A first round pick is one of the most valuable assets an NFL team has.

Whether the team uses it to draft its next generation of star talent, or trades it away for an established veteran who can help win now, teams must get a great return on their investment.

If they do, it won't be long before they have a young core capable of competing for a Super Bowl. If a team misses on a first-round pick, especially a quarterback, it can set the franchise back years, and possibly cost the head coach and/or general manager his job.

There have been 191 total first-round picks made since 2020. 

Which ones have proven to be the best? Which were the worst?

A fantastic article by Mike Renner of CBS Sports goes through every first-round pick of the decade and ranks them from number 1 all the way to number 191. Renner then shows each team's picks and how many of its picks rank in the top, middle, or bottom third of his rankings.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have made a total of nine first-round picks since 2020.

Which ones does Renner think have been their best? Which are the worst?

Unsurprisingly, quarterback Trevor Lawrence is the Jags' top-ranked first-round pick of the decade. However, he is only ranked the 62nd best out of 191. Coincidentally, Lawrence was also just named the NFL's 62nd-best player.

Even with Lawrence's spectacular 2025 season, Renner still believes he has fallen short of the enormous expectations that he came into the league with.

The other Jags' first-rounders ranked in Renner's top 100 were Brian Thomas Jr. (ranked 71), Anton Harrison (73), and Devin Lloyd (88). 

Next up were Travon Walker (123), Travis Hunter (125), Travis Etienne (136), K'Lavon Chaisson (163), and C.J. Henderson (182).

Renner believes the hope for this group to be thought better of in the future lies with Thomas and Harrison.

"Jags fans have been through enough that I don't have to rehash all nine first-rounders here. Even their biggest hit in Trevor Lawrence has been a disappointment relative to expectations. The two guys who could really turn this thing around, Brian Thomas Jr. and Anton Harrison, have both flashed big-time talent throughout their careers, but consistency will determine whether they reach the top third by the time their rookie contracts are up."

The Jags placed only one first-round pick in the top third of the rankings, five in the middle third, and three in the bottom third. As a group, Jacksonville's nine first-round picks this decade are not thought of very highly, though I believe many are greatly underrated.

While it is true that Lawrence did not meet the high expectations of a top overall pick early in his career, he showed tremendous growth in 2025. He finished fifth in MVP voting, and is still only 26 years old. 

Lawrence could just be a (kinda) late-bloomer, and it certainly helps that he finally has a stable (and competent) coaching staff to play for.

He has become a true franchise quarterback, and should be ranked much higher than 62.

Walker and Hunter being ranked only 123 and 125 is shocking. Even though their expectations are higher than most first-rounders, with Walker being a top overall pick, like Lawrence, and Hunter being drafted second, both have become two of Jacksonville's most important players.

Walker had two straight seasons of recording double-digit sacks before playing through various injuries last year. Hunter was hitting his groove as a rookie wide receiver before hurting his knee. Now, he will be used primarily on defense and is expected to become the Jags' CB1. 

Lloyd was an All-Pro last season before leaving as a free agent. And while there will always be a debate about a running back being picked in the first round, Etienne was the Jags' top backfield option for five years, all on a rookie contract. Having a starter on a cheap rookie deal is incredibly valuable.

Overall, I believe many of Jacksonville's first-round picks have been grossly undervalued, especially considering that Lawrence, Hunter, and Walker are three core players on a 13-win team.

You don't become a 13-win team by drafting first-round busts for half a decade.

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