2023 NFL Draft: Jacksonville Jaguars 7-round mock 

Doug Pederson of the Jacksonville Jaguars was one of the clear candidates to be voted as the NFL’s coach of the year in 2022. The franchise appointed the veteran to steady the ship after the disastrous Urban Meyer project, and it worked out better than anyone could have predicted.

After years of being basement-dwellers, racking up more top-five picks than wins, the Jacksonville Jaguars made the playoffs in 2022, despite having had the first-overall selection for back-to-back seasons.

Pederson is credited with this turnaround, and strangely, they have their franchise quarterback in place before the rest of their roster.

Trevor Lawrence is as naturally talented as any QB to enter the NFL in the last three decades and he started to show his brilliance in 2022.

The Jags need to help him out in the 2023 NFL draft, although it’s expected that their early focus will actually be on the defensive side of the ball. Jacksonville has nine selections, but only one on the opening night of proceedings.

Jacksonville Jaguars' 2023 NFL draft preview

On the opening night of the draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars will officially be on the clock at pick no.25.

Whilst the Jags aren’t used to being this far down the order, it must be remembered that their selection will be the 24th of the evening due to the Miami Dolphins forfeiting their pick.

Sportskeeda’s 7-round mock draft model will not take into consideration any trades that are yet to occur.

Pederson and the front office are intent on improving the quality of their roster. They know 2022 was perhaps an overachievement but it’s important they add quality around Lawrence.

A lot of talent has walked out of the door throughout recent seasons, but their nine picks in the 2023 NFL draft will be utilized effectively to replace those players.

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Travon Walker first-overall in 2022, adding a serious sack threat to their defense. However, they realize that such a strong talent won’t be available to them at #24 this year.

Significant Jacksonville Jaguars free agency signings

· OT Josh Wells

· DE Henry Mondeaux

· Re-signed S Andrew Wingard

· Re-signed DE Adam Gotsis

· RB D’Ernest Johnson

Significant Jacksonville Jaguars free agency losses

· OT Jawaan Taylor

· LB Arden Key

· TE Chris Manhertz

· CB Shaquill Griffin

· WR Marvin Jones

Sportskeeda’s 7-round mock for the Jacksonville Jaguars

Bryan Bresee is the most physically dominant defensive lineman in the 2023 NFL Draft

24. DT Bryan Bresee, Clemson

56. TE Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State

88. C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota

121. DT Byron Young, Alabama

127. WR Puka Nacua, BYU

185. OT Warren McClendon, Georgia

202. DE B.J. Thompson, Stephen F. Austin

208. CB Terell Smith, Minnesota

226. DT Robert Cooper, Florida State

Bryan Bresee might be the best available player at this point, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have a good history in using that as a draft strategy.

He is an absolutely dominant defensive presence and bullies both offensive linemen and quarterbacks for fun. If you think of a slightly less nasty Ndamukong Suh, that’s what you have in Bresee. The Jags were ranked 21st in pass defense in 2022 and this selection is designed to improve that.

Managing to re-sign Evan Engram is positive for the Jags, but it merely kicks the can down the road at the tight end position. Doug Pederson historically loves to run with two big guys at this position, rotating them as he did in Philadelphia.

As such, expect the Jaguars to make a move early and secure Tucker Kraft, one of the biggest blocking talents at TE in the 2023 class.

At 6’5 he is impressive but needs to improve on his receiving production. Quarterbacks need short-gain options when things go awry and Lawrence couldn’t ask for a better duo than Engram and Kraft in 2023.

By the third round, the Jags will finally be able to address one of their biggest concerns heading into the 2023 NFL season.

Run blocking was a big problem in Duval County during the 2022 season. The Jags’ O-Line was ranked as the 29th best overall and no single team had more runs stopped for no gain than them.

This can’t continue and the team will draft John Michael Schmitz with their third-round choice. He is the consensus best run blocking talent in the class and it may even be a stretch to think he’ll be available here.

He can play as a guard but his best work comes at center, but there is an opening there for a productive run blocker in Jacksonville.

With two selections so close together in the fourth-round, the Jacksonville Jaguars can opt for depth players.

Byron Young and Puka Nacua at DT and WR respectively add strength in depth to the roster, with the possibility of developing into a starter.

Nacua is an excellent catcher and has a good size, which will help him fit into a Doug Pederson offense. It also provides another option for Lawrence, who needs help.

At #185, Warren McClendon again adds depth to a struggling O-Line, and his best work also comes in run blocking.

B.J. Thompson might be a stretch with the 202nd selection, but it can’t hurt to have another pass rusher on your roster. His main asset is the speed of a wide receiver, and if he can add power and bulk without losing too much, he could be a real steal.