The Pittsburgh Steelers

The Jaguars, a team that started 6-3 but sizzled out. Going 9-8 to end the season and miss the playoffs the Jaguars needed to look at their team and do some quick re-loading if they wanted to compete inside the division with a Texans team that looks ready to blast off. Let us take a dive into their first four picks of the NFL Draft and see where this team can go.

With the 23rd pick the Jaguars grabbed a premier receiver in this draft with Brian Thomas Jr (WR). To make it brief, the kid put on an absolute show in 2023/24 for the LSU Tigers. 17 Touchdowns speaks for itself but is Brian Thomas Jr a one hit wonder? Before this year he didn’t have a year over 400 receiver yards. It will be interesting to see since he will be depended on to be the contested catch guy and deep threat for Trevor Lawrence.

Going back to back LSU Tiger with pick number 48 being Maason Smith (DT). Maason is going to be called upon to be the run stuffer but has the ability to get the QB off his reads quick. Coming in at 6’6 315 pounds Smith is a guy I think of for the prototype DT in this league now. He will be able to learn from a top pass rusher in Josh Allen to help his hands which should serve him well as he tries to earn more and more snaps.

Pick 96 for the Jaguars is one of my absolute favorites of this entire draft with Jarrian Jones (CB) out of Florida State. Jarrian got better the more he played and not allowing a touchdown in coverage over the last two years is exactly what the Jaguars need. Has a ton of experience outside but it seems his true calling is in the slot. Having that experience though will make him a valuable asset going forward.

Pick 114 Javon Foster (OT) may also go under the radar but a very solid grab in the middle/late round. Foster played in all 13 games the last 3 years and played over 2,700 snaps. Being apart of a Missouri team that had a very well balanced attack give Javon the tools to be a versatile OT. I think he will be making an impact very soon for this Jaguars team.

The Jaguars seem to be stuck in this weird spot in between the playoffs and being a team they were 10 years ago. This draft can be one that helps them get over that hump and into more consistent territory. I think they made the right moves at the front half of the draft and added some depth pieces in the later rounds. I will give them a very solid B for their draft. The future rests on the shoulders of Doug Peterson and Trevor Lawrence. We have seen some very great things from Lawrence but there has to be more. Getting back to the playoffs and getting a win is where I think the Jags sit right now as an expectation.