Could the Jaguars move up a few places to draft a stud receiver out of Washington?

There are now less than two weeks until the 2024 NFL Draft.

With the Jacksonville Jaguars still holding onto the 17th pick, it is anyone’s guess whether the team feels it needs to move up or stay put to draft a future franchise player. Moving down is never out of the question either.

This week, a handful of writers think the Jags might get antsy with their current pick and move a few places up in the draft to pick up a huge name.

The 33rd Team

No better way to start this week’s roundoff than with a trade-up. In Ian Valentino’s latest mock, the Jaguars choose to move up five spots to 12, swapping picks with the Denver Broncos (along with picks 96 and 114) to pick Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze.

Missing out on Nix means Denver can slide down in the first round to recoup assets. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars have to feel the heat to add a star playmaker. Moving a few picks to grab Rome Odunze is an easy decision for a team with few major holes on the roster. Odunze can give Trevor Lawrence the efficient downfield threat Calvin Ridley failed to be.

NFL.com

Gennaro Filice has Odunze going to the Jets in this mock, but again has the Jags moving up to 12. In this scenario, the Jags nab Toledo corner Quinyon Mitchell. Rhett Lewis of NFL.com also thinks it’s Mitchell in his mock.

Filice: The Jaguars fly up the board — notably leapfrogging the cornerback-needy Raiders — to get their pick of the CB litter. Yes, it’s the senior cover man out of Toledo. And no, it isn’t surprising. Mitchell absolutely crushed the pre-draft process.

Underdog Fantasy

In this mock by Hayden Winks, the Jags stay put at 17 but snag a highly-rated corner. Alabama DB Terrion Arnold is the selection.

Early declares out of Alabama’s secondary almost always go really high. The only difference here is Arnold’s 4.50 forty time. That could be the difference between being CB1 and CB2. He’d slide into the Jaguars’ starting lineup immediately because Arnold has inside and outside versatility. If he can’t beat out Ronald Darby directly, Arnold could be a slot corner. His lack of elite speed wouldn’t be as big of a deal there anyways and his instincts/physicality would shine.

CBS Sports

Pete Prisco makes another appearance this week. Prisco also has the Jags staying put at 17 and also has the team scooping up Arnold.

They need to get a young corner with free-agent signee Ronald Darby being up in the years and Tyson Campbell in the final year of his contract. Terrion Arnold would give them the chance to play more man coverage.

Pro Football Focus

This mock by Steve Palazzolo features a name that started hot for Duval, but has certainly cooled off. The guy? Illinois defensive lineman Johnny Newton.

Newton has some physical limitations due to his size and lack of natural flexibility, but his hand usage, pass-rush tools and block-shedding ability allow him to be very productive in any alignment as a three-to-five-technique player.

Bleacher Report

The staff at Bleacher Report doesn’t reinvent the wheel with this pick, which also features Arnold going at 17.

Once upon a time, Trevor Lawrence was viewed as the future of not just the AFC South, but the NFL. The 2021 No. 1 overall pick was also viewed as the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck entered the professional ranks. Lawrence has flashed and looked the part at times. But he’s now the elder statesman in his division, as he enters his fourth season. The Jaguars must now contend with the Houston Texans’ C.J. Stroud, Indianapolis Colts’ Anthony Richardson and Tennessee Titans’ Will Levis. All three experienced varied levels of success as rookies. As such, fortifications along the Jaguars secondary are a significant need, particularly with the additions of wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Calvin Ridley to division rivals. Alabama’s Terrion Arnold provides instant stability Opposite Tyson Campbell as a physical cover corner with previous safety experience. “Arnold is a savvy defender with the versatility to excel in either man- or zone-heavy schemes,” Giddings said. “He makes quick reads and triggers to support the run. One of the best overall cornerbacks in the draft, he will fill a position of need for the Jaguars.”

USA Today

Nate Davis also thinks a corner is coming to Jax with the 17th pick, but instead of Arnold, he thinks it’s Mitchell.

He’s got size (6-0, 195), blazing speed (4.33 40 time) and ball skills, two of his six interceptions over the past two seasons turned into pick-sixes. And the Jags now live in a world where they better be ready to defend the AFC South champion Texans and a suite of playmakers that now includes WR Stefon Diggs.

Fox Sports

Nick Wright makes his second appearance in two weeks, but goes a bit out of the box with his selection. Wright thinks the Jags take FSU edge rusher Jared Verse at 17. BCC’s own Dillon Appleman— who also did a profile on Newton, among others— had this to say about Verse’s fit in Jax.

Jared Verse wouldn’t fill Jacksonville’s biggest need, but he’s too talented a player to pass on if he’s available come pick 17. His ability to win with both power and speed would be such a boost to a Jacksonville pass rush that relies solely on Josh Allen and Travon Walker to create pressure at the moment.

Pro Football Focus

Mitchell is the pick here in the mind of Max Chadwick. Due to a somewhat questionable defensive backfield, the Jags need to add a playmaker.

The Jaguars released Darious Williams this offseason and replaced him with Ronald Darby. While Darby is a serviceable player, Jacksonville could stand to add another outside cornerback opposite Tyson Campbell. After finishing as the highest-graded FBS cornerback in each of the past two seasons, Mitchell dominated the Senior Bowl before testing as the most athletic cornerback in the class.

The Draft Network

Damian Parson rounds things out with Mitchell coming to Jacksonville. As has been everyone’s shared opinion, if the Jags stay at 17, the pick is a 50-50 chance between corner or best available wide receiver.

WR or CB is the move here, in my opinion. Quinyon Mitchell projects as a day-one impact player for the Jaguars. Mitchell combines the NFL size, athleticism, coverage versatility, and ball skills needed in a No. 1 cornerback.