Jaguars need defensive reinforcements. Discover the elite college talents poised to instantly elevate Jacksonville's secondary and linebacker corps.
With most projections pointing towards the Jacksonville Jaguars going defense at pick No. 56, Roundtable's Matthew Feldman highlighted potential offensive options to try and replace some of the production lost after Travis Etienne's departure.
However, losing All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd and veteran safety Andrew Wingard in free agency leaves some holes on the defensive side of the ball as well.
Here are some of the top defensive prospects for the Jaguars to target with their four second and third round picks in April.
Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
Draft Projection: Second-Third Round
Johnson logged 49 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, nine passes defended, four interceptions and two pick-sixes in 11 games for SDSU last season, earning the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year.
Skillset: Versatile corner, can play inside or out. Sound footwork. Would fit nicely next to Montaric "Buster" Brown, who recently signed a 3-year extension.
Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)
Draft Projection: Late First, Early Second
Rodriguez finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, winning the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player in the country) and the Butkus Award (top linebacker) en route to a Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year nod.
Skillset: Rodriguez is elite in pursuit with good instincts. Led the nation with seven forced fumbles in 2025. Would immediately fill the void left by Lloyd, slotting into a ball-hawking linebacker position.
Keionte Scott (CB, Miami)
Draft Projection: Second-Third Round
Scott posted 64 tackles during the 2025 season, including 13 for loss, while serving as the starting nickelback for a Hurricanes team that went on a run to the National Championship while relying on their defense. He was named to the Second-Team All-ACC.
Skillset: Hard-hitting, not afraid to tackle and shed bigger opponents.
Kamari Ramsey (S, USC)
Draft Projection: Late Second, Early Third Round
Ramsey played all of his college ball on the west coast, spending two seasons at UCLA before transferring to the rival Trojans. He is a rangy safety that can cover ground quickly, recording 133 career tackles, including 60 in 2024.
Skillset: Good tackling safety. 6-foot, 200-pound frame with sub-4.5 40 time.
R Mason Thomas (Edge, Oklahoma)
Draft Projection: Second Round
Thomas played four seasons at Oklahoma, recording 15.5 sacks in his junior and senior year. What Thomas lacks with his historically undersized 6-foot-2, 249 pound frame, he makes up with athleticism and a quick first step.
Skillset: Exceptional athletic ability and speed. Good angles and acceleration for pursuit in the run game. Would provide valuable snaps beside Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
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