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.
