early look at where general manager, for now, Trent Baalke could go in April to boost a roster that has pieces present on both sides of the ball.
Round 1 (No. 2 overall): Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Baalke just traded Cam Robinson and Walker Little doesn’t project as the future at the position. So, Baalke boosts his security detail with Kelvin Banks Jr., a fleet-footed technician who projects as a plug-and-play addition. His blend of technicality and footwork is elite.
Round 2 (No. 33 overall): Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
An uber-competitive corner, Davison Igbinosun’s fire and effort would fit well inside a Jaguars locker room that needs a jolt of energy. Whether the current brass in Jacksonville hangs around or not, they need more talent at the perimeter spots. While the knock on Igbinosun is that he does get grabby at times, it’s an extremely coachable trait that will refine itself as the years progress. He would immediately start opposite Tyson Campbell.
Round 3 (No. 71 overall): Jordan Burch, DL, Oregon
At nearly 300 pounds, Jordan Burch can provide the positional versatility and vertical push to assist in the trenches. While the presence of Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker is nice to have off the edge, forcing pressure from the inside out will boost the unit as a whole and force teams to pick their poison in choosing who to double.
Round 3 (No. 90 overall): Billy Bowman Jr., SAF, Oklahoma
Like Igbinosun earlier in this mock, Billy Bowman Jr. plays with a massive chip on his shoulder and is an athlete who takes things personally at the safety spot. He flies from number to number, has no issue making plays in the run game, and has had success in coverage against varying body types. If you liked Jalen Pitre out of Baylor a few years ago or Tyrann Mathieu out of LSU way back, you’ll like Bowman Jr., an athletic chess piece that plays at full speed on every snap.
Round 4 (No. 107 overall): Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Eli Stowers is a riser in the process. A transfer from New Mexico State via Texas A&M, he’s an athletic flex weapon that will carve out designated touches at the NFL level. The SEC leader among TEs in receptions (39) and TDs (4), Stowers' 522 receiving yards at the position are 103 more than second-ranked Gunnar Helm (Texas).
Round 4 (No. 129 overall): Jermari Harris, CB, Iowa
A sixth–year senior, Jermari Harris will enter the process as one of the country’s most mature defensive backs. He’s been sensational so far in 2024 allowing just 11 catches on 30 targets, with three picks and five PBUs. He projects immediately as a rotational piece on the outside with over 1,700 collegiate snaps under his belt.
Round 5 (No. 143 overall): Samson Okunlola, EDGE, Colorado
Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders get all the attention for the Buffs, but there are other draftable talents scattered throughout the roster. A transfer from Pittsburgh, Samson Okunlola is a nice blend of size and bend that has six pressures and two sacks combined in the last two weeks. He’s a riser in the edge class that will remain crucial to Colorado’s ability to push the pocket.
Round 6 (No. 180 overall): Alex Harkey, OL, Texas State
One of the premier pullers in the country, Alex Harkey projects as a versatile piece at the next level. In this spot, Jacksonville adds depth to the offensive front where expectations are minimal and you allow Harkey to compete for a backup spot right away. In the best-case scenario, he progresses into a swing guard/tackle with starter potential in case of injury.
Round 7 (No. 218 overall): Thomas Fidone II, TE, Nebraska
With it being so early in the process, I like to use these selections to introduce players to the audience that are currently unknown to the public eye. Thomas Fidone II has been a target hog for the Huskers’ offense and a name that popped up in recent conversations. Scouts’ eyes are all over Fidone II this fall, and he’s another name to add to the long list of draft-eligible TEs in 2025. He’s totaled 14 receptions the last three weeks in matchups against Indiana, Ohio State, and UCLA.
