Jacksimville targets 'Jaguar DNA' players, prioritizing defense early and often. Discover their predicted picks to bolster both sides of the ball.
The NFL draft is one day away, and analyst Chad Reuter pumped out his final mock draft last Friday before the three-day event.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have 11 picks this year, and Reuter projects the team to have a balanced draft with six defensive and five offensive players selected.
Coming off a 13-4 season that cemented their third AFC South titles, the Jaguars are aiming to select players who have the "Jaguar DNA," coined by general manager James Gladstone in "The Hunt" YouTube series.
Listed below are all 11 selections Reuter projects Jacksonville to make, starting on Friday.
Round 2 (56th): LB Anthony Hill Jr.
Reuter projects the Jaguars to address one of their three needs in the draft with Hill Jr., coming out of Texas.
A hometown hero for the Longhorns, Hill Jr. totaled 70 tackles (38 solo), four sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions. He could slot in as an immediate starter for the Jaguars, who lost Devin Lloyd in free agency to the Carolina Panthers.
JaguarsRoundtable reporter Jeremy Ballreich highlighted Hill Jr.'s versatility at Texas and said he brings "downhill aggression, controlled chaos and a relentless motor."
Round 3 (81st): Edge Keyron Crawford
Jacksonville selects another positional need with the edge rusher out of Auburn. Crawford recorded 38 tackles (28 solo), five sacks, one interception and one forced fumble in his senior season.
The edge rusher position is preoccupied by Travon Walker, whom the Jaguars extended, and Josh Hines-Allen. However, the team could use depth at these positions in case of injuries.
Round 3 (88th): CB Tacario Davis
The Jaguars add more depth to the cornerback position with Davis, out of Washington. Davis did not have an impressive year with the Huskies due to hamstring and rib injuries, but he still hauled in two interceptions and returned them for 34 yards.
He made the 2nd-team All-Big 12 in 2024, as he was tied for the most pass breakups on the Wildcats with six. Davis' previous performances showcase that he could be a reliable backup for Jacksonville.
Round 3 (100th): WR Bryce Lance
The Jaguars break the defensive trend with their first offensive selection to close out Day 2. Lance, from North Dakota State, had a stellar senior season and a combine performance.
He finished with a 98 athleticism score (second among wide receivers), an 86 total score (second) and 76 production score (fifth). Lance made the first-team Associated Press FCS All-American, first-team All-Missouri Valley and ranked sixth in the FCS with 21.1 yards per catch.
Round 4 (124th): DT DeMonte Capeheart
Jacksonville addresses its third positional need in the draft: the defensive tackle. Capeheart, from Clemson, recorded 20 tackles (12 solo) and one sack in his senior season.
While his production score (64) ranked 15th in the combine, his athleticism score (87) and total score (71) ranked within the top 10. Capeheart could provide additional depth behind Arik Armstead, DaVon Hamilton and newly-acquired Ruke Orhorhoro.
Round 5 (164th): RB Kaelon Black
Reuter projects the Jaguars to draft Black from Indiana. Although the position isn't a significant need for Jacksonville, as they have Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez Jr., LeQuint Allen Jr. and DeeJay Dallas, Black could compete for the backend position of the depth chart.
He rushed for over 1,000 yards and had 10 touchdowns in his senior season as a Hoosier, and rushed for 79 yards in the national championship game against No. 10 Miami.
Round 5 (166th): S Michael Taaffe
Jacksonville returns to the defensive side of the ball two picks later by selecting Taaffe out of Texas. A hometown hero like Hill Jr., Taaffe had 70 tackles (38 solo), one pass defended, one sack and two interceptions.
Taaffe is projected as a backup or special teamer for the Jaguars, according to his 5.82 prospect grade from his combine performance.
Round 6 (203th): OT Alan Herron
Herron, out of Maryland, has played right tackle for the majority of his collegiate career. He made three starts at left tackle for Shorter University in 2023.
The Jaguars exercised Anton Harrison's fifth-year option, so the right tackle position is locked down, meaning Herron could have to fight for a spot elsewhere on the offensive line.
Round 7 (233rd): OG Caden Barnett
Jacksonville makes back-to-back offensive line picks with Barnett from Wyoming. Barnett showcased some positional versatility, as he was mainly a right tackle before transitioning to right guard.
Lance Zierlein, an NFL analyst, said Barnett is best suited for inside-zone and gap-scheme assignments and has experience in the wide zone.
Round 7 (240th): Edge Tyreak Sapp
Here, the Jaguars select their first repeat position. Sapp, out of Florida, totaled 34 tackles (12 solo) and one sack in his senior season with the Gators.
He had a down year but has shown flashes of getting to the quarterback and forcing turnovers in previous seasons. Sapp had seven sacks and two forced fumbles in the 2024 season.
Round 7 (245th): TE Matthew Hibner
Jacksonville ends the draft by selecting Hibner from SMU. Hibner hauled in 31 receptions, 436 yards and four touchdowns in his senior year.
His 14.1 yards per catch ranked 20th in the conference, and he earned All-ACC honorable mention.
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