The Jacksonville Jaguars have plenty of draft capital in the 2021 NFL Draft to work with. However, following the failed Tom Coughlin experience, the franchise has had to part ways with several unhappy players.In this 2021 Mock Draft, we’ll take control of the Jaguars front office and rebuild the franchise.
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First Round – Pick 5
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
This 2021 Mock Draft puts the Jaguars in a tough position. They need a quarterback and an offensive tackle to protect him. However, Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Trey Lance, and Penei Sewell are all off the board in the first four picks. That puts four of the best players in Jacksonville’s most pressing needs off the board. We could see an additional offensive tackle rise up drat boards, such as Samuel Cosmi from Texas, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Therefore, let’s go after the top defensive prospect in this draft class. Micah Parsons is an inside linebacker, but possesses abilities to rush off the edge. Jacksonville has had to deal away talent following the failed Tom Coughlin experiment. As a result, they’re lacking talent on both sides of the ball. Parsons is the type of player that the Jaguars will be able to build around long-term.
First Round – Pick 26
Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
Let me start off by saying that I find it unlikely that Kyle Trask will be available at pick 26. With that being said, the Jaguars have the draft capital to move up from this spot in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, in this 2021 Mock Draft, I’m not doing any trades, so the Jaguars are stuck where they are.
Kyle Trask has shown astronomical improvement this season. With Feleipe Franks transferring to Arkansas, Trask was given the keys to the offense. Jacksonville has taken risks on several quarterbacks in the past, but Kyle Trask seems like the most reliable option for the franchise long-term.
Second Round – Pick 37
Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
As I mentioned previously, the Jacksonville Jaguars are loaded with draft capital. They have the opportunity this offseason to reload and minimize the longevity of a rebuild. In the first round, we found the top defensive prospect and a quarterback to build around.
Here in the second round, we’ve selected an offensive tackle to protect our franchise quarterback. Daniel Faalele is a fun offensive lineman to watch. He has the athleticism and abilities to start from day one. More so, by selecting Faalele, the Jaguars will have flexibility to put the best five offensive lineman on the field.
Second Round – Pick 44
Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
With their first four picks in this 2021 Mock Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars have addressed four of their most pressing needs. I contemplated having them select a cornerback with their first pick in this draft, but eventually decided against it.
As it played out, the Jaguars are able to find value at the position in the second round. If the name is familiar, it’s because his father played in the NFL from 2003-2013. By drafting a prospect such as Asante Samuel Jr., they’ll find a defensive back that’s able to contribute on day one.
Third Round – Pick 69
Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
With Josh Jones set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, Jacksonville should address the need. I don’t know if the Jaguars need to do it here in the third round, but with Trevon Moehrig on the board in this 2021 Mock Draft, they should pull the trigger. Moehrig offers the franchise some depth in the secondary. As we’ve seen this season, injuries can wreak havoc on a franchise early.
Fourth Round – Pick 106
Hunter Long, TE, Boston College
The tight end position is one that Jacksonville needs to address in the offseason. The franchise has a club option on Tyler Eifert and is backup, James O’Shaughnessy is set to become an unrestricted free agent.
Hunter Long is a vertical tight end that allows the Jaguars to push the ball downfield. Furthermore, even if the Jaguars bring Tyler Eifert back, they’ll upgrade the backup position, which aids in Kyle Trask’s development.
Fourth Round – Pick 127
Ronnie Perkins, EDGE, Oklahoma
As the saying goes, a team can never have too many pass rushers. I mentioned this earlier, but in the aftermath of Tom Coughlin, Jacksonville has had to part ways with unhappy players, such as Yannick Ngakoue.
Ronnie Perkins isn’t a replacement for Ngakoue, but he does fill a role. The Jaguars will need to refine his mechanics and develop him, but it’s a move that could pay dividends for them down the road.
Fifth Round – Pick 145
Pooka Williams, RB, Kansas
Prior to the start of the season, Jacksonville released Leonard Fournette. They’ve found success with James Robinson in the backfield, however, Chris Thompson and Dare Ogunbowale are set to become unrestricted free agents. For the Jaguars, Pooka Williams is a steal in the fifth round of this 2021 Mock Draft.
Fifth Round – Pick 162
Dazz Newsome, WR, North Carolina
In the first round of this 2021 Mock Draft, we got the Jaguars a franchise quarterbacking Kyle Trask. With this pick in the fifth round, we’re going to give Trask an offensive weapon to work with. Even with Laviska Shenault Jr. on the roster, I still think another young receiver would be smart in the long run.
I’ve been high on Newsome’s teammate Dyami Brown, but with this pick, let’s look at Newsome for a minute. Typically, Newsome works out of the slot and is usually found downfield or along the sidelines for North Carolina. Jacksonville, if they wish, could use him in the same manner.
Seventh Round – Pick 227
Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
I want to start this off with two things. One, I dislike drafting a quarterback and a favorite receiver of his in the same draft. Second, I equally dislike drafting back-to-back receivers for a team. However, hear me out.
Kadarius Toney is a versatile playmaker on offense. Similar to Dazz Newsome, Toney typically works out of the slot. Despite that, I think they can use Toney in a a variety of ways. For example, he can be used in the slot, on the outside in space, or even out of the backfield.
Seventh Round – Pick 246
Elerson Smith, EDGE, Northern Iowa
I don’t know if there was a 2021 NFL Draft prospect more impacted by the coronavirus pandemic than Elerson Smith. He’s a talented edge rusher that was a man among boys in the FCS. Smith originally entered the transfer portal when the Missouri Valley Football Conference cancelled their season. However, shortly thereafter, he withdrew from the portal and declared for the 2021 NFL Draft. Here in the seventh round, Elerson Smith will end up being an absolute steal.