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There's a growing consensus on what the Jacksonville Jaguars will do in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and head coach Liam Coen didn't quell those thoughts much with his comments during the Annual Meetings earlier this week.
All seven NFL Draft experts we tracked this week, including Mel Kiper, Bucky Brooks, Nate Tice/Charles McDonald, Garrett Podell, Chad Reuter, Kyle Stackpole and Matt Miller all project the Jaguars to draft Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham.
The Times-Union has also made that projection, dating back to December.
NOBODY PUTS BABY IN A CORNER: Jacksonville Jaguars wouldn't want to put Travis Hunter 'in a box' if picked in NFL Draft
The logic is simple: the Jaguars struggled against the run (ranked 24th in rushing yards allowed per game at 132.6), and didn't impact the passer enough (ranked 28th with 34 total sacks in 2024) to roll into the upcoming season at the status quo.
When asked about addressing the unit, Coen made it clear the team is looking to upgrade somewhere along the team's defensive line.
"Yeah, I think ultimately, you’re looking to add some competition in there. We’ve got some really good players down there. I think we’ve got three first-rounders on our defensive line currently," Coen said, referencing Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker and Arik Armstead as former first-round players.
"Three guys that are going to have some good years, hopefully. They’re hoping to elevate that room. We’ll continue to evaluate it, but absolutely, you’re looking to add somebody to the D-line however that thing plays out, inside or outside.”
The Jaguars hold 10 selections in this month's draft, including the fifth-overall pick. The team owns four picks in the first three rounds and six selections in the first four rounds to address the position groups.
The Jaguars hold 10 picks in this year's draft. Here are their current positions:
If the defensive line is a priority for the Jaguars, this could be a draft where multiple players are targeted throughout the three-day event.
Graham is a consensus top prospect at defensive tackle, but several other top-of-the-line linemen could be intriguing for Jacksonville, especially if they want to trade down or trade back up into the first round.
Note: All players below are projected to be taken in the first round, broadly, by experts.
Nolen, 6-foot-3, 296 pounds, spent two years at Texas A&M before transferring to Ole Miss, where he earned All-American honors after totalling 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. Nolan packs a punch and is one of the most explosive defenders in this year's class.
Stewart, 6-foot-5, 267 pounds, has showcased versatility in three years at Texas A&M, playing multiple roles along the Aggies' defensive front four. Stewart is more of a projection pick after totaling just 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss through 37 games at the collegiate level.
His athletic numbers are out of this world, though, earning a 9.99 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) after an impressive NFL Combine performance that saw Stewart jump 40 inches. He can play standing up or as a down lineman.
Williams, 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, is another versatile defensive lineman in this draft and can play end or slide inside at tackle at times. He projects in a similar vein to that of Travon Walker, and even spoke about the comparison at the Combine in February.
In three years at Georgia, Williams totaled 14 sacks and 23 tackles for loss. He played the 2024 season with an ankle injury, but still totaled five sacks and nine tackles for loss, the most productive years of his career.
Grant, 6-foot-4, 331 pounds, is a hole plugger on the defensive line and would come in as an immediate impact player against the run with plenty of juice in the pass game, too.
In three years at Michigan playing alongside Graham, Grant totaled 12 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He also caught an interception in 2023 and forced 10 pass breakups combined from 2023-24. Grant did not play much during his freshman season.
Harmon, 6-foot-4, 313 pounds, transferred to Oregon after three years at Michigan State and posted the best season of his collegiate career after totaling 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. In his four-year career, Harmon has totaled 8.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. He'd be an instant upgrade for Jacksonville's struggling defensive line.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius.
If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, please consider becoming a subscriber to support local journalism in Northeast Florida.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Draft plans include defensive line: Options
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All seven NFL Draft experts we tracked this week, including Mel Kiper, Bucky Brooks, Nate Tice/Charles McDonald, Garrett Podell, Chad Reuter, Kyle Stackpole and Matt Miller all project the Jaguars to draft Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham.
The Times-Union has also made that projection, dating back to December.
NOBODY PUTS BABY IN A CORNER: Jacksonville Jaguars wouldn't want to put Travis Hunter 'in a box' if picked in NFL Draft
The logic is simple: the Jaguars struggled against the run (ranked 24th in rushing yards allowed per game at 132.6), and didn't impact the passer enough (ranked 28th with 34 total sacks in 2024) to roll into the upcoming season at the status quo.
When asked about addressing the unit, Coen made it clear the team is looking to upgrade somewhere along the team's defensive line.
"Yeah, I think ultimately, you’re looking to add some competition in there. We’ve got some really good players down there. I think we’ve got three first-rounders on our defensive line currently," Coen said, referencing Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker and Arik Armstead as former first-round players.
"Three guys that are going to have some good years, hopefully. They’re hoping to elevate that room. We’ll continue to evaluate it, but absolutely, you’re looking to add somebody to the D-line however that thing plays out, inside or outside.”
The Jaguars hold 10 selections in this month's draft, including the fifth-overall pick. The team owns four picks in the first three rounds and six selections in the first four rounds to address the position groups.
Where do the Jaguars pick in the 2025 NFL Draft?
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The Jaguars hold 10 picks in this year's draft. Here are their current positions:
- Round 1: (No. 5)
- Round 2: (No. 36)
- Round 3: (Nos. 70, 88)
- Round 4: (Nos. 106, 125)
- Round 5: (No. 143)
- Round 6: (Nos. 184, 196)
- Round 7: (No. 223)
2025 NFL Draft has slew of DL prospects for Jaguars to snag
If the defensive line is a priority for the Jaguars, this could be a draft where multiple players are targeted throughout the three-day event.
Graham is a consensus top prospect at defensive tackle, but several other top-of-the-line linemen could be intriguing for Jacksonville, especially if they want to trade down or trade back up into the first round.
Note: All players below are projected to be taken in the first round, broadly, by experts.
Walter Nolen, Ole Miss, DT
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Nolen, 6-foot-3, 296 pounds, spent two years at Texas A&M before transferring to Ole Miss, where he earned All-American honors after totalling 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. Nolan packs a punch and is one of the most explosive defenders in this year's class.
Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M, EDGE/DL
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Stewart, 6-foot-5, 267 pounds, has showcased versatility in three years at Texas A&M, playing multiple roles along the Aggies' defensive front four. Stewart is more of a projection pick after totaling just 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss through 37 games at the collegiate level.
His athletic numbers are out of this world, though, earning a 9.99 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) after an impressive NFL Combine performance that saw Stewart jump 40 inches. He can play standing up or as a down lineman.
Mykel Williams, Georgia, EDGE/DL
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Williams, 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, is another versatile defensive lineman in this draft and can play end or slide inside at tackle at times. He projects in a similar vein to that of Travon Walker, and even spoke about the comparison at the Combine in February.
In three years at Georgia, Williams totaled 14 sacks and 23 tackles for loss. He played the 2024 season with an ankle injury, but still totaled five sacks and nine tackles for loss, the most productive years of his career.
Kenneth Grant, Michigan, DT
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Grant, 6-foot-4, 331 pounds, is a hole plugger on the defensive line and would come in as an immediate impact player against the run with plenty of juice in the pass game, too.
In three years at Michigan playing alongside Graham, Grant totaled 12 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He also caught an interception in 2023 and forced 10 pass breakups combined from 2023-24. Grant did not play much during his freshman season.
Derrick Harmon, Oregon, DT
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Harmon, 6-foot-4, 313 pounds, transferred to Oregon after three years at Michigan State and posted the best season of his collegiate career after totaling 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. In his four-year career, Harmon has totaled 8.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. He'd be an instant upgrade for Jacksonville's struggling defensive line.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius.
If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, please consider becoming a subscriber to support local journalism in Northeast Florida.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Draft plans include defensive line: Options
Continue reading...
