NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. – The Jaguars might be scaling down the size of the annual draft watch party because of a change of venue, but fan excitement has ratcheted up with the team ready to make the No. 5 overall pick Thursday night.
Fan Eric Dunn, who has attended previous drafts and draft parties, said the events give fans something to look forward to during the offseason.
“It’s just another way to get excited about the upcoming season because it is a long offseason,” Dunn said. “This is all we have until the season does start. It is a great way to get back into the football spirit and be excited about who their first pick is.”
Dunn said for Jags fans, the draft parties are “like our Super Bowl.”
“It is just a big party for Jags fans,” he said. “People have been living in Jacksonville for their whole lives. They have been Jags fans for their whole lives.”
While the Jaguars are slated to pick at No. 5 on Thursday, News4JAX sports anchor Jamal St. Cyr said he would not be surprised if the team trades down and makes a pick later in the first round.
He said if the Jags decide to stay put at No. 5, he thinks there is a certain approach the team should take.
“I think you just pick the best offensive player there is on the board. They have to help Trevor,” St. Cyr said. I think Ashton Jeanty helps Trevor just as much as anybody else on the board, but you cannot argue against an offensive lineman and a guy like Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona. A big 6′5″ wide receiver. That would be helpful too. The name of the game and the first round should be helping (quarterback) Trevor Lawrence."
Dunn, a diehard fan for 25 years, also shared his thoughts on who the Jaguars should consider picking. He agreed with St. Cyr.
“I think for the first round, we really need to get Trevor Lawrence some help because we want to see this offense explosive like all of the other offenses in the AFC. They go to the playoffs,” Dunn said.
He pointed out the team has a lot of holes right now.
“We have to do what we can, and I think we really need to be explosive on offense. With Liam Coen as our head coach, I think that is the route we are going to take,” Dunn said. “We have plenty of other picks that we can fill in the draft, and I trust (general manager) James Gladstone to make good decisions.”
The NFL draft is broken up into three days:
- The first round starts at 8 p.m. Thursday
- The second and third rounds are on Friday, starting at 7 p.m.
- Rounds 4-7 are on Saturday, starting at noon
As of right now, the Jags have 10 draft picks over the course of these three days.
Dunn said the Jaguars’ decisions over the next three days could have an impact beyond the team.
“I just hope that this franchise gets more than eight wins this season because this franchise and this fan base are desperate for a winning team,” Dunn said. “A winning NFL team helps all of the other parts of the city economically. That’s what the city needs desperately.”
Party time
The 2025 DUUUVAL Draft Party, which would usually be held at EverBank Stadium, has been moved to the Lemon Bar and Seahorse Oceanfront Inn in Neptune Beach because of renovations to the stadium.
Because of limited capacity, the free tickets for the event likely have all been claimed and won’t be available at the gate.
The Jaguars warned those who registered for the event through the official draft party webpage that even claiming a ticket might not guarantee access.
Ticket registration opened April 14, and tickets were limited to two per registrant.
Jaguars Season Ticket Members got a one-hour jump start on the registration.
Because of the location, all attendees must be 21 and older.
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Doors open for the party at 6 p.m. with programming beginning at 7 p.m.
Jaguars players and Jaxson de Ville will be at the party, which will feature performances from THE ROAR and D-Line, merchandise vendors, games and giveaways.
The Jaguars’ fifth pick will air on screens throughout the venue.
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After 6 p.m., ticketed attendees will enter the Draft Party through the Seahorse Oceanfront Inn courtyard entrance. Lemon Bar will operate during normal business hours and capacity starting at 11 a.m.
Prior to 6 p.m., patrons of the Lemon Bar will enter the business from the Lemon Street entrance.
