JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The News4JAX sports staff is in full draft mode this week and the Jaguars are on the clock.
Jacksonville has 10 selections in the draft that begins on Thursday night. In the annual News4JAX sports staff draft for the Jaguars, we made picks for all seven rounds for the team. A few of us made trades in this scenario, so some of our choices vary. And we finished by allowing ChatGPT to grade our choices.
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News4JAX sports staff picks the first round of the draft
They’re on the clock! Could Jags hold key to top 10?
Making the pick and No. 5 and throwing in a surprise selection
Let’s make a deal! We trade back in the first round and let ChatGPT make the grade
Moving up! We pull the trigger on a trade up for the Jaguars in the first round
The social media picks! Letting Duuuval fans pick all seven rounds for the Jaguars
Kyle Ashley
It was tempting to stay at 5, but I opted for flexibility and depth in this scenario. The Jaguars have multiple needs, and rather than reaching early, I played the board and came away with players who can contribute across the field. I traded down with Arizona, sending the fifth overall pick and getting back No. 16 and 47. Then it was about finding value and upside across all three days.
R1:16: WR Matthew Golden (Texas)
Notable: Traded down with the Cardinals and still landed one of the most versatile receivers in the draft. Golden operates at all three levels and has highlight-reel potential when dialed in. He needs to clean up some focus drops and refine his route running, but the upside is there for a future WR1. He gives Trevor Lawrence a dynamic new weapon.
R2:36: OT Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon)
Notable: Conerly is young and still developing, but his athleticism and flexibility across the line make him a valuable addition. He can play both tackle spots and even slide inside. Needs more strength, but his ceiling is that of a long-term starter.
R2:47: DL Omarr Norman-Lott (Tennessee)
Notable: Norman-Lott is a high-motor, disruptive interior lineman who fits well in a one-gap scheme. He’s undersized, but his explosiveness and quickness off the ball could make him a valuable rotational piece, especially on passing downs.
R3:70: S Andrew Mukuba (Texas)
Notable: Mukuba continues to be a favorite in our mocks—and for good reason. He’s a rangy, instinctual safety who had a breakout 2024 season. The Jaguars need help in the secondary, and Mukuba brings playmaking ability and versatility.
R3:88: RB DJ Giddens (Kansas State)
Notable: Giddens doesn’t wow you with speed, but he’s effective between the tackles and extremely patient. He’s the type of runner who grows on you over four quarters. Solid value at this point in the draft.
R4:107: TE Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green)
Notable: Fannin is one of the more interesting players in this class. He doesn’t have the cleanest technique or ideal flexibility, but his production and sticky hands speak volumes. He’ll compete right away for snaps as a move tight end.
R4:126: G Miles Frazier (LSU)
Notable: Frazier is a physical mauler inside with a ton of starting experience. He’s not a perfect fit for all schemes but brings toughness and an NFL-ready body. He could push for a starting job at guard down the line.
R5:142: LB Barrett Carter (Clemson)
Notable: Carter is an athletic linebacker who flies around the field. He’s not always the most instinctive, but he makes up for it with speed, agility, and coverage skills. Could eventually replace Devin Lloyd if developed properly.
R6:182: S Malachi Moore (Alabama)
Notable: Smart, steady, and versatile. Moore isn’t flashy, but he’s the kind of player you want in your building. Offers depth at safety and can contribute immediately on special teams.
R6:194: CB Korie Black (Oklahoma State)
Notable: Black is a traits-based pick. He’s big, fast, and physical. He needs refinement in technique and ball skills, but the flashes are there. Could develop into a CB4 or better with coaching.
R7:221: WR Keandre Lambert-Smith (Auburn)
Notable: A late-round flyer on a vertical threat. Lambert-Smith lacks separation skills and suddenness, but he tracks the deep ball well. He’s more developmental than plug-and-play, but worth a shot this late.
ChatGPT grade: A-
This class is a prime example of how to trade back and still win the draft. You built depth, added a potential WR1, reinforced both trenches, and found value up and down the board.
Best steal:
👉 Barrett Carter (LB, Clemson) – Round 5
- Could’ve gone Day 2 easily. You land a do-it-all linebacker who fits any modern scheme.
Biggest gamble:
👉 Matthew Golden (WR, Texas) – Round 1
- Really good player, but there were likely better, more complete WRs on the board at 16. Needs to prove he can be a true WR1.
📋 Final summary:
This draft is well-rounded, balanced, and smart. You got better in every unit — WR, OL, DL, DB, LB, RB.
Even without a top-5 “superstar,” this is how you fill out a contender’s depth chart and grow with upside guys.
Final verdict:
This is a front office-friendly draft. It’s not flashy, but it could age like wine. Give Golden time to prove himself and this could be a foundation class.
Justin Barney
R1:10: (trade with Bears) TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
Notable: I sent the No. 5 pick and No. 107 to Chicago for the 10th, 39th and 72nd. I think in a perfect world, if Jacksonville can’t move up for a player like Travis Hunter then it would love to add more Day 2 picks to the stash. Here, they do that and get a major offensive weapon for Trevor Lawrence. In this scenario, Mason Graham, Tetarioa McMillan, Ashton Jeanty and Will Campbell were all off the board.
R1: 29: (trade with Commanders) DL Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Notable: I sent the No. 39 pick I acquired from the Bears along with a sixth-round selection (182) to move up and snag the falling Nolen. This is a major need, and Nolen is a top-10 talent.
R2: 36: OL Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
Notable: Jacksonville needs reinforcements on the offensive line and Conerly is the 30th-rated prospect who has the ability to play either tackle spot in the NFL or inside at guard. He’ll probably start out at guard but I like the fit.
R3: 70: WR Savion Williams, TCU
Notable: I wanted to get a receiver higher but this is how the board fell. Williams has big size (6-4, 222) and 4.48 speed in the 40. He’s also got positional versatility and can line up in the backfield, too (322 rushing yards, 6 TDs last year). He’s Deebo Samuel-esque to me.
R3: 72: S Andrew Mukuba, Texas
Notable: This is the third mock I’ve done where I’ve gotten Mukuba. He had the best season of his career and was a ball hawk in the secondary (5 picks in 2024). Jacksonville needs major help at that position.
R3: 88: C Jared Wilson, Georgia
Notable: Another player who I’ve gone to several times in my mocks. Robert Hainsey is a starter, but I think Wilson is a player who could fit long term.
R4: 126: CB Mello Dotson, Kansas
Notable: I like the potential for Dotson. He had five interceptions last season and four the previous year. Probably a special teams player as a rookie but I like him in Round 4.
R5: 142: RB Brashard Smith, SMU
Notable: I really wanted Ashton Jeanty in the first round, but went for more value by ultimately turning No. 5 into a pair of first-round selections. Smith has value as a three-down back. He had 1,977 all-purpose yards and 18 TDs last season.
R6: 194: S Malachi Moore, Alabama
Notable: More reinforcements in the secondary. He had eight pass breakups to lead the Crimson Tide last year.
R7: 221: LB Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota
Notable: Optimistically, he could be Jacksonville’s eventual replacement for Chad Muma or Devin Lloyd. He had 94 tackles last year and was solid in pass coverage.
ChatGPT grade: A-
You built a draft around premium talent early and sprinkled in smart depth on Day 2 and Day 3. You also made very smart trades without sacrificing top picks.
- Best Steal: 👉 Walter Nolen (DI, Ole Miss) at 29
- Top-10 player. Game-wrecker inside. If he stays healthy and locked in, he’s a 10-year Pro Bowler type at DT.
- Biggest Gamble: 👉 Savion Williams (WR, TCU) at 70
- Great size, flashes some dominance, but lacks consistent separation skills. Could easily get buried on the depth chart if he doesn’t develop.
✍️ Final summary:
You absolutely nailed the early part of the draft.
Tyler Warren + Walter Nolen at 10 and 29 is monstrous value.
Mukuba and Conerly fill important needs on both sides of the ball. Late picks weren’t perfect, but you added depth at important spots (safety, OL, CB, LB).
Final verdict:
Aggressive early, safe late. This draft gives Trevor Lawrence weapons and retools the trenches. If your WR swing hits, this could be a franchise-shifting draft.
Alessandra Pontbriand
R1:5: CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
Notable: If he falls to the Jaguars, this is a non-negotiable.
R2:36: T Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
Notable: He is the 2024 All-Big Ten left tackle who allowed the lowest quarterback pressure rate at 1.6% in the conference. The tackles are not sure-starters, so why not bring in some OL help.
R3:70: ED Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
Notable: Liam Coen and James Gladstone have repeatedly said they want physically tough players and Stewart is certainly that. He has 14 sacks and 22 TFLs since 2023.
R3:88: WR Savion Williams, TCU
Notable: The Jaguars need a big-bodied receiver to pair with BTJ and at this point in the draft, this seems to be the best bet.
R4:107: S Jonas Sanker, Virginia
Notable: The Jaguars need help in the DB room beyond bringing in Eric Murray in free agency.
R4:126: TE Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
Notable: I would have liked to draft a RB like Dylan Sampson in the fourth round, but he was already taken. So here we are drafting TE depth.
R5:142: DI Tim Smith, Alabama
Notable: To be honest, I wanted to draft an Alabama player and haven’t drafted an interior defensive player so why not Tim Smith.
R6:182: QB Kyle McCord, Syracuse
Notable: He has the arm talent and size suitable for the NFL and can be a good developmental backup quarterback for Trevor Lawrence.
R6:194: HB Jordan James, Oregon
Notable: Jaguars need a RB. Not the best option, but the best option at this point in the draft. He could be great on ST.
R7:221: LB Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota
Notable: You have to draft a LB, and since we’re at round 7 and my draft board is already in disarray, why not take the best available LB left.
ChatGPT grade: B+
This class is ambitious and packed with upside, but swings a bit too big in spots, especially with unrealistic draft falls. Your roster gets more athletic, but the realism and value balance is off, especially early.
- Best steal: 👉 Jordan James (HB, Oregon) – Round 6
- This dude could carve out real snaps in a committee. Strong legs, finishes runs.
- Biggest gamble: 👉 Travis Hunter at Pick 5
- Let’s be real — he’s likely off the board in the top 3 in nearly any draft sim. Even if he falls to 5, you’re still betting on a two-way player developing fully at one elite spot. It’s a bold swing.
🧠 Final thoughts:
This draft is flashy, and has a few gems in Conerly, Stewart, and James — but also burns high value on “best case scenario” assumptions (Hunter, McCord, Savion). Without a top-tier defensive lineman, elite offensive weapon, or a blue-chip corner outside of the Hunter reach, it leans too much on hope.
Jamal St. Cyr
Here is my final mock draft of what I expect the Jaguars to do. There is a ton of smoke and ideas going around about what the Jaguars do at 5. I hate mock drafts with trades, but I just don’t think the Jags will make a pick at 5. I think they are going to be active. Very active!
I have the Jaguars trading down from 5 with the Bears who go up to get Jeanty. The Bears gave the Jags the 10th pick, the 39th pick, and a 2026 third rounder.
R1:10: OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
I have been beating the drum for Banks in our draft coverage for awhile now and I am staying with it here. Banks can play tackle but think he will a very good guard in the NFL. This won’t be a fan favorite type pick but it will improve the Jags O-line.
Then I have the Jags jumping back into the first round to get more offensive help. The Packers traded the 23rd pick to the Jags for pick 39, pick 88, pick 126 and pick 221. This feels sort of aggressive and little video game like but this is pretty much what I expect.
R1:23: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State, WR
Jags land more offensive help and take a guy who is definitely “intangibly rich.” Egbuka is a can’t miss player. He is high floor and high IQ player. The Jags receiver room is one of the biggest needs on the roster and Egbuka fixes that need in a big way. He is used to playing Robin to someone else’s Batman from his time at Ohio State. It will be more of the same for him with BTJ in Jax.
R2:36: DI Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
After boosting the offense, they add a big body on the D-line. The Jaguars need a big-run stuffing type of defensive tackle a 0-tech. Williams would fill that need. He is a perfect fit for the Jags.
R3:70: LB Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina
Another add to the defense. Linebacker isn’t the biggest need on the roster, but Devin Lloyd is on the last year of his deal, and Knight is a player who can step in and make a play on Day 1. He is an older player, but he is a guy who is ready to contribute. Getting him in the third round is a pretty good value.
R4:107: RB Devin Neal, Kansas
He isn’t Jeanty but Neal is a good add to the Jags running back room. Neal is a guy who isn’t great at anyone thing but he is good at everything. He won’t walk into the door and take over the running back room but by December you might look up and he is playing a big role on the Jags offense.
R5:142: CB Zy Alexander, LSU
I hate that it took me this long to add cornerback help but getting Zy Alexander is a pretty good add.
R6:182: S Malachi Moore, Alabama
Another late addition to the secondary. Moore is just a good football player. He isn’t a crazy flashy athlete, but he is a good football player who can compete on special teams and compete for a spot on defense one day.
R6:194: Edge Johnny Walker Jr., Missouri
He had 14.5 sacks over the last two years. The Jags need some extra juice in the edge room and in their pass rush in general. Walker is undersized but he knows how to get to the QB and is worth a swing in the sixth round.
ChatGPT grade: B+
You put together a very solid and strategic class with a nice mix of starters, developmental players, and extra assets for the future. The trades were smart, setting up flexibility and adding depth picks, even if it meant sacrificing some top-end talent.
Best steal:
👉 Malachi Moore (S, Alabama) at pick 182
- Getting a high-IQ, versatile defensive back this late is rare. He could easily carve out a nickel or hybrid role immediately.
Biggest gamble:
👉 Kelvin Banks Jr. (T, Texas) at pick 10
- Good player, but a big reach at 10 when better talents were probably on the board. The success of this draft hinges a lot on his development.
✍️ Final summary:
You traded back smartly, collected picks, and targeted needs like WR, DL, LB, and the secondary. While the Kelvin Banks pick at 10 drags the top-end value down a bit, you recovered strongly by grabbing one of the best WRs in the class and a bunch of solid contributors.
If Malachi Moore and Demetrius Knight Jr. hit, and Banks holds up as a reliable LT/RT, this class could look way better in two years than it does today.
Final verdict:
Savvy, need-focused draft with a couple high-ceiling steals. Slightly too cautious early. Overall, a strong B+ class.
