The 2024 NFL Draft has passed, and the Jaguars’ draft class is currently being evaluated. According to Sports Illustrated, the Jaguars’ class ranks 14th out of 16 in the AFC, with only two teams ranking lower: the Buffalo Bills and the Tennessee Titans. The Houston Texans hold the tenth spot, while the Indianapolis Colts rank fifth.
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame criticized the Jaguars for their draft choices, specifically for passing on high-upside talent and taking a wide receiver, Brian Thomas Jr., with their first-round pick at No. 23. However, General Manager Trent Baalke defended this decision by stating that they had targeted Brian Thomas Jr. at No. 17 and were pleased that he was still available at 23 when they traded back to accumulate more picks.
In addition to Brian Thomas Jr., the Jaguars also selected a kick returner/running back and a kicker in later rounds. While there may be some criticism regarding these picks since the talent pool was limited at this point in the draft, it is important to note that there is always room for improvement in any draft class. Overall, while some may question certain decisions made during this year’s NFL Draft by the Jaguars, it is important to remember that no one can predict how each player will perform on the field until they actually get there.