Corner Remains A Popular Projection

JACKSONVILLE – The 2023 NFL Draft gets closer each week.

As that happens, a consensus for the Jaguars in Round 1 remains elusive – and that continued to be the case in the latest ’23 jaguars.com mock draft tracker.

Five prospects in this week’s 11th ’23 tracker were mentioned by multiple analysts as the Jaguars’ possible selection late in the first round, but no player was projected more than twice. Among the prospects projected by two analysts:

Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

“Porter has the ability — and, as the son of former linebacker Joey Porter, the NFL bloodlines — to come in and compete for a starting spot right away,” Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote.

Cornerback has become an increasingly popular Round 1 projection for the Jaguars in recent weeks, with Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo also projected to the Jaguars there by two analysts this week.

“Ringo provides nice size and athleticism along with physicality to help them being more aggressive to make more plays on the ball,” Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News wrote.

Multiple analysts also continued to project Alabama safety Brian Branch to the Jaguars in Round 1.

“Brian Branch is a natural nickel defender with phenomenal coverage ability, very willing physicality, and the instincts to make plays when passes come his way,” Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network wrote, with Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports calling Branch “special.”

“He can play in the slot, near the line of scrimmage or deep centerfield,” Wilson wrote.

As often has been the case throughout the pre-draft process, multiple analysts projected Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer to the Jaguars late in the first round.

“Michael Mayer would be an enticing prospect because of everything he’d bring not only as a pass-catcher but as an extra blocker,” Jack McKessy of The Draft Network wrote.

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports projected Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta to the Jaguars in Round 1.

“LaPorta is an excellent playmaker as a receiver who can stretch defenses…