The 2024 NFL Draft has come to an end, and early reviews of the draft classes across the league are rolling in. According to Sports Illustrated, the Jaguars’ draft class ranks 14th out of 16 in the AFC, just ahead of the Buffalo Bills at 15 and the Tennessee Titans at 16. The Houston Texans hold the tenth spot, while the Indianapolis Colts rank fifth.
The Jaguars faced criticism from Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame for their draft decisions, particularly 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 their selection of Brian Thomas Jr., stating that he was their target at No. 17 and they were pleased he was still available at 23.
In addition to Brian Thomas Jr., the Jaguars also made smart moves by trading back to accumulate more picks. While there may be some room for improvement in their draft class, their decisions were not as questionable as some may suggest. The Jaguars picked a kick returner/running back and a kicker in later rounds when the talent pool was limited at that point in the draft. Overall, while there may be some areas for improvement, it is clear that the Jaguars made strategic choices throughout the draft process.