USAT: Jaguars Wire audio clip

USAT: Jaguars Wire

Jan 30, 2022

There are several valid directions the Jaguars could go in with the first overall pick. There is no obvious value player that fits a position of need like Trevor Lawrence last year, but many feel that the team will draft either an edge rusher or pass rusher. - Even if Jacksonville chooses to go in that direction, there’s still some debate over which prospect to take. For most of the college football season, Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux, a former No. 1 overall recruit, seemed to be the guy. But that was before a breakout season from Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson, who finished as a Heisman finalist, complicated things. - Still, the latest mock draft from CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards shows the team sticking with the original plan and taking Thibodeaux. Here’s why. - - Many are quick to assume Jacksonville will take one of the talented offensive linemen available, but there is still a case to be made for edge rusher. Thibodeaux has more athletic potential than Aidan Hutchinson, so the Jaguars take the Oregon product to pair with Josh Allen. - - Thibodeaux’s talent advantage is hard to argue against, but there are valid concerns that he’s raw and Hutchinson is a more pro-ready player. Both have tremendous amounts of upside and should find success in the league, but this pick is about optimizing value for Jacksonville. - Whether that means taking Thibodeaux, Hutchinson or someone else, like Alabama left tackle, Evan Neal, the Jaguars absolutely need to get a Pro Bowl-caliber player with this pick. - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Jaguars Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Jaguars Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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