2024 NFL Draft scenarios: How the Jaguars can improve their cornerback room

As the 2024 NFL Draft quickly approaches, we at the Florida Times-Union are taking the next couple of weeks to break down various draft scenarios for the Jacksonville Jaguars to improve positions of need.

Through the first few months of the offseason, the Jaguars worked to rebuild their roster with general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Doug Pederson targeting leadership on both sides of the football.

In the cornerback room specifically, the team added veteran Ronald Darby and safety Darnell Savage via free agency. Pederson said Savage will see time as the nickel cornerback in new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s scheme.

They cut Darious Williams but return starter Tyson Campbell, along with depth players Gregory Junior, Christian Braswell, Montaric Brown, Tevaughn Campbell, Amani Oruwariye and Erick Hallett III.

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But the team will need to add solution(s) at cornerback long-term as they contend with quarterbacks C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis.

Especially as star wide receiver Stefon Diggs joins the division and Calvin Ridley teams up with DeAndre Hopkins in Tennessee.

As part of our draft preview coverage, let's take a look at three scenarios the Jaguars could take to improve the cornerback room.

2024 NFL Draft Scenario No. 1: Jaguars stay at No. 17, select best corner available

The Jaguars are going to have to draft a cornerback this year.

Lucky for Jacksonville, the top of the draft is stacked with talent and several cornerbacks will be pushed down the board.

At pick No. 17 the Jaguars could be in prime position to snag a corner who can come in and start from day one.

From Kool-Aid McKinstry, Terrion Arnold, Nate Wiggins, Quinyon Mitchell or Cooper DeJean, Jacksonville will be able to find the player they need to stabilize its cornerback room.

Mitchell is viewed as the best corner in this class by some. His speed and versatility makes him a commodity and he could be off the board before Jacksonville picks.

Wiggins showed off his blazing speed at the combine, running a 4.28 officially. He would be a good pick as well, but the Jaguars might be interested in Arnold or McKinstry more.

Both corners are from Alabama and played in the SEC. They have the physical build to compete week in and out with NFL receivers.

For the sake of this scenario, we’ll say they’ll draft Arnold, but don’t be surprised if it’s any of the players above who’re drafted.

2024 NFL Draft Scenario No. 2: Jaguars address cornerback on the second day of the draft

It’s not guaranteed the Jaguars will take a corner on night one of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Jaguars might use their first-round pick to address a need at another position, opting for wide receiver, offensive tackle or along the defensive line instead.

We discussed a scenario where the team uses draft capital to spring into the top 10 picks and select one of the three best receivers in an earlier preview.

If they go this route, there are options in the second and third round who’d still be available and able to make an impact. The Jaguars already have a perfect example of a day two find in the secondary who became a staple for their team.

Tyson Campbell was drafted in the second round of the 2021 draft and is headed for his third season as a starter.

This year’s draft class features players like T.J. Tampa, Mike Sainristil, Ennis Rakestraw, Kamari Lassiter and Khyree Jackson who’ll all likely be second day picks.

Jackson is an interesting prospect because of his 6-foot-3 frame, making him equipped to battle with taller and longer receivers in the league.

Sanristil played nearly 1,000 snaps from the slot in his college career according to Pro Football Focus. Drafting him would give the Jaguars a designated corner to play in nickel packages and would add depth behind Savage.

But Tampa’s upside is the tipping point here and would be a good second round investment if he’s available.

2024 NFL Draft Scenario No. 3: Jaguars trade up, take Quinyon Mitchell ahead of pick No. 17

Baalke has shown that he has no issues with pick swapping on draft day.

He traded down in the first round before selecting Anton Harrison last year. The year before, he jumped back into the first round to select Devin Lloyd.

This scenario would have him leaping up a few spots via trade to draft Quinyon Mitchell earlier than pick No. 17.

There are several corner needy teams ahead of Jacksonville. The Colts and Broncos both need stability in the secondary and could be looking to draft a corner.

If the Jaguars like Mitchell enough, they’ll try to get ahead of those teams to lock him down.

With 4.33 speed and good size, he’d be a staple in Jacksonville’s secondary from the day he’s selected.

However, with the depth of talent in this draft, this is the least likely scenario to play out.

Juston Lewis is a Jacksonville Jaguars beat reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on the website formerly known as Twitter at @JustonLewis_.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars 2024 NFL Draft: 3 scenarios to fix cornerbacks room