The 2024 NFL Draft is over and now teams are reviewing their draft classes. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ class has been ranked by Sports Illustrated among their AFC peers, coming in at No. 14 out of 16 teams. They rank ahead of only the No. 15 Buffalo Bills and the No. 16 Tennessee Titans. While some critics have questioned the Jaguars’ selections, the team made strategic moves to accumulate more picks, including a top-100 pick and a fourth-round selection in 2025.
One of the Jaguars’ picks, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., was selected at No. 23, which has been questioned by some due to his position being a key need following Calvin Ridley’s departure. However, general manager Trent Baalke defended the selection, stating that he would have been the pick at No. 17 before the trade back. The team felt confident in their decision and believed they were getting a valuable player for their roster. Additionally, critics have mentioned the selections of a kick returner/running back and a kicker in the later rounds of the draft when talent had significantly decreased, making those selections less questionable.
Overall, while some may not agree with every decision made during the draft, there is rationale behind each selection made by the Jaguars. By addressing key needs and utilizing their picks wisely through trades and strategic moves, they hope that their draft class will pay off in future seasons.
