How Jaguars ace their 2024 NFL Draft picks: Examining biggest needs, best fits

The Jacksonville Jaguars enter the 2024 NFL Draft with plenty of room to grow after a disappointing end to the 2023 season, losing five of the team's final six games and ultimately missing the playoffs after starting the year 8-3.

The Jaguars have already begun the heavy lifting of change this offseason, overhauling the team's defensive coaching staff and bringing in players who offer experience and leadership.

The Jaguars also let a few veteran players walk, including safety Rayshawn Jenkins, cornerback Darious Williams and defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi. Receiver Calvin Ridley was allowed to walk via free agency, ultimately signing with the Tennessee Titans.

Who did the Jaguars draft?Tracking Jacksonville's selection in 2024 NFL Draft first round

Though the team's free-agency haul was extensive, there remain holes to fill on the roster. This week's draft is the start of just that.

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Here's how Jacksonville aces the 2024 NFL Draft:

Jaguars address cornerback position early

The Jaguars enter this week's draft with one glaring need after letting Williams go before the start of the new league year: cornerback.

As of today, the Jaguars are set to enter the 2025 season with three cornerbacks under contract including, Montaric 'Buster' Brown, Christian Braswell and Ronald Darby, who the team signed earlier this offseason to a two-year deal.

Both Braswell (2023) and Brown (2022) are previous draft selections.

This year's draft offers the Jaguars a variety of top-tier prospects at the corner position, including Alabama's Terrion Arnold, Toldedo's Quinyon Mitchell and Iowa's Cooper Dejean. All players are expected to be selected in the first round of this week's draft.

The Jaguars can exit Thursday with a big smile if they land one of the early, solidifying the corner position for years to come. Perhaps they've already told us that's the direction they're headed in.

Jaguars shore up wide receiver room later in draft

There's no question that the Jaguars will have it in the back of their minds that they must give franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence more help outside at receiver.

The question becomes, when do they strike? While Jacksonville could potentially move up to select their prized possession, the most likely scenario for them to get it done will come after the first round.

Several players in that area make sense, including Florida's Ricky Pearsall, Georgia's Ladd McConkey, Oregon's Troy Franklin, FSU's Keon Coleman and Washington's Jalen McMillan, among others.

Given how deep this year's class is at receiver, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Jacksonville address the position at multiple points in the draft.

Jaguars' 2024 NFL Draft will be a success if...

The Jaguars' 2024 NFL Draft will be a success if the team is able to come away with at least three players who will be immediate contributors this season.

Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Doug Pederson have spoken about the team's onboarding process when it comes to young players. The Jaguars want to get those players up to speed quicker so they can contribute earlier in the season, perhaps in October and November instead of a year later or never.

Baalke spoke last week about the team siding in favor of need over Best Available Player (BAP) if the choices are close. That means something.

When is the 2024 NFL Draft?

The 2024 NFL draft will be April 25-27 in Detroit. The first round begins at 8 p.m. on April 25 and will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds two and three begin April 26 at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds four through seven begin Saturday at noon and will be on ESPN and NFL Network.

Where do the Jaguars pick?

Jacksonville has eight draft picks in the 2024 NFL Draft with five picks in the first 150 selections, including two selections in the fourth round.

Here are the picks held by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2024 NFL Draft:

• Round 1, pick 17
• Round 2, pick 16 (48 overall)
• Round 3, pick 33 (96 overall)
• Round 4, pick 14 (114 overall)
• Round 4, pick 16 (116 overall)
• Round 5, pick 18 (153 overall)
• Round 6, pick 36 (212 overall)
• Round 7, pick 16 (236 overall)

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X,  formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82.

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