2017 NFL Draft: Jacksonville Jaguars Late-Season 7-Round Mock Draft
The 2017 NFL Draft is going to be an important period for the Jacksonville Jaguars. With a talented roster, the Jaguars entered 2016 with a somewhat high expectations for taking a leap. Sitting at 2-11 on the season, things have obviously not worked out as planned.
This team is too talented to lose this many games. They simply need to find a way to round this roster out with good players. Let’s look ahead to the 2017 NFL Draft with a complete seven-round mock draft for the Jaguars.
This mock draft was completed using the FanSpeak On the Clock Mock Draft Simulator.
Jonathan Allen
Defensive Line, Alabama
The Jaguars have a talented defensive front. Dante Fowler Jr. and Yannick Ngakoue have a ton of ability on the outside, while Malik Jackson, Tyson Alualu and Sen’Derrick Marks have a ton of upside on the inside.
While there is a lot of talent on the defensive line, they have not performed well on a consistent basis. The Jaguars could certainly use another strong option up front. With the third-overall selection, the Jaguars add to their stock up front in the form of Jonathan Allen.
Allen is an extremely talented defensive lineman who shows an impressive combination of power and athleticism up front. Allen played defensive end for Alabama in early down work, while kicking inside on passing downs.
His ability to stop the run is top-notch, while he can create pressure from the interior as well. Simply put, Allen is a big-time playmaker up front who has a ton of upside. I expect Allen to mostly play on the interior at the next level, but his versatility across the defensive line is a plus. An extremely talented defensive lineman who is would make a talented Jaguars defense even better, Allen would be a strong first-round selection.
Sep 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Dedrick Mills (26) scores a rushing touchdown against Vanderbilt Commodores linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) in the third quarter of their game at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Yellow Jackets won 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Zach Cunningham
Linebacker, Vanderbilt
The Jaguars have allowed the fifth fewest yards per game in the NFL (316.4), but their 26 points allowed per game are the sixth most in the entire league. The potential is there for a strong defensive unit, but they have struggled to keep opposing teams out of the end zone.
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Adding Allen in the first would obviously help take them to the next level, but adding a playmaking linebacker to the mix in the second round would also help. Zach Cunningham is an extremely active and athletic linebacker who has a wide-array of skills that should translate well to the next level.
Cunningham is a long athlete who shows great quickness and incredible range on the field. He is strong in pass coverage, defends the run from sideline-to-sideline and can create pressure on an inside blitz. Cunningham does have a relatively slight frame, so there are some concerns about his ability to hold up at the next level. That being said, he is a strong player who is not afraid to mix it up on the inside. Cunningham does a great job of knifing through blockers to make plays in the backfield.
A talented player whose skill-set would fit well in the Jaguars aggressive defense, Cunningham would be a great value choice for the Jaguars in the second round.
Sep 29, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes (5) drops back to pass against the Kansas Jayhawks in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Mahomes
Quarterback, Texas Tech
Jacksonville has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. However, their 2-11 record speaks for itself. Their failures cannot be blamed on one player, but the play of quarterback Blake Bortles this season certainly has not helped. The Jaguars have invested a lot in Bortles, but he simply does not look like a very good quarterback. I do not think completely giving up on him is the right move at the moment, but they would be wise to at least have a strong back-up plan.
Here in the third round, I think it is time for the Jaguars to take a chance on a quarterback who has some upside going forward. Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes is not a perfect prospect, but he is a talented player who has some nice upside at the next level.
Mahomes is an athletic quarterback who shows a strong throwing arm. He can make any throw on the field, and while his accuracy is spotty, he places great touch on his passes. Mahomes’ college system at Texas Tech allowed him to put up ridiculous numbers, but there are questions about how it will prepare him for play at the next level. The air raid system allows for quick and easy decisions for the quarterback. Mahomes will have to prove that he can become a strong decision-maker in order to succeed in the NFL.
With all of that in mind, it is best for Mahomes to sit for a year or two before getting a full-time opportunity in the NFL. That is what makes this situation in Jacksonville so great.
The Jaguars could draft Mahomes in the third round as a high-upside potential future option at quarterback, but allow Bortles to work his stuff out on the field. If Bortles turns his career around, great. If he continues to struggle, giving Mahomes a chance to prove himself would make a ton of sense.
Sep 29, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars linebacker Steven Taylor (41) smiles after a defensive play during the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Steven Taylor
Outside Linebacker, Houston
Gus Bradley has the Jaguars playing an aggressive and physical style of defense. They have some talented linebackers who fit their system well, but I would not be surprised to see the Jaguars take a shot on some more talent at the linebacker position.
Cunningham was drafted in the second round, but he is more of an inside player who could come in and replace Paul Posluszny. Steven Taylor is an outside player who could enter the mix with guys like Telvin Smith, Dan Skuta and Myles Jack.
Taylor is an extremely active and athletic linebacker who shows a wide-range of skills. Taylor is a fantastic pass rusher from the edge, which will certainly come in handy in the Jaguars’ aggressive defensive system. On top of that, Taylor is a strong run defender who can make plays from sideline-to-sideline. He showed great versatility at Houston, consistently making plays on both the inside and outside of the field.
Taylor does have a bit of a slight frame, but he is a strong player who can handle the physical style of play in the middle of the play. Also, if nothing else, Taylor has the ideal skill-set to be a star on special teams. A talented player whose skills fit well in the Jaguars defense, Taylor is a strong choice for them in the fourth-round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Oct 24, 2015; London, United Kingdom; General view of Jacksonville Jaguars helmet at Niketown London before the International Series game against the Buffalo Bills. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Julie'n Davenport
Offensive Tackle, Bucknell
The Jaguars’ offensive tackle situation is less than ideal. Former second-overall selection Luke Joeckel has been a bust and it has hurt their entire offensive line situation. Joeckel is now a guard and the Jaguars need to figure out their long-term situation at tackle.
I considered the offensive tackle position in other rounds, but never found proper value in what appears to be a weak class at the position. Here in the fifth round, taking a shot on Julie’n Davenport out of Bucknell makes a ton of sense.
Davenport is an extremely quick and athletic offensive lineman who has legitimate left tackle upside at the next level. He has great size for the position and incredible length that he uses well to keep defensive linemen away from his body. Davenport is a high-level pass protector who has the strength and power to be a good run blocker as well. Quick feet, solid technique and great measurables are all major pluses for Davenport.
It will be interesting to see what he can do against stronger competition. Until we see that, it is difficult to predict how good Davenport will actually be. That being said, a shot at upside at a major position of need would be a strong use of a fifth-round pick.
Dec 3, 2016; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers offensive lineman Forrest Lamp (76) celebrates his teams victory following the CUSA championship game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Western Kentucky won 58-44. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Forrest Lamp
Offensive Line, Western Kentucky
Instead of reaching for offensive line early in the draft, the Jaguars are better off waiting and letting the value come to them. It worked well in the fifth round with the selection of Davenport and it happens again here in the sixth.
Forrest Lamp is an extremely active and athletic offensive lineman who shows great pass protection skills at the left tackle position. Lamp has done an extremely good job of protecting the quarterback at Western Kentucky and also shows strong run blocking ability.
While Lamp was a high-level left tackle in college, he is probably best suited to be a guard at the next level. A quick and athletic offensive lineman, Lamp would be great as a pull blocker and on trap blocks. Whether he sticks at tackle or kicks inside at guard, Lamp can be a difference-maker up front for the Jaguars. A talented player whose mix of skills should translate well to the next level.
No sixth-round prospect is perfect, but Lamp has a lot of upside on the inside at the next level. Selecting Davenport and Lamp with back to back picks would not completely fix the Jaguars’ offensive line situation. However, there is a lot of upside with both of these picks. These selections would undoubtedly be a step in the right direction.
Sep 17, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers safety Nate Gerry (25) celebrates after a tackle against the Oregon Ducks in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Nate Gerry
Safety, Nebraska
It is not easy to find sure-fire contributors in the seventh round. Players taken in the seventh round are far from a safe bet to even make the active roster once the season rolls around. That being said, there are always hidden gems just waiting for their opportunity to make plays in the NFL.
In the seventh-round of this mock draft, the Jaguars find a potential playmaking safety. Nate Gerry is a quick and instinctive player at the safety position who is not afraid of contact. Gerry shows great coverage skills on the back-end, and can come up and defend against the run.
He is not an elite-level athlete, but Gerry is a tough and productive player who consistently gets the job done. It would be difficult to find a more accomplished player in the seventh round than a guy like Gerry.
Gerry shows big-time playmaking ability as a safety on defense, but he was also a strong special teams contributor at Nebraska. A fast and tough player who never gives up on a play, Gerry can come in and be an immediate contributor on special teams. That being said, his upside on defense is for real. Landing Gerry in the seventh round would be an absolute steal for the Jaguars.