Jaguars Seven-Round Mock Draft

Welcome to Big Cat Country’s official seven-round 2023 Jacksonville Jaguars mock draft, where we used our prospect tracker to fill in the team’s roster holes.

First round, 24th overall: Alabama S Brian Branch

General manager Trent Baalke said on Thursday, “We need as many guys to go ahead of us as possible, and hopefully we’ll have our pick of two or three guys that we have in mind right now -- it’s down to that level -- probably two to three guys that we’re really interested in, and we feel like we’ve got a good shot at one of those guys.”

Shipley and I agreed on the Jaguar Report Podcast that Branch is probably one of the prospects Jacksonville covets most at 24th overall.

Though undersized and not a premium position player, Branch is undeniably talented and a strong fit both short- and long-term. He’s often mocked to the Jaguars by plugged-in media, and the team showed its interest publicly at Alabama’s pro day.

You can read more about our take on Branch here.

Second round, 51st overall: Auburn EDGE Derick Hall

Jaguars trade: 56th overall, 208th overall, 2024 fifth-round pick

Dolphins trade: 51st overall

NFL insider Peter Schrager noted in his April 18th first-round mock, “I think it’s offensive lineman or defensive back here for the Jaguars.” Adam Caplan followed it up by writing in his April 19th mock, “From talking to NFL personnel sources on this pick, they expect it to be an offensive lineman or a cornerback.”

If these reports come to fruition, I’d be shocked if the Jaguars don’t peg an edge player with their second round pick. The team has met with nine edge prospects, eight of which are expected to be drafted by pick 56.

Head coach Doug Pederson said during the NFL’s annual owners meetings, “I think we’ve got to improve our pass rush. I think that’s vital, particularly on third down.” When asked about the pass rush and defensive line of the current roster on Thursday, he said, “that’s an area we’ve got to improve… we know that’s an area that must be addressed.”

So, after addressing its hole in the secondary with the 24th overall pick, Jacksonville moves up five spots in the second round to secure a pass rusher. Each of the four teams between 51 and 56 -- Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Detroit -- could draft an edge early, and Miami could use more picks.

Derick Hall has a strong profile with production, traits, and character to boot. He led Auburn in sacks and tackles for loss each of the past two years; posted a 9.4 RAS score to validate his on-tape explosiveness; and was a team captain with glowing leadership reviews.

One of the best speed-to-power rushers in the draft, Hall also exceeds Baalke’s length threshold with 34.5” arms.

Third round, 88th overall: Alabama OT Tyler Steen

Baalke had an interesting response on Thursday when asked if left tackle Cam Robinson will be ready for training camp: “From a health standpoint, yes.”

With Jawaan Taylor out of the building and Robinson possibly headed that way (his 2024 salary isn’t guaranteed), Jacksonville will be looking to add to its offensive line.

Position coach Phil Rauscher had a front-row seat at Alabama’s pro day to watch Tyler Steen (and Emil Ekiyor Jr.). The former Tide prospect earned starting experience at both tackle spots at Vanderbilt before transferring to Bama as a graduate student in 2022. Steen earned second-team All-SEC honors as Bryce Young’s blindside protector last season before impressing at the Senior Bowl.

His lacking arm length and powerful lower half may sound off “guard!” alarms for some, but the Jaguars are one of many NFL teams on the hunt for a reliable swing tackle. Should he make it to the third round, Steen’s experience and teachability would be hard for Jacksonville to pass on as 2023 insurance for Robinson and Walker Little.

Fourth round, 121 overall: TCU RB Kendre Miller

When asked about Jacksonville’s running back rotation at the combine, Pederson replied, “I think in today’s game you’ve got to have two to three guys. They’ve got to be able to carry the load. You’re talking about a 18-week, 17-game schedule and the postseason. It’s wear and tear on guys... You’re always looking to have two, three, four guys that can work the rotation at any given time.”

Even after signing D’Ernest Johnson, the Jaguars are interested in at least six running back draft prospects. One of those players is Kendre Miller, whom the team met with at TCU’s pro day and on a top-30 visit.

Miller doesn’t boast any elite traits and can be a little too patient when reading blocks. That said, the former Horned Frog has a well-rounded game, tough running style, and checks boxes for production as well as speed/size.

Fourth round, 127 overall: LSU DT Jaquelin Roy

Defensive line coach Brentson Buckner was seen at LSU’s pro day, and the Jaguars met with Jaquelin Roy afterwards, per Mike Garafolo.

The 6’ 3”, 305 lbs nose tackle was productive in his sole season starting in the SEC, but Roy lacked consistent finishes on tape and had an underwhelming combine performance. Still, with an NFL-ready body and flashes of Herculean strength, he checks enough boxes to be targeted early on Day 3.

Roy would immediately provide depth on the defensive line and could develop into a potential future starter. DaVon Hamilton is one of Jacksonville’s more underrated players, but his rookie contract expires after this season.

Sixth round, 185th overall: Minnesota CB Terell Smith

The Jaguars still need more talent at cornerback. Brian Branch would be the team’s only addition to its secondary this offseason, and Darious Williams (whose age-31 2024 salary isn’t guaranteed) doesn’t figure to be Jacksonville’s long-term outside starter opposite Tyson Campbell.

Smith met with the Jaguars at the combine, per Justin Melo. The Shrine Bowl standout posted a 4.41 40-yard-dash with solid size and length marks, too.

The three-year Minnesota starter isn’t ready to handle NFL receivers in coverage from Day 1 despite the fact that he’ll turn 24 this summer. However, Smith brings athletic traits and tackling ability to the plate -- making him a nice late-round addition to Jacksonville’s secondary and special teams units.

Sixth round, 202nd overall: Chattanooga OG McClendon Curtis

Ben Bartch may not be ready for the start of training camp; 31-year-old Brandon Scherff barely got through a full season last year; and Luke Fortner didn’t ease any worries about his physicality at the NFL level. Brandon Shatley, a.k.a. Mr. Dependable, could use some assistance backing up Jacksonville’s interior O-line.

According to Justin Melo, the Jaguars “routinely sent scouts to [Chattanooga] to observe Curtis” and met with him at the Senior Bowl. Curtis has great size and length, and though his technique needs work, he does come with four years of starting experience across the line.

Sixth round, 208th overall: traded to Miami

Seventh round, 226th overall: Florida WR Justin Shorter

New receivers coach Chad Hall was spotted at Florida’s pro day, and PFN’s Tony Pauline reported afterwards, “The Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars have shown plenty of interest in Shorter.”

Jacksonville’s wide receiver room is talented albeit thin, in terms of both physical size and position depth. Shorter ironically has a towering frame at 6’ 4”, 229 lbs. He also has great physicality and good-enough build-up speed, which bodes well for special teams and a potential offensive role.

Draft summary:

Pick 24: Alabama S Brian Branch

Pick 51: Auburn EDGE Derick Hall*

Pick 88: Alabama OT Tyler Steen

Pick 121: TCU RB Kendre Miller

Pick 127: LSU DT Jaquelin Roy

Pick 185: Minnesota CB Terell Smith

Pick 202: Chattanooga OG McClendon Curtis

Pick 226: Florida WR Justin Shorter

*Traded no. 56, no. 208, & 2024 5th for no. 51