The Jacksonville Jaguars’ lack of depth at wide receiver proved costly late in the 2023 season when Christian Kirk went down with an injury and Zay Jones struggled to produce at less than 100 percent. How aggressive will the Jaguars be in their effort to improve the position?
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Jacksonville could make a bold move in the 2024 NFL draft to add a top talent at receiver.
On Saturday night, Rapoport listed the Jaguars as one of four teams that could be interested in moving up in the draft order to target Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze.
“He also spent some time with the Colts, the Jaguars, the Rams, and the Steelers,” Rapoport said of Odunze. “The reason why those are interesting is those would be potential trade up teams. Rarely do you see a huge trade up for a receiver, but not never.”
Odunze, a two-time All-Pac-12 selection and unanimous All-American in 2023, is widely expected to be one of the first three receivers off the board in April along with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers. It’d be a surprise if Odunze was available outside the top 10 selections.
.@RomeOdunze won't leave the field until he hits his target of 6.6 on the 3 cone drill.
Total dedication. #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/vIxbd3V52k
— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2024
What would it cost for the Jaguars to slide into the first 10 picks from their current spot at No. 17 overall? Back in 2011, Jacksonville traded away its second-round pick to move up from No. 16 to No. 10 to take Blaine Gabbert. It’d likely cost a similar amount to make that kind of move in 2024.
The Jaguars’ need at receiver will likely be contingent on its negotiations with Calvin Ridley. If the team loses the veteran, it may be a pressing enough issue that Odunze is a target.
