2024 NFL Draft: Who Does Mel Kiper Give Jaguars in Post-Free Agency Mock?
The 2024 NFL Draft is set to be a big one for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jacksonville is equipped with eight picks in April's draft, with extra picks in the fourth round. And after a disappointing 9-8 campaign in 2023, the Jaguars will need to make the best use of those picks.
As such, we will keep up with major mock drafts from draft experts throughout the offseason.
This time around, we take a look at the latest mock draft projection from ESPN's Mel Kiper, with the long-time draft analyst weighing in on how he sees the first round after the first major wave of free agency.
Who do the Jaguars get at No. 17 overall and what do we think of the selection?
Round 1, No. 17: Alabama CB Terrion Arnold
Cornerback was a popular position for the Jaguars in pre-free agency mock drafts. After the first major waves of free agency, it doesn't seem like that has changed much. This isn't surprising since the Jaguars swapped out one veteran cornerback for another in the Darious Williams and Ronald Darby switch.
"The Jaguars have been busy in free agency, adding defensive tackle Arik Armstead, center Mitch Morse, safety Darnell Savage and wideout Gabe Davis, among others. The position they haven't addressed enough? Cornerback, where they added veteran Ronald Darby but could still require reinforcements to play on the other side of Tyson Campbell. I like the fit of Arnold in Jacksonville, as he took a major step forward in 2023, developing into a shutdown corner. He picked off five passes and allowed only four receptions of 20-plus yards as the nearest defender in coverage," Kiper said.
"Wide receiver is another position the Jags could consider. I'm not sold on Davis as a replacement for Calvin Ridley, who signed a big deal with the Titans in free agency. Davis might be better as a No. 3 wideout with a rookie sharing snaps alongside Christian Kirk."
Kiper mocked Arnold to the Jaguars after Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, Alabama offensive lineman JC Latham, Penn State offensive lineman Olu Fashanu, Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, and Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu went off the board in the first five picks.
The five players mocked after Arnold were Oregon State offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga, Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy III, LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton, and Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins.
It is understandable why one would look to cornerback for the Jaguars at No. 17. Despite adding Darby, the Jaguars still have questions in terms of short- and long-term cornerback depth. Darby was also signed to a small two-year deal and could be a one-year fix at the position.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars used free agency to fill holes at center and defensive tackle with Mitch Morse and Arik Armstead. It sure seems like the most obvious positions to target at No. 17 are cornerback and wide receiver.
