Mock Draft
12/4/24
8 min read
Jacksonville Jaguars 2025 7-Round NFL Mock Draft: Finding Support for Trevor Lawrence
The Jacksonville Jaguars are back at the drawing board.
Injuries to star QB Trevor Lawrence and a head coach on his way out in Doug Pederson have derailed yet another Jaguars season in 2024. Things are so bad that the Jaguars would have the No. 1 overall pick if the season ended before Week 14.
The good news is that there are still young pieces to build around on this team, including the likes of Lawrence, Brian Thomas Jr., Travon Walker, and Josh Hines-Allen. With those pieces already in place, Jacksonville could turn things around quickly in 2025 with the right coaching hire and a strong draft class.
Jaguars 2025 NFL MOck Draft
If you either:
— Lawrence Jackson Jr. (@LordDontLose) November 29, 2024
A. Believe Travis Hunter should win the Heisman
Or
B. Want Travis Hunter to win the Heisman
…do not, I repeat DO NOT waste your breath debating it w/ ppl anymore. Its a pointless excerise against ppl fighting for they lives pic.twitter.com/IYDSabvQV3
Round 1, 1st overall
Pick: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado 
The Jaguars are committed to Lawrence for the long haul, so if they don't need a quarterback, they might as well take the best player in the draft class by selecting Travis Hunter.
Hunter's biggest question going into the NFL is which position he'll play full-time at the next level. He has shown out as one of the best cornerbacks and wide receivers in college football, possessing elite athletic ability and stamina to do so.
For the Jaguars, Hunter could be an ideal fit as a full-time cornerback alongside Tyson Campbell while being given some specific offensive packages to continue to be a dual-threat weapon. Anyone not willing to let Hunter play both sides of the football in some capacity could be doing the league a disservice until he proves he's incapable of playing receiver and corner at the same time.
Travis Hunter's Full Scouting Report, Pro Comp
Round 2, 35th Overall
Pick: Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia 
After taking the best player in the draft, the Jaguars can turn their attention to building out their offensive line in the second round.
Wyatt Milum is an experienced left tackle for West Virginia, having started the last three seasons at the position. However, his frame and play style could allow him to kick inside to guard and potentially even to center if he's comfortable with snapping.
Milum is one of the most underrated prospects in this class. He's an elite pass protector who hasn't allowed a single sack over the last three seasons, with just seven pressures allowed in 2024. He's a fluid mover who can fly out of his stance into his pass sets. While he's not the biggest or strongest blocker in the run game, he plays with such good technique and pad level that it covers up a lot of his deficiencies.
The Jaguars could draft Milum and plug him in wherever he is needed on their offensive line.
Wyatt Milum's Full Scouting Report, Pro Comp
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts has been a ballhawk and turnover machine the last two seasons — 12 interceptions and 2 FFs in that time frame. But his instincts, ability to run the alley in run fits, and handle half field responsibilities in coverage really stand out in his game. pic.twitter.com/RAto2fNjl6
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) December 2, 2024
Round 3, 66th Overall
Pick: Xavier Watts, SAF, Notre Dame
The Jaguars need impact safety, and Andre Cisco has taken a step backward this season after showing real promise in previous years. At the same time, free agent Darnell Savage hasn't been impactful enough to be viewed as a long-term starter.
Xavier Watts could come into Jacksonville and be a turnover machine in the right defensive scheme. The Bronko Nagurski Award winner in 2023 led college football with seven interceptions last season, only to rack up five more in 2024.
Along with excellent ball skills and instincts, Watts has the play speed and competitive toughness to be an asset as an alley defender in the run game. With a lighter frame, he's at risk of getting bullied and can get caught being overly aggressive, leading to whiffs.avier
However, there aren't many players in this class with Watts' instincts, making him a great value pick in the third round.
Round 3, 92nd Overall
Pick: Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State
It's been a season to forget for the Florida State Seminoles, including for EDGE Patrick Payton.
After flashing behind Jared Verse with seven sacks and two forced fumbles in 2023, Payton has been much less productive this season with four sacks and zero FFs. His pressure numbers have also plummeted.
However, Payton is still a toolsy prospect with tons of potential. His 2023 tape showed a lengthy, twitched-up prospect with bend to win consistently as a pass rusher. He also was learning how to use his length to his advantage against the run, getting extended and disengaging at the point of attack to make plays on ball carriers.
While Payton might need some more time to reach his full potential, Jacksonville's situation is perfect, as it could allow him to hold down a rotational role behind Hines-Allen and Walker.
Alabama center Parker Brailsford playing at a really high level this season. pic.twitter.com/cRqVgEYeEw
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) November 11, 2024
Round 4, 102nd Overall
Pick: Parker Brailsford, iOL, Alabama
Mitch Morse will be 33 years old next season and hasn't exactly been a world-beating center this year. While it might be too much to cut bait from an established veteran like Morse, the Jaguars could at least draft his successor in the later rounds.
It's a weak center class, but Parker Brailsford might be the best center in college football. A transfer out of Washington, Brailsford showed up in Tuscaloosa and continued to play at a high level. While he's undersized and at risk of getting bullrushed, he's an excellent mover in space and has the tenacity and mental processing to handle the responsibilities of playing center.
Round 4, 129th overall
Pick: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
Even if Hunter ends up playing some receiver, the Jaguars should continue to prioritize depth at wide receiver, particularly in the slot.
Injuries have derailed Burks' first year at Oklahoma, but the former Purdue wideout shined during his time with the Boilermakers. He's a terrific athlete with excellent top-end play speed in a 5-foot-9 frame, allowing him to be a legitimate vertical threat while still creating separation underneath.
That frame will hurt him against more physical defensive backs, but Burks could be a fun piece when healthy who could compete for reps in the slot.
Jay Higgins with a perfect punch out to get @HawkeyeFootball a turnover. pic.twitter.com/OC6GG5KqDx
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) October 5, 2024
Round 5, 141st Overall
Pick: Jay Higgins, LB, Iowa
It's unclear if the Jaguars will keep a 4-3 defensive scheme, and it'll depend on who the defensive coordinator is in 2025. Regardless, the Jaguars should continue to add linebacker depth, even with a handful of promising young players already on their roster.
Iowa consistently produces competitive off-ball linebackers. Higgins is a smaller ILB at 6-foot-2 and 232 pounds, but that hasn't stopped him from being a productive playmaker on Iowa's defense. He finished the regular season with 118 tackles, five pass breakups, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Higgins is a terrific linebacker in coverage, moving well in open space. He's also a consistent tackler, coming in with good technique and pad level to make up for his lack of size.
Round 6, 178th Overall
Pick: DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby are a strong one-two combo in Jacksonville's backfield, but the Jaguars could still use another playmaker in the backfield with upside.
DJ Giddens is a different kind of backup RB to Bigsby. While the current Jaguars RB2 is a straight-line runner with downhill explosiveness and intensity, Giddens brings patience and elusiveness with his running style. His ability to make a defender miss and take off has helped him generate 25 runs of 15-plus yards for Kansas State this season.
He's not the biggest or strongest back and won't burn past defenders. However, his wiggle and flexibility make him an intriguing late-round flier.
DJ Giddens Full Scouting Report, Pro Comp
DIEGO. PAVIA. WHAT A PLAY#2Turnt | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/fBBDSCo9Hb
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) November 9, 2024
Round 6, 196th Overall
Pick: Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
Mac Jones doesn't bring much juice as a backup quarterback. While he can hold his own and do enough to stay somewhat competitive when playing, he doesn't have the versatility and excitement factor that Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia could bring as a QB2.
Pavia is an undersized quarterback at 6 feet, 200 pounds, but he is one of the most competitive quarterbacks in college football. He's absolutely fearless as a runner with legitimate mobility and does a great job of handling the football, throwing just four interceptions all season.
The lack of size and athletic tools will hold Pavia back, but his mentality could help him force his way onto a 53-man NFL roster.
Round 7, 217th Overall
Pick: Aeneas Peebles, DL, Virginia Tech
The Jaguars could use some DL depth, especially after trading away Roy Robertson-Harris.
Peebles is only 290 pounds, but he's lightning-quick and capable of bringing some pass-rushing juice to an NFL team. That pass-rush ability could give him a role on third downs in the NFL while he fills out and continues to work on the rest of his game.
