Jaguars News (4/24): Last-minute draft buzz and trade whispers

Your one-stop shop for Jacksonville Jaguars news, opinion, and analysis.

Good morning!

Here is today’s roundup of the latest news, rumors, and analysis on your Jacksonville Jaguars.

Local chatter

Jaguars 2024 NFL Draft Guide: Building a Round 1 big board (Big Cat Country)

If Arnold and Mitchell are off the board when Jacksonville is on the clock, McKinstry has a strong shot at being the Jaguars’ first round selection.

BCC: Jaguars-themed 2024 NFL Draft Bingo cards (Big Cat Country)

On Sunday, I asked on Facebook and Twitter for your draft predictions. Your answers provided some great input and a few laughs. Based on your responses and potential draft situations, I made some Jacksonville Jaguars-themed Bingo cards for the draft.

Jaguars 2024 NFL Draft: Wide receivers to watch in each round (Big Cat Country)

There isn’t a receiver in this class who has climbed draft boards quite as much as Ricky Pearsall over the last few months. Pearsall entered draft season as a likely late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick, but his performances at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine have elevated his stock to potentially as high as the top of the second round.

Jaguars 2024 NFL Draft: Simon’s final mock [Dillon and Gus’ coming today] (Big Cat Country)

As far as designated pass rushers go, it would be hard to look past Jonah Elliss at this juncture. The former Utah defensive star is raw, and likely will need to spend some serious time in the weight room to be on the field on early downs. Whilst he doesn’t have the strength to set the edge, he can be sent after the QB when it’s time to let the rush off the leash – and underestimate his explosion and speed at your peril.

Jaguars podcast: Final 2024 NFL Draft preview show (Big Cat Country)

In the first half of the show, we went through recent reports regarding Jacksonville’s draft plans — rumors are flying about a possible trade. Then we pulled up PFF’s mock draft simulator together and wrote down (without telling each other) who we thought the Jaguars would select at each slot. We revealed each of our full mocks at the end of our show, as well as our official final predictions for who will become a Jaguar tomorrow night.

2024 NFL draft news: Intel on top picks, prospects, sleepers (ESPN)

The people I talk to think we’re likely to see more trades in the second half of the first round than in the first half. The Colts (No. 15), Jaguars (No. 17), Rams (No. 19) and Eagles (No. 22) are all teams I’ve heard have been making calls about potentially moving up.

For the Colts and Jaguars, the target would most likely be a cornerback, which might be interesting to a team like Chicago at No. 9 or Denver at No. 12. Having two division rivals battling it out to trade up for the same guy (maybe Alabama’s Terrion Arnold?) could drive up the price.

2024 NFL mock draft: Miller predicts 32 first-round picks (ESPN)

The Jaguars’ need at cornerback has been mentioned to me a lot. Other teams see Jacksonville as a franchise that you have to jump if you want one of the top corners in the class. But I have the Jags landing the draft’s CB1 in Arnold without moving anywhere. A physical cover man with textbook technique at the line of scrimmage, Arnold would fill a hole in the secondary opposite Tyson Campbell. One additional note, though: Don’t rule out a wide receiver here.

Report: Free agent former Jaguars DE visits AFC South rival (Jags Wire)

Former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end and current free agent Dawuane Smoot visited the Houston Texans on Wednesday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.

Jaguars Mailbag: What Do We Think Happens During the 2024 NFL Draft? (Jaguar Report)

Q: What’s the earliest non OL/DL/CB/WR pick that makes sense?

Round four, maybe? I could see the Jaguars taking a safety or a linebacker there. Most fans don’t seem to expect either, but I would be somewhat surprised if they ignored both positions. I don’t think it happens Day 2, though.

National links

RB Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys met Wednesday about possible return (NFL.com)

DE Trey Hendrickson requests trade from Bengals; team says it won’t move him (NFL.com)

Cowboys pick up DE Micah Parsons’ fifth-year rookie option (NFL.com)

Bears unveil plan for lakefront stadium, seek public funding to make it happen (NFL.com)

LSU QB Jayden Daniels dismisses reports he doesn’t want to play for Commanders (NFL.com)

Lions agree to terms with OT Penei Sewell on four-year, $112 million contract extension (NFL.com)

Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown agrees to four-year, $120 million extension (NFL.com)

Ravens extend receiver Rashod Bateman through 2026 (ESPN)

Bengals pick up fifth-year option on receiver Ja’Marr Chase (ESPN)

Sources: Steelers not expected to pick up Justin Fields option (ESPN)

Report: Deebo Samuel ‘assured by his bosses’ that he won’t be dealt during the draft (Niners Nation)

Bill Belichick’s NFL media plans for 2024: ‘Manningcast,’ a book deal and possibly a podcast (The Athletic)

Russini: What I’m hearing about the NFL Draft and Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and teams moving up (The Athletic)

Which Teams at the Top of the NFL Draft Should Be Trading? Let’s Play ‘Deal or No Deal.’ (The Ringer)

Editor’s pick

Reggie Bush reinstated as 2005 Heisman Trophy winner; changes in NCAA rules led to decision (NFL.com)

Reggie Bush has been reinstated as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner more than a decade after Southern California returned the award following an NCAA investigation that found he received what were impermissible benefits during his time with the Trojans, the Heisman Trust announced Wednesday.

Must-see media

Shad Khan makes an appearance at the very end

Daily poll

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!