It’s Draft Day! Here are seven rounds of draft picks who would kill the mojo of the Jaguars’ fan base.
With only hours to go before the 2024 NFL Draft, the media conversations continue to swirl around what teams will do, where trades could happen, and which players will rise and which ones will fall. Naturally, if you’re locked in like I am, you’re feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.
A trade to acquire Brandon Aiyuk would be magical. Grabbing a top corner like Quinyon Mitchell or Terrion Arnold is exciting. Selecting Jared Verse would be pretty cool. But then, there are some other draft day picks that would deflate the hell out of me.
Here are some of those picks (and yes, feel free to reach out if you’d like me to remind you of melting icebergs, divorce rates on your wedding day, and Jax Beach shark attacks):
Round 1, pick 17: Jackson Powers-Johnson
Oregon, C
A few months ago, in the aftermath of the infamous Trevor Lawrence attempted touchdown lunge against the Tennessee Titans, Jackson Powers-Johnson (or JPJ as the kids say) was getting a lot of love among the Jaguars’ fan base. Then general manager Trent Baalke signed veteran Mitch Morse, and the JPJ push quieted. With that said, I’d shy away strongly from picking any interior offensive lineman at 17. Quality interior offensive linemen can be found in later rounds, and Luke Fortner should still be considered a quality backup at this point.
Round 2, pick 48: Ben Sinnott
Kansas State, TE
6’3” and 250 lbs.
Has a great route tree. Physical blocker who can also run after the catch. None of it matters. Last year, we picked a tight end nobody had heard of in the second round. And while the fan base should give the Brenton Strange pick from 2023 more time to play out, they should also lead an uprising at EverBank Stadium if the Jags decide to go tight end in the second round again (unless, of course, Brock Bowers gets caught with a gas mask and drops out of the first round).
Round 3, pick 96: Blake Corum
Michigan, RB
I’m trying not to just make this about 2023 draft picks who have yet to live up to their draft stock. That’s half because we should give last year’s selections more time (and perhaps for Tank Bigsby some STICK-EM glue) but also because, at least in this case, late-round running backs have shown they can produce at the NFL level. Instead, I’d use Round 3 to buttress the offensive line or supplement the corner position.
Round 4, pick 114: Malik Washington
Virginia, WR
Washington is one of the top wide receivers who should be available around the 124th pick. With that said, I wouldn’t go after any wide receiver who is 5’8” and slated to play in the slot. The Jags have Christian Kirk and Parker Washington, and if for some reason they haven’t drafted a wide receiver by this pick, we’ve got much bigger problems on our hands.
Round 4, pick 116: Ty’Ron Hooper
Missouri, LB
You know how I said this wasn’t supposed to be an exercise in replicating last year’s draft picks who haven’t yet produced? Well, in this case, I swear I’m not trying to replicate last year’s picks who haven’t yet gotten on the field. Sorry, Ventrell. Hooper is at the top of the board around pick 116, but if there’s one position the Jaguars have some solid depth at, it’s linebacker.
Round 5, pick 153: Will Reichard
Alabama, K
I like Reichard in the sixth or seventh round — but not in the fifth round. And if the Jags like another kicker, I’d still wait. Let’s not be the team that starts the run on special teams players. (Shoutout to the great Bryan Anger!)
Round 6, pick 212: Austin Reed
Western Kentucky, QB
I get Austin Reed is a local product and a name many in Jacksonville have heard of. And although I wish Reed the best, the Jags already have a backup quarterback who attended a Jax high school. Also, the Jags have a recent history with sixth-round quarterbacks, and it’s not very good (Brandon Allen, Tanner Lee, and Jake Luton). Minshew Mania is the lone “success” story.
Round 7, pick 236: Carter Bradley
South Alabama, QB
Honestly, this pick would just make me laugh.
What other draft picks would kill your mojo?
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