JACKSONVILLE – This week had a decidedly defensive feel. Things got “edgy,” too.
With the 2023 NFL Draft a week and a half away, this week’s second-to-last 2023 jaguars.com mock draft tracker leaned toward defense when projecting the Jaguars’ selection in Round 1. Much of that leaning was toward edge defender.
Five of 14 analysts in this week’s 12th tracker projected edge defender to the Jaguars in Round 1, with three analysts projecting Myles Murphy of Clemson there.
“He has all the physical tools you look for in an elite edge defender and it’s easy to see him in a few years being dominant,” Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports wrote of Murphy. “That, in large part, is what makes him such an interesting prospect.”
Texas Tech edge defender Tyree Wilson also was projected to the Jaguars late in Round 1, as was Georgia edge defender Nolan Smith.
“There are speedy defenders, there are athletic defenders, and then there’s Nolan Smith, who’s simply elite in both respects,” Cam Mellor of Pro Football Network wrote. “Smith can free up [Jaguars outside linebacker] Travon Walker to rush the passer from one side while he occupies the offensive coordinator’s mind on the other, pairing together with his former teammate to make an incredibly gifted edge rushing duo.”
Other players who consistently have been projected to the Jaguars throughout the pre-draft process continued to be popular projections this week. That included Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid.
“Kincaid’s one of the best contested-catch receivers in this entire class — not just at tight end — and he’s a smooth athlete out in space,” Kyle Yates of Pro Football Network wrote.
Alabama safety Brian Branch also remained popular for the Jaguars late in Round 1, with two analysts – including the 33rd Team – projecting the versatile defensive back there.
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