The jaguars draft is coming soon. We will be conducting a Mock Draft for every step of the way. Take a look at our third edition of the mock draft heading towards the draft.

1st Round, Pick #9:

LB Isaiah Simmons Clemson 6’4 225lbs

Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons showing his ball skills and length to break up the pass down the field #NFLDraft #Clemson pic.twitter.com/GtCyPK2Xgk — Brian Johannes (@Draft_Brian) June 11, 2019

With the uncertainty of whether or not Telvin Smith will be back, the Jaguars should not stand pat at improving the linebacker spot and get a player like Simmons who is perfect for what linebackers need to be in today’s NFL. With the ability to play all three linebacker positions Simmons has shown that he can run sideline to sideline to make tackles while also covering receivers and tight ends. Not to mention, Simmons has had success rushing off the edge and even started his career as a safety before moving down into the box. Simmons is a true chess piece that can be moved around to help take away the opposing team’s middle of the field threat.

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1st Round, Pick #20:

Safety Xavier McKinney Alabama 6’1 200lbs



Alabama safety Xavier McKinney reads the QBs eyes and jumps the route for an easy pick six #NFLDraft #RollTide pic.twitter.com/O9C0G9GiYJ — Brian Johannes (@Draft_Brian) July 9, 2019

Needing to find an upgrade over incumbent starter Jarrod Wilson the Jaguars may have to reach a bit to find someone as the 2020 free safety class lacks elite talent and only a handful of true free safeties. Likely the top free safety in this class is Xavier McKinney whose continued the trend of Crimson Tide playmakers at the position with three interceptions, four fumble recoveries, and touchdown. Possessing good range McKinney is able to playback in coverage and use his instincts to react and then go attack the ball in the air.

2nd Round, Pick #40:

WR Brandon Aiyuk Arizona State 6’1 206lbs

Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk with a hesitation and shoulder nod to get the CB to bite before blowing past him deep #NFLDraft #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/ZREnL7ECuX — Brian Johannes (@Draft_Brian) January 24, 2020

Jacksonville’s receiving core was built to compliment the power rushing attack with speed to take shots down the field. With Jay Gruden coming in as offensive coordinator the Jaguars will likely see more West Coast principals which also may lead to them needing someone who can get separation underneath to help move the chains. Brandon Aiyuk is a smooth receiver who’s able to make contested catches but also make defenders miss in the open field. With all the success that Terry McLaurin had in his rookie year in Washington, Aiyuk could fill that type of role with the Jaguars.

3rd Round, Pick #73:

CB Cameron DantzlerMississippi State 6’2 185lbs

Mississippi State CB Cameron Dantzler showing the ability to play the ball in the air and prevent the reception #NFLDraft #HailState pic.twitter.com/b4vuSuBTZV — Brian Johannes (@Draft_Brian) December 22, 2019

With AJ Bouye already on the roster, Jacksonville doesn’t have to be needy here in the draft and take one right away and take advantage of the depth of this class. Cameron Dantzler has enough speed and quickness to stick with defenders playing both off and press-man coverage and even when he has given up some separation his length and ball skills show up. While Dantzler has some developing to do he has all the makings of an outside cornerback and should fit in nicely with the Jaguars Cover 3 defense.

4th Round, Pick #106:

DE Alex Highsmith Charlotte 6’5 242lbs

A slight fake inside and then burst to the edge allows Charlotte DE Alex Highsmith to beat the LT for a sack #NFLDraft #Charlotte49ers pic.twitter.com/2IyFfV9KCV — Brian Johannes (@Draft_Brian) December 14, 2019

Lost in the shuffle of Chase Young dominating this season is Alex Highsmith whose 15 sacks were only one and a half behind Young and good for second best in the nation. Highsmith has been one of the biggest risers this season coming after only having 3 sacks as a junior and starting to open up the eyes to his potential. Highsmith utilizes first step burst to put himself in a great spot off the line and put him in a position to win around the edge with speed. Combining his burst with good hand usage it’s not a surprise that he’s been able to abuse Conference USA offensive tackles. In the fourth round, Highsmith gives the Jaguars a talented pass rusher who could end up replacing Yannick Ngakoue if he isn’t signed to a long term deal.

5th Round, Pick #166:

OL Darryl Williams Mississippi State 6’3 310

Needing help at both guards and tackle the Jaguars get a versatile player in Williams who has started at both interior positions the past two years with the Bulldogs. Williams isn’t a mauler in the run game but does show enough strength to anchor against defenders and seal them off. Williams could compete for the right guard position but at a minimum could backup all three interior positions.

6th Round, Pick #186:

WR Kendrick Rogers Texas A&M 6’4 204

Rogers is a physical freak who makes it tough for cornerbacks to cover him because of his size and ability to go up and win at the catch point and if you watched A&M’s game against LSU in 2018 you’d think that Rogers was a sure-fire first-round pick, but the problem is he is too inconsistent and a bit of a one-trick pony. We’ve seen receivers like Rogers who are big but lack good lateral agility and route running ability fall in the draft process. Rogers is expected to do the same but is more than worth the risk here in the 6th round taking a flyer on a guy with physical talent with the hopes that he’ll carve out a niche as a role player.

7th Round, Pick #201:

Safety Jaylinn Hawkins California 6’2 210

It would not surprise me to see the Jaguars double up on safety in the draft and after taking Xavier McKinney earlier in this situation. Hawkins plays on the wide side of the field for Cal as the pseudo free safety role and utilizes his ability to cover a lot of grass. Along with his range, Hawkins also shows the ability to go up and make a play on the ball which was evident in his 9 interceptions over the past two seasons

Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Follow: Brian Johannes on Twitter @Draft_Brian