Cornerbacks and a linebacker bolster the Jaguars' defense in a new three-round mock draft, addressing key positional needs with early picks.
The NFL draft is four days away, and mock drafts are heating up before the three-day event, as PFSN's Ryan Guthrie dropped a new three-round mock on Saturday.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have four picks within the top 100 selections. While the Jaguars don't have a first-round pick in the draft, they are tied with the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots for the second-most picks, with 11.
Those selections could provide the team with additional depth and talent that could blossom into rotational or starting-caliber players.
Listed below are the four predicted selections for Jacksonville in Guthrie's mock.
Round 2 (No. 56): CB D'Angelo Ponds
Guthrie said it's necessary to select Ponds and bolster Jacksonville's secondary. The Jaguars ranked 21st in passing yards allowed (3,707).
Ponds hauled in two interceptions, 60 tackles (43 solo) and one forced fumble in his junior season with the national champion Indiana Hoosiers.
The 5-foot-9 cornerback rose to the occasion in the College Football Playoffs. His lone forced fumble came against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the quarterfinal, and his second interception came against the Oregon Ducks in the semifinal.
Paired with Montaric Brown and Hunter, Ponds could bolster the Jaguars' secondary and improve their pass defense.
Round 3 (No. 81): LB Jake Golday
Golday exploded in his senior season with the Cincinnati Bearcats, finishing third in the Big 12 in tackles with 104 (38 solo).
He showcased his pass-rushing ability with 3.5 sacks, an aspect of his game that Golday said developed in high school and at Central Arkansas, where he was positioned at defensive end.
With the departure of Devin Lloyd to the Carolina Panthers, Golday could add more depth to the linebacker position with Ventrell Miller and Foyesade Oluokun stepping up with heavier responsibilities.
Round 3 (No. 88): CB Julian Neal
Guthrie has the Jaguars adding more depth to their secondary with the selection of Neal out of Arkansas.
Neal had a breakout year in his lone season as a Razorback. He recorded 55 tackles (32 solo), 10 passes defended and two interceptions.
The 6-foot-2 cornerback transferred from Fresno State, where he spent three seasons, before joining Arkansas in the SEC.
Round 3 (No. 100): RB Adam Randall
Guthrie has Jacksonville selecting its first offensive player with the last pick of the third round.
Randall, the Clemson Tiger, rushed for 814 yards and 10 touchdowns on 168 carries. He recorded four games with 100 or more rushing yards on 15 carries or more (Troy, Syracuse, then-No. 20 Louisville and South Carolina).
The 6-foot-2 running back showcased his versatility in the receiving game, hauling in 36 catches for 368 yards and three touchdowns.
Randall could add additional depth to Jacksonville's running back room, which lost Travis Etienne Jr. to the New Orleans Saints. Bhashuyl Tuten, Chris Rodriguez Jr. and LeQuint Allen Jr. are currently on the Jags' running back depth chart.
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