The reviews are in!
We’ve gathered grades from a few local media outlets to provide a fresh perspective on how the Jacksonville Jaguars fared in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Each snippet is just a part of each writer’s take, so be sure to click the links to read their full thoughts!
Round 1, 23rd overall: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Big Cat Country readers: [stay tuned for survey results]
Times-Union
Gene’s grade: B+
While it was a little surprising the Jaguars didn’t grab Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, you can’t go wrong with Thomas at this draft slot, and getting three draft picks by trading down six spots from No. 17 … From a value and need standpoint, it’s hard to quibble with this selection. The Jaguars’ offense gets more firepower that was sorely missing in 2023.
Black & Teal
Carlos’ grade: A
Even though Thomas was in the second tier of receivers, he was also projected to go into the first round, so it’s hard to say that he was a reach. During four years at LSU, the Louisiana native hauled in 127 receptions for 1,897 yards with 24 touchdowns. His best season came in 2023, when he tallied 68 catches for 1,177 yards and averaged 17.3 yards per reception.
1010XL
Gus’ grade: B-
The Jaguars’ trade-back with Minnesota was a good one, though I was surprised to see Thomas Jr. as the pick over Terrion Arnold. I’ll never be upset about Trevor Lawrence getting help but Thomas Jr. is just an okay value here to me.
Mia’s grade: B+
There was intent to find Trevor Lawrence a No. 1 wide receiver in the first-round. Trent Baalke noted the “drop-off” between “The Big Three” wide receivers at his Pre-Draft Availability. Not sticking-and-picking Thomas at No. 17 tells me he got the value he wanted as well as the wide receiver he wanted — and of note: he and Doug Pederson were the big Thomas fans, compared to others on the coaching staff and in the front office.
News 4 Jax
Jamal’s Day 1 grade: A++
With the trade back I love the move. Trade back Trent. Somebody que up “Many Men” by 50 Cent. This was a masterclass kind of move by Baalke. Brian Thomas Jr. is a crazy athlete and gives Trevor Lawrence a new big, fast wide receiver to throw to. If they took him at 17 my grade would be different. But with the picks they added in the trade back I have to give the pick the highest possible grade.
Alessandra’s Day 1 grade: A
Fans should be excited for LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. Like his draft position, he’s definitely the fourth-best receiver in this year’s draft. His combination of size (6-3, 209 pounds), speed (4.33 in the 40-yard dash) and proven production is an exciting addition to the Jaguars receivers room.
Justin’s Day 1 grade: A-
What I love about the pick is his speed and size. Jacksonville needed a big bodied receiver in the worst possible way. He’s not going to need to come in and be WR1 right off the bat and that’s why I think Thomas will have more success with the Jaguars than any of its previous four first-round whiffs.
Round 2, 48th overall: Maason Smith, DT, LSU
Times-Union
Gene’s grade: B-
A mild surprise that the Jaguars didn’t take a cornerback, but landing the best available defensive tackle in Smith (6-foot-6, 315) could be a boost for a defense in desperate need of becoming more physical in the trenches. The downside is he may need some time to break into the rotation after not playing in 2022 (torn ACL), which limited his impact last season.
Black & Teal
Carlos’ grade: B
The Jaguars got a bit of a blank stare when they drafted Maason Smith. Mostly because cornerback was the biggest need at the time, and it was a bit odd to see them address another position. However, a closer look shows that they made the right call when they went with the former LSU Tiger.
1010XL
Gus’ grade: C
I would’ve liked to see Kris Jenkins or Michael Hall Jr. as the pick instead, if not a corner. With that said, Smith fills a need and it wasn’t a shocking selection.
Mia’s grade: B
I would like to transport you to one year ago today. Jaguars fans everywhere are begging Trent Baalke to draft additional pass rush help. Now, let’s go to October 2023. The Jaguars are 6-2, but with DaVon Hamilton’s illness/injury status in doubt, Jaguars fans everywhere are lamenting the lack of interior pass rush/ability to collapse the pocket.
News 4 Jax
Jamal’s grade: B
This is a home run swing. If it hits, Smith will be a monster. He showed flashes at LSU but injuries slowed him down. The boost on this pick for me is that the Jags had insider knowledge on this pick. Matt House was the LSU DC and coached Smith. If anyone knows about the injuries and the talent of Smith, it is House. I’ll be on the upside of this pick with that in mind.
Justin’s grade: C
I wasn’t impressed with Jacksonville’s second-round pick, Smith. Much like the selection last year of Penn State tight end Brenton Strange in Round 2, I think Smith was overdrafted by 20 to 30 spots. Jacksonville reached for Strange last year and it reached for Smith on Friday night. I would have liked a trade up to nab a Jer’Zhan Newton or T’Vondre Sweat or Braden Fiske. Or even stayed put and grabbed Michigan defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.
Round 3, 96th overall: Jarrian Jones, CB, FSU
Times-Union
Gene’s grade: B
Finally, the Jaguars got around to filling arguably the biggest need on the roster by taking a versatile corner in Jones, who they envision as an immediate starter in their nickel defense. Jones improved his stock immensely last season in moving from a boundary corner to the slot. He was also regarded as one of the best leaders in the FSU locker room, and his character traits were also a big attraction for the Jaguars.
Black & Teal
Carlos’ grade: B-
Jones played both ways in high school and fully focused on defense once he began his college career. His background as a receiver, though, is a plus, as he excels at tracking the football in the air. The former Florida State Seminole can line up inside or outside but he’s a much better nickel at this stage of his career. Last season, he gave up only 16 receptions and none went for touchdowns.
1010XL
Gus’ grade: C
Jones will likely be limited to one role, carries age/injury concerns, and could get stand to improve at anticipating route breaks. I mostly gave the pick a mediocre grade for the Jaguars’ process — after passing on the position until nearly the 100th pick, the team made a big reach on Jones, who was projected to be more of a mid-Day 3 selection. Montaric Brown remains the succession plan for Tyson Campbell (who hits free agency in 2025) at outside cornerback.
Mia’s grade: B-
I agree the process to acquire Jones, who many draftniks regarded as a Day 3 selection because of his extensive resume as a nickel cornerback, raises some eyebrows … I don’t believe Jones will start outside, which is where the pick can be knocked. I do believe he will be a Day 1 starter. And I do believe with how much nickel, dime, and quarters the Jaguars will be running, there is value in taking Jones at No. 96.
News 4 Jax
Jamal’s grade: A
The Jaguars needed cornerback help and they got a good one. Jones balled out in Tallahassee last year. I love this pick and I will be honest, the grade got boosted just a little bit because he said he grew up a Jags fan. Jones said he was a MJD superfan growing up. Does that matter? Yes, it means he has good judgement. Back to football — Jones excelled in the slot and has a good athletic profile. He could earn a role quickly in the Jags secondary. in the words of Trent Baalke, it was good value.
Justin’s grade: A
Like I mentioned above, there are players who were available in the second round who I would have moved up to get at corner. But Jones in Round 3 was a good one. In our News4JAX seven-round mock, I selected Jones in the fourth round. He’s not Day 1 starter ready right now, but I think Jones could be starting on the outside by midseason. He could start in the slot as a rookie though. And Jacksonville, to me, needed to leave the first two rounds with a potential starter at corner. They found that in Jones.
Round 4, 114th overall: Javon Foster, OT, Missouri
Times-Union
Gene’s grade: B+
As the second-oldest tackle in this draft at 24, and with 39 starts the past three years at left tackle, Foster being a first-team All-SEC player bodes well for a solid NFL career. The Jaguars matched value and need pretty well here. It doesn’t hurt that his father, Jerome, spent four years in the NFL as a defensive lineman.
Black & Teal
Carlos’ grade: C+
Foster, a three-year starter for the Tigers, has mostly lined up at left tackle, but head coach Doug Pederson told the media that he envisions him playing on either side. Barring a sudden development, the Michigan native will enter training camp at the bottom of the depth chart. There, he’ll be able to work on his footwork and hand usage.
1010XL
Gus’ grade: B
Cam Robinson and Walker Little are set to enter free agency next offseason, so it was wise to draft a contingency plan at offensive tackle. OL guru Brandon Thorn called Foster “an ideal developmental pick who can be groomed into a contributor over time.”
Mia’s grade: B
Two things to watch, following Foster’s selection. One, given that Foster has played both left and right tackle, does this free up the Jaguars to trade Cam Robinson? Or is Foster stashed until he becomes the swing tackle in 2025? Second, will he play tackle exclusively or can he also show potential inside? That versatility could push Foster onto the 53-man roster ahead of the veteran Blake Hance.
Round 4, 116th overall: Jordan Jefferson, DT, LSU
Times-Union
Gene’s grade: C+
Jaguars’ GM Trent Baalke wasn’t kidding at his season-ending press conference when he said becoming more physical in the trenches would be a priority. It’s obvious the influence of Jaguars’ inside linebackers coach Matt House, LSU’s defensive coordinator the past two years, is a huge factor as he joins fellow D-lineman Maason Smith and receiver Brian Thomas Jr. in the 2024 class.
Black & Teal
Carlos’ grade: C
Jefferson began his college career at West Virginia but transferred to LSU in 2022. Right off the bat, he showed playmaking potential, ranking second in tackles even though he was 10th in defensive snaps. He needs to work on maintaining a low stance. Similarly, he must develop a repertoire of pass-rush moves but the talent is there.
1010XL
Gus’ grade: C
There’s some upside in Jefferson’s game if he can learn to use him length to his advantage, but Jacksonville essentially added a rotational defensive tackle. The former Tiger was expected to be a seventh-round pick. The Jaguars clearly see something in a lot of these LSU guys that other teams don’t, and I’m not sure if that’s a hidden edge or just blatant bias, so I’m choosing to hop back on the fence with another average grade.
Mia’s grade: B
As ESPN Baton Rouge’s Matt Moscona told “Helmets & Heels” last week, Jefferson, a West Virginia transfer, was the most consistent player on House’s inconsistent Tigers defense last season. At 6’4”, 317 lbs, the Panhandle-native had the most reps on the bench press of any defensive lineman at the NFL Combine. Instantly speaks to Trent Baalke’s aspirations to “get more physical” in the weight room that he spoke of in late-January.
Round 5, 153rd overall: Deantre Prince, CB, Ole Miss
Times-Union
Gene’s grade: B-
The Jaguars continued their run on SEC talent by taking a record fifth player from the nation’s preeminent football league in Prince. He specializes in press man coverage, a must in defensive coordinator Ryan Neilsen’s scheme. Prince will likely have a role on special teams as a returner or gunner.
Black & Teal
Carlos’ grade: C
Prince is a feisty competitor but he needs to do a better job of recognizing routes. He must also polish his tackling technique, as he showed a penchant for missing tackles. The Missouri native will need to show out in training camp to make the team, but the same can be said about most players drafted in the fifth round and later.
1010XL
Gus’ grade: B-
Jacksonville finally added competition at outside cornerback. That said, Prince is a bit undersized and yet another reach. If the Jags had nabbed a Renardo Green or Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in Round 2 and then selected each of the players they’ve drafted one slot later, I think this draft would be close to a home run.
Mia’s grade: B+
Sorry Gus, but disagree, lol. IMO, the Jaguars recognized the ~value~ of waiting for Prince, and prioritized selecting a defensive tackle in Round 2 before that position group largely fell off a cliff in terms of pass-rush ability. Is Prince as “plug-and-play” as Green or Rakestraw? No. Are the Jaguars banking on Ryan Nielsen & Kris Richard developing these young defensive backs, just like Richard did with the “Legion of Boom” in Seattle? Yes. Not saying Prince will be the next Richard Sherman, but he is the flavor of press-man corner this staff seeks with 4.3 speed.
Round 5, 167th overall: Keilan Robinson, RB/KR, Texas
Times-Union
Gene’s grade: C+
It’s understandable the Jaguars want to devote the later stages of the NFL draft to help special teams, especially with the new league kickoff rules. Robinson’s big attraction is his 4.42 speed. He had only 12 carries all of last season, but had a 11.2-yard average and three touchdowns. He was primarily a kick return specialist and on punt coverage teams.
Black & Teal
Carlos’ grade: B
Unless the Jags carry four running backs in the regular season, Robinson may not crack the roster. If they only go with three, he’ll need to compete for a spot with D’Ernest Johnson, who can also contribute on special teams. At this point, the former Longhorn may be a coin flip to make the team.
1010XL
Gus’ grade: D
I see the vision in Jacksonville investing so heavily in return specialists with the league’s new kickoff rules and all, but I would’ve liked to see a few more selections like Foster and Prince (guys who could develop into key starters) before we starting prioritizing special teams. A kick returner in Round 5 doesn’t do it for me – in Round 7 or undrafted free agency, sure, go for it.
Mia’s grade: C-
The streak lives! Trent Baalke can’t help himself. He needs to take a Day 3 running back each Draft like you require sunshine living in the state of Florida. The good news is that ESPN’s Matt Miller believes Robinson may be the best return-man in the class. The bad news is the Jaguars paid a returner (and, ironically, a fellow UT product) in Devin Duvernay in free agency.
Round 6, 212nd overall: Cam Little, K, Arkansas
Times-Union
Gene’s grade: B
Though the Jaguars have only once in their history drafted a kicker (Josh Scobee, 2004), it seemed almost inevitable that it would happen this year with the right fit. Previously released NFL kickers Joey Slye and Riley Patterson, who kicked for Jacksonville in 2022, are the only ones on the roster.
Black & Teal
Carlos’ grade: A
Little has more leg strength than Patterson, and he’s more accurate than Slye, so he should be the early favorite to seize the kicker job in 2024. If he does, the Jags may, at last, be able to check off a box.
1010XL
Gus’ grade: D
Jacksonville certainly needed to add kicker competition this weekend but a better approach would have been to wait until undrafted free agency. While not as egregious, the Jaguars’ draft choices this year remind me of how confident they seemed to be of their roster last offseason. We all saw how that turned out.
Mia’s grade: A
Special Teams Coordinator Heath Farwell has found his spirit animal in 20-year old Cam Little, the youngest kicker ever drafted and the youngest player ever drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. His face may say differently, but, if only in a five-minute Zoom call and through my research, Little is wise beyond his years.
Round 7, 236th overall: Myles Cole, DE, Texas Tech
Times-Union
Gene’s grade: C+
Cole has had only one year as an edge rusher after moving from the inside. He projects as a developmental player that could find an avenue to an NFL roster via the practice squad. At 6-foot-6, 278 pounds, he has the largest wing span (86 1/4 inches) among all prospects at the NFL combine. He fits the profile for GM Trent Baalke, who loves big people with length.
Black & Teal
Carlos’ grade: B
With their last pick in the draft, the Jaguars took a player with plenty upside, defensive end Myles Cole. He’s a raw prospect who will need to work on his technique but has the size and tools to develop into an impact contributor.
1010XL
Gus’ grade: A
Hooray! The Jaguars got the type of position I was looking for, and certainly the type of prospect Baalke was looking for: Cole boasts a six-foot-six, 278-pound frame with 99th-percentile arm length. He’s very much a project, but I appreciate the Jaguars for investing something in its EDGE rotation behind Josh Allen and Travon Walker rather than drafting a third specialist.
Mia’s grade: B+
Only reason I’m tempering my excitement and staying on the “B” line is the combination of Cole’s lack of production (5.0 sacks total) despite six years in college (he turns 24 on Monday). Does he have measurable’s that cannot be taught? Absolutely. Do I trust Bill Shuey to get the most out of Cole? After guiding Travon Walker’s development to a double-digit sack artist in 2023, yes, whole heartedly. Cole is the ideal project to be inactive on gameday’s behind Walker, Josh Allen and Trevis Gipson (plus maybe another free agent signing?) before eventually taking over Gipson’s role down the line.
News 4 Jax
Jamal’s final grade: B-
This is a solid class. Is it the LSU Jaguars or Jacksonville Tigers? However you want to roll with it works. I teetered on the line between a B and a C. I like most of the picks but quite a few of them were reaches. The thing that boosted the grade for me was the trade back in the first round and landing Brian Thomas Jr.
Alessandra’s final grade: B+
I have two takeaways. First, the team made it a priority to make sure Trevor Lawrence had one of the best targets in the draft. They drafted a good wide receiver in Brian Thomas Jr. Second takeaway, the Jaguars like the Southeastern Conference. Six of the nine draft picks are from the SEC.
Justin’s final grade: B
Jacksonville did what Trent Baalke said it would do — get bigger on both lines. They really, really needed that. But they better hope this affinity for LSU players pays off. Three players from the same school is an interesting strategy.
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