The Jaguars have a bit of a poison pill with the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. They don't need a quarterback after taking Trevor Lawrence No. 1 overall last year, but there isn't a QB prospect worth trading up for this year, which reduces the team's power in trade negotiations.
While this isn't a terrible problem to have for a team with the amount of roster holes the Jaguars need to fill, it does raise the question of whom they should take No. 1 if they don't get a viable offer for the pick.
Rumors have abounded, as they always do. After all, the Jaguars have been on the clock since the end of the regular season. Many of them feel half-baked, however. The only thing we know is that pass-rushers are likely to be the first players to come off the board.
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The players most commonly connected to the Jags have been Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux and Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson, with Georgia's Tavon Walker emerging as a dark horse. But it's worth entertaining the possibility that they may shock everyone in a draft that lacks a true standout.
Here, then, are five players the Jaguars may take with the No. 1 overall pick:
Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Why they'll take him: Thibodeaux seemed like the surefire first overall pick at the start of the 2021 college football season. He's a 6-4, 254-pound monster who produces tremendous power and leverage at the line of scrimmage. When he was on, he was one of the most feared pass rushers in the FBS.
Thibodeaux logged 19 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss in three seasons at Oregon. Though he's a different type of player, Thibodeaux was thought to have the upside of a Jadeveon Clowney. While that thought has faded over the past year, Thibodeaux is a standout in a relatively shallow draft.
Why they'll pass: Thibodeaux played in 10 games last year, but NFL personnel have expressed concern with his reliance on physicality. He isn't seen as a polished prospect by any means, which is something teams tend to look for early in the draft. With many options at the top, Thibodeaux could fall out of the No. 1 overall spot.
Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
Why they'll take him: It's hard to think of a player who did more for his resume last season. Hutchinson racked up 14 sacks for the Wolverines last season, and the defense's performance was a big part of why Michigan made the College Football Playoff. Hutchinson's leadership skills in addition to his talent made him an indelible part of that team. He became its face.
Why they'll pass: As impressive as Hutchinson was, there are concerns that last year was his ceiling. The jump in production from his previous three seasons was so massive that there's a chance it could be a fluke. Furthermore, he was flanked by David Ojabo on the other side of the defensive line, which made Hutchinson less of a focal point for opposing offenses. Hutchinson can improve, and there's no question he'll do everything in his power to do so. The question then is: Can he increase his overall size? He's listed at 6-7, 260 pounds.
Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Why they'll take him: Walker has been one of the most popular risers this offseason. He's explosive and solid both rushing the passer and stopping the run, and that versatility has helped contribute to his sudden popularity as a projected No. 1 overall pick. Walker can also move around the defensive line, further adding to his tool box.
Walker's relatively pedestrian numbers bely his athleticism, and his rawness could be spun as something to be cultivated, particularly in a draft where the No. 1 selection is likely to be a risk anyway.
Why they'll pass: Walker is possibly the least sure thing among the edge rushers. He played on a terrific Georgia defense, and there will be questions about whether he should be picked over the likes of Nakobe Dean, Jordan Davis and Lewis Cine. The answer lies in the premium nature of his position. Elite edge rushers are few and far between, but with other options at the position, Jacksonville may go elsewhere.
Although Walker may not be exactly what the Jaguars are looking for, whether they take him may depend on how coachable they think he is.
Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Why they'll take him: After drafting a quarterback, protecting him immediately becomes a top priority. Neal is 6-7 and 337 pounds and has a tremendous wingspan, which makes him an asset blocking on the outside. Neal started 26 games for Alabama, which gave him reps against some of the best pass-rushers in the country. His technique has gotten better year in and year out. He could be a high-level asset to protect Trevor Lawrence, who is the future of the Jaguars organization.
Why they'll pass: Jacksonville this offseason tendered Cam Robinson, who has been a rare bright spot on the roster. If the Jaguars want to target a different premium position and let Robinson try to earn his position, that is a viable option.
Ikem Ekwonu, OL, NC State
Why they'll take him: Whether they go with Ekwonu over Neal depends on what they value. He was known at N.C. State as a high-character player and binding force in the locker room, something the Jaguars could desperately use after last year's debacle. He's as strong in the running game as he is against pass-rushers, and he has tremendous mobility, which could serve the offense well on screens.
Why they'll pass: Ekwonu doesn't have the polish Neal possesses, and the points about Robinson still stand. He's also a bit more of a project, and the Jaguars haven't done the best job in cultivating offensive line talent outside of Robinson.
