The 2020 NFL Draft is less than a week away. The Jacksonville Jaguars have 12 picks in the draft and it’s important for them to do well. While this year’s draft will be different due to the coronavirus, teams have had to rely on tape and conducting video calls. On Thursday, Doug Marrone and Dave Caldwell had a meeting with the media to discuss the draft. There were some interesting points. One important one was Caldwell mentioning that this year’s draft is deeper on the offensive line than the defensive line. There’s a big drop off in talent after the premier defensive players. Knowing that gives an insight into how the Jaguars may approach their first few picks in this mock draft.
In this seven-round mock draft, I will not be predicting what will happen. However, these picks are meant to address what the team should do in this year’s draft.
Jacksonville Jaguars Seven Round Mock Draft
First Round (9th Overall): Javon Kinlaw, IDL [NFL Draft Profile]
Kinlaw is among the top two defensive lineman in the draft this year. Derrick Brown is considered the number one interior defensive lineman. However, he’ll likely be off the board by the ninth pick. Kinlaw is no consolation prize, though. He’s a very powerful defender who will make a quick impact. The Jaguars need to improve their run game, and Kinlaw has the tools to do that.
First Round (20th Overall): Denzel Mims, WR [NFL Draft Profile]
The Jacksonville Jaguars were lucky that D.J. Chark made a big jump in his sophomore campaign. Their receiving corps isn’t bad, but adding another outside man to stretch the field could do wonders for the offense. Denzel Mims is a big man. He stands at 6’3” and weighs 207 pounds. Mims has the speed and traits to make for a dynamic player and a good weapon for Gardner Minshew. Mims had 66 receptions for 1020 yards and 12 touchdowns his senior year.
Second Round (42nd Overall): Trevon Diggs, CB [NFL Draft Profile]
The Jaguars must address cornerback early in the draft. After trading Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, the secondary is a shell of its former self. Trevon Diggs has the size and physical traits you want out of a defensive back. He improved each year in college, and had three interceptions and eight pass break ups his last season. Diggs would have the opportunity to compete and likely start immediately on the outside.
Third Round (73rd Overall): Prince Tega Wanogho, OT [NFL Draft Profile]
Wanogho is an under the radar offensive lineman. Tristan Wirfs, Jedrick Wills, Mekhi Becton, and Andrew Thomas are the top names many think of. However, Wanogho’s potential is about as high as any of this year’s offensive line prospects. He’s got the physical tools necessary to be good starting right or left tackle. His technique could use some work, but drafting him would give good competition to Cam Robinson in order to shore up the line.
Fourth Round (116th Overall): Kenny Robinson, Safety
Kenny Robinson is a safety out of West Virginia. He played two seasons before being dismissed due to an academic violation. In his two college years, Robinson had seven interceptions. The 6’2” athlete took his chances in the XFL this year. Though the XFL was short-lived due to the coronavirus, Robinson collected two interceptions, two pass breakups, and 21 tackles in five games. Robinson has the skills to go much higher in this draft, but he would pair well with Jaguars strong safety Ronnie Harrison if the team is able to snag him.
Fourth Round (137th Overall): Ben Bredeson, IOL [NFL Draft Profile]
Ben Bredeson was a four year starter at Michigan. He has good size, but will likely initially be a rotational guard. The Jaguars are a young team, and need good depth on the offensive line. Even though Marrone is confident in the line, picking a lineman here ensures the team is keeping competition a focus.
Fourth Round (140th Overall): Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR [NFL Draft Profile]
Here the Jacksonville Jaguars select another wide receiver. Gandy-Golden has similar size to that of Mims. However, his speed isn’t quite there. Gandy-Golden impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl. The Jaguars have a history of drafting players who shine at the Senior Bowl and this could be the case with Gandy-Golden.
Fifth Round (157th Overall): Anfernee Jennings, EDGE [NFL Draft Profile]
Anfernee Jennings is a red-shirt senior out of Alabama. He by no means would be an immediate replacement for Yannick Ngakoue. However, he’s got sound technique and is a reliable run defender. Josh Allen is the best pass rusher on the Jaguars, and whoever come in will have a chance to compete and learn from the young defender.
Fifth Round (165th Overall): Josiah Deguara, TE [NFL Draft Profile]
Josiah Deguara is a tight end who played college ball at Cincinnati. He does not project to be a team’s primary tight end, but he’s a scrappy blocker. With Tyler Eifert in the mix in Duval, Deguara could provide depth. No one knows how Josh Oliver will progress in his second season. Adding Deguara would hedge the team’s bets in a year that lacks blue-chip talent at the tight end position.
Sixth Round (189th Overall): J.R. Reed, Safety [NFL Draft Profile]
Reed started 42 games at safety for the Georgia Bulldogs. He’s got good size and intelligence but doesn’t have dazzling skills. He needs to lean on his competitive toughness at the next level to succeed. Reed could see reps on special teams as well and he should use those reps to display his toughness.
Sixth Round (206th Overall): Deejay Dallas, RB [NFL Draft Profile]
Deejay Dallas is a quarterback turned running back. He played three years at Miami was also a modest receiving threat. He won’t be a replacement for Leonard Fournette should the team decide to part ways next year. However, he could be a good rotational runner that develops into a dependable pass protector.
Seventh Round (223rd Overall): Steven Montez, QB [NFL Draft Profile]
The Jaguars like to roster three quarterbacks. They currently only have two (Minshew and Josh Dobbs). Montez does not project to be a starting-caliber signal-caller in the NFL. In the worst-case scenario, he’s a camp arm that the Jags have at their disposal and then cut to make room for a position of higher need to get to 53 men. He could get stashed on the practice squad.
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