3 positions where the Jaguars have Finally double dip in the 2024 NFL Draft
The Jaguars shouldn’t hesitate addressing these 3 positions more than once if they
The Jacksonville Jaguars will enter the 2024 NFL Draft with eight draft picks. That should be more than enough to keep restocking the roster after a fruitful free-agency period.
In fact, the Jags could use some of those picks to address some needs more than once. This begs the question, which positions should the front office double dip at if they get the change? Here are three that come to mind.
3. Interior Offensive line
The Jags brought back Ezra Cleveland and Brandon Scherff in the offseason. They gave the former a three-year deal worth $24 million and restructured the latter’s contract to ensure he remains in Jacksonville next season. On top of that, the inked veteran Mitch Morse to provide stability at center.
Having a trio of veterans inside should help the Jaguars do a better job of protecting Trevor Lawrence and opening holes in the running game next season. But that shouldn’t stop the Jags from adding a couple of hog mollies on Days 2 or 3.
The front office won’t probably add a center or a guard in the first or second round but they shouldn’t pass up the chance to acquire a couple of developmental linemen in the third.
Morse is still a dependable player but he isn’t getting any younger. Similarly, Scherff is entering the last year of the contract he signed in 2022. There’s no guarantee he’ll return next year, so it would be a good idea to start looking for his potential heir apparent. While they’re at it, the team’s brass should add depth on Day 3 if they get the chance.
Last year, Jacksonville lacked depth up front. They probably don’t want a repeat in 2024, so investing a couple of draft picks in the interior offensive line seems like a reasonable course of action.
2. Cornerback
The Jaguars have made several additions to their cornerback room but they don’t have any long-term answers. Signing Ronald Darby in free agency should help the void left by the departure of Darious WIlliams, but his deal is only for two years. Opposite Darby is Tyson Campbell, who is coming off an injury-riddled season. The former Georgia Bulldog is set to become a free agent in 2025 and he may not be a good fit in Ryan Nielsen’s press-heavy scheme.
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Campbell may or may not end up thriving under Nielsen, which is why Jacksonville should go cornerback early in the draft. But if they get the chance, they should also depth at the position. Montaric Brown and Gregory Junior are the top backups. Chris Braswell is also in the mix but he’s not done enough to make you think he’ll develop into a steady contributor.
