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The Jacksonville Jaguars are entering Phase II of their offseason program soon, but the team will also determine which new players will join the rest of the roster during and after the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jaguars head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone met with local media in April during the team's pre-draft luncheon to discuss the team's upcoming plans.
Gladstone did not give anything away, although Coen appeared to him at how the team felt about the receiver position in the upcoming draft and potentially where he'd like to see improvement on his roster.
Still, the team's draft plans are largely a secret, with the franchise opting not to conduct in-person, top-30 visits during the pre-draft process. And Gladstone is excited for the fruits of their labor to come to life.
YOUTH MOVEMENT: Jaguars set to lead NFL with rookie-heavy roster post-draft, Coen welcomes youthful surge
"It's been a joy, it’s been fulfilling and looking forward to allowing those discussions to become reality. We're not far off from that. Just like the players that are included in this Draft class, right, their dream is to get drafted. For those guys, that's about to be reality," Gladstone said of the pre-draft process.
"It's been fun to have that be the case for us personally, to see our dreams become reality. Working in tandem, it's been fulfilling. It's been a joy.”
The 2025 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 24, at 8 p.m. for Round 1 with the following rounds taking place over the next two days through Saturday, April 26.
While the Jaguars don't have the most draft picks in the league anymore after the NFL assigned compensatory picks, the franchise does have the most roster slots available.
With just 59 players on the team's 90-man roster, the Jaguars can sign 31 players, which includes 10 draftees and potentially up to 21 undrafted free agents.
Here are Jacksonville's 10 picks in this year's draft and their current positions:
Jacksonville's goal during free agency was to raise the floor of the team's roster, meaning the baseline of players — starters or reserves — is higher than what it was before Gladstone and Coen entered the fray.
Shortly after making a debut-season nine signings during free agency, Gladstone said the team accomplished its goal.
"What we were seeking during pro-free agency was to raise the floor of this football team, and every player that we pursued and that we’ve now acquired is meeting that standard," Gladstone said in March.
"By being nothing more than who they are and who we know them to be, both on and off the field, they’re going to do exactly what we would hope they’d do and that’s level up this ecosystem.”
In the draft, the Jaguars can continue raising their floor while also upgrading the team's ceiling.
During the seven-round mock, the Times-Union attempted to predict what the Jaguars could do come draft weekend, giving the team reasonable positions and players that will upgrade the franchise this year and the years to come.
For this mock, the Times-Union used ProFootballNetwork's mock simulator.
It's hard not to put Mason Graham here with the fifth-overall pick. The Jaguars desperately need a force in the middle of their defense and Graham is the consensus best one in this year's draft.
Though he totaled just 3.5 sacks this past season at Michigan, the defensive lineman was graded as the top lineman in college football, according to Pro Football Focus, with a total defense grade of 91.1. His run defense grade was higher at 92.6.
Graham finished the year with 45 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and a 10th-best among defensive tackles 35 pressures, according to PFF. The Jaguars passed on a Michigan lineman a couple of years ago and perhaps they won't this time.
It's almost crazy-making to suggest the Jaguars need to draft a linebacker after taking one in the first round a few years ago, and drafting a couple more along the way.
Still, that's where the team is at with former first-rounder Devin Lloyd entering the final year of his rookie deal. The team can still pick up his fifth-year option by May 1, but they've shown no signs of doing that and Coen suggested it likely wouldn't be picked up when he met with the media in April.
“No plans right now in terms of we’re having those conversations, getting used to the player, right? We’ve just got to get used to him a little bit and get to know him a little bit," Coen said. "We’re excited about him, a guy that we see we can do some things with. Like, we do feel excited about some of his versatility and experience, so some of those conversations will be open and honest, and communicated.”
Enter UCLA's Carson Schwesinger, who is a lighter linebacker at a playing weight around 220 pounds, but has incredible range to fit into any defense as an off-ball player.
Schwesinger is inexperienced, starting only one season with the Bruins, but the season was one of the best in the country after he totaled 90 solo tackles (best in the Big Ten), four sacks, 136 total tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups and one forced fumble.
Jacksonville's interest in Georgia's Jalon Walker appears to be real, and while Schwesinger isn't close to as versatile, he would be a solid consolation prize.
Coen hasn't been quiet about the team's need to add another receiver in this year's draft and TCU's Jack Bech has traits similar to Cooper Kupp and Pucca Nacua, who hail from Coen and Gladstone's old stomping grounds with the Los Angeles Rams.
After two years with LSU, Bech transferred to TCU for the final years of his college career. He burst onto the scene in 2024 with 62 catches for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns.
Bech's ability to break tackles in open space and provide an easy target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence would make him an immediate impact player opposite Pro Bowl receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
The Jaguars addressed their safety position in free agency by signing former Texans safety Eric Murray. The only problem is that Murray is 31 years old and on the tail end of his career.
In Winston, the Jaguars could land an easy replacement for Murray down the line with the ability to immediately play as a sub-package defensive back, akin to how the team used Antonio Johnson at times over the last two years.
In three years at Penn State, Winston totaled 90 tackles, four tackles for loss, five pass breakups and one interception. His best usage is near the box. He suffered a season-ending injury early during his final season at Penn State but has shown NFL traits throughout his limited collegiate career.
The Jaguars will draft an offensive lineman during the draft, but the question is when.
Early on during Day 3 could be the sweet spot with Jackson Slater being one of the biggest prizes and sleepers in this year's draft. On tape, it's evident that Slater is better than his opposition in the Big Sky Conference.
Slater, 6-foot-3, 311 pounds, projected as one of the more athletic linemen at the Combine, ranking sixth in athleticism, according to NFL.com.
Slater's play strength and movement ability will entice the Jaguars and Coen. He won't start right away, but he can be an easy replacement for left guard Ezra Cleveland once the team has an out on his contract next year.
Fine, maybe the Jaguars won't draft Boise State's Ashton Jeanty ... unless?
If they don't, UCF's RJ Harvey would be a nice consolation prize and projects as a similar player to Tampa Bay's Bucky Irving. Harvey stands at about 5-foot-8, 205 pounds, while Irving is 5-foot-9, 192 pounds.
Both players pack a punch in the open field and are hard to take down.
In four playing seasons at UCF, Harvey totaled 3,792 rushing yards and 43 rushing touchdowns. Last year, he totaled 1,577 yards (6.8 yards per carry) and a Big 12-best 22 rushing touchdowns.
The Jaguars need to address their rushing attack and relying on inconsistent players won't be good enough.
Jacksonville will need a corner for depth or to start at some point in the draft, and Cal's Nohl Williams could fit the bill as a developmental corner.
At 6-foot, 199 pounds, Williams is not a big corner, but he is long with 31-inch arms. While he has average long speed (4.5s 40-yard dash), he makes up for it with his length and physicality, always looking to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage.
In 50 starts between three years at UNLV and two years at Cal, Williams accounted for 203 total tackles, four tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, 38 pass breakups and 14 interceptions (seven in 2024). If Jacksonville can land Williams in the fifth round, they could have a gem.
At six-foot-2, 267 pounds, Hassanein has solid size to hold up as an edge rusher at the next level and his 32 bench-press reps at his Pro Day showcase his strength.
Still, he's a much different prospect than anyone in the draft, hailing from Egypt, where he grew up before returning to the United States in 2018. He played football for the first time ahead of his junior season at Loara High in Anaheim, Calif., playing wide receiver before moving to the defensive line.
At Boise State, Hassanein totaled 119 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 24 sacks and three forced fumbles in 31 starts. NFL teams, including the Jaguars, could be enticed by his untapped potential.
The Jaguars signed 30-year-old backup QB Nick Mullens in free agency, but shouldn't be done adding to the position.
The Jaguars allowed both C.J. Beathard and Mac Jones to enter free agency, revamping their quarterback room under Coen. Still, the team does not have a long-term answer for the position. Mullens is experienced, but has not proven himself to be reliable on a long-term basis.
The Jaguars can address that by taking Syracuse's Kyle McCord, who has shown flasses of talent throuyghout his career before finallyt breaking records at Sytracuse during his senior year.
McCord completed 66.2% of his passes for 8,555 yards, 61 touchdowns and 20 interceptions through 26 starts in college. He started his career at Ohio State before transferring to Syracuse in 2024.
The Jaguars signed two tight ends during free agency, but could use a couple of fliers at the position.
Lachey, at 6-foot-5, 251 pounds, isn't the most athletic player, but he gave his quarterbacks at Iowa an easy target over the middle of the field. He likely operates as a blocking tight end early on in his career, but could become a long-term backup at the position in Jacksonville.
In 24 starts at Iowa, Lachey caught 74 passes for 893 yards and four touchdowns.
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 mock draft: 7-round post luncheon prediction
Continue reading...
Jaguars head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone met with local media in April during the team's pre-draft luncheon to discuss the team's upcoming plans.
Gladstone did not give anything away, although Coen appeared to him at how the team felt about the receiver position in the upcoming draft and potentially where he'd like to see improvement on his roster.
Still, the team's draft plans are largely a secret, with the franchise opting not to conduct in-person, top-30 visits during the pre-draft process. And Gladstone is excited for the fruits of their labor to come to life.
YOUTH MOVEMENT: Jaguars set to lead NFL with rookie-heavy roster post-draft, Coen welcomes youthful surge
"It's been a joy, it’s been fulfilling and looking forward to allowing those discussions to become reality. We're not far off from that. Just like the players that are included in this Draft class, right, their dream is to get drafted. For those guys, that's about to be reality," Gladstone said of the pre-draft process.
"It's been fun to have that be the case for us personally, to see our dreams become reality. Working in tandem, it's been fulfilling. It's been a joy.”
The 2025 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 24, at 8 p.m. for Round 1 with the following rounds taking place over the next two days through Saturday, April 26.
Jaguars slated to end draft weekend with most rookies
You must be registered for see images attach
While the Jaguars don't have the most draft picks in the league anymore after the NFL assigned compensatory picks, the franchise does have the most roster slots available.
With just 59 players on the team's 90-man roster, the Jaguars can sign 31 players, which includes 10 draftees and potentially up to 21 undrafted free agents.
Here are Jacksonville's 10 picks in this year's draft and their current positions:
- Round 1: (No. 5)
- Round 2: (No. 36)
- Round 3: (Nos. 70, 88)
- Round 4: (Nos. 107, 126)
- Round 5: (No. 142)
- Round 6: (Nos. 182, 194)
- Round 7: (No. 221)
Jaguars seven-round mock draft: 2025 NFL Draft gives team higher ceiling
Jacksonville's goal during free agency was to raise the floor of the team's roster, meaning the baseline of players — starters or reserves — is higher than what it was before Gladstone and Coen entered the fray.
Shortly after making a debut-season nine signings during free agency, Gladstone said the team accomplished its goal.
"What we were seeking during pro-free agency was to raise the floor of this football team, and every player that we pursued and that we’ve now acquired is meeting that standard," Gladstone said in March.
"By being nothing more than who they are and who we know them to be, both on and off the field, they’re going to do exactly what we would hope they’d do and that’s level up this ecosystem.”
In the draft, the Jaguars can continue raising their floor while also upgrading the team's ceiling.
During the seven-round mock, the Times-Union attempted to predict what the Jaguars could do come draft weekend, giving the team reasonable positions and players that will upgrade the franchise this year and the years to come.
For this mock, the Times-Union used ProFootballNetwork's mock simulator.
Round 1, Pick 5: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
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It's hard not to put Mason Graham here with the fifth-overall pick. The Jaguars desperately need a force in the middle of their defense and Graham is the consensus best one in this year's draft.
Though he totaled just 3.5 sacks this past season at Michigan, the defensive lineman was graded as the top lineman in college football, according to Pro Football Focus, with a total defense grade of 91.1. His run defense grade was higher at 92.6.
Graham finished the year with 45 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and a 10th-best among defensive tackles 35 pressures, according to PFF. The Jaguars passed on a Michigan lineman a couple of years ago and perhaps they won't this time.
Round 2, Pick 36: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
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It's almost crazy-making to suggest the Jaguars need to draft a linebacker after taking one in the first round a few years ago, and drafting a couple more along the way.
Still, that's where the team is at with former first-rounder Devin Lloyd entering the final year of his rookie deal. The team can still pick up his fifth-year option by May 1, but they've shown no signs of doing that and Coen suggested it likely wouldn't be picked up when he met with the media in April.
“No plans right now in terms of we’re having those conversations, getting used to the player, right? We’ve just got to get used to him a little bit and get to know him a little bit," Coen said. "We’re excited about him, a guy that we see we can do some things with. Like, we do feel excited about some of his versatility and experience, so some of those conversations will be open and honest, and communicated.”
Enter UCLA's Carson Schwesinger, who is a lighter linebacker at a playing weight around 220 pounds, but has incredible range to fit into any defense as an off-ball player.
Schwesinger is inexperienced, starting only one season with the Bruins, but the season was one of the best in the country after he totaled 90 solo tackles (best in the Big Ten), four sacks, 136 total tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups and one forced fumble.
Jacksonville's interest in Georgia's Jalon Walker appears to be real, and while Schwesinger isn't close to as versatile, he would be a solid consolation prize.
Round 3, Pick 70: Jack Bech, WR, TCU
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Coen hasn't been quiet about the team's need to add another receiver in this year's draft and TCU's Jack Bech has traits similar to Cooper Kupp and Pucca Nacua, who hail from Coen and Gladstone's old stomping grounds with the Los Angeles Rams.
After two years with LSU, Bech transferred to TCU for the final years of his college career. He burst onto the scene in 2024 with 62 catches for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns.
Bech's ability to break tackles in open space and provide an easy target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence would make him an immediate impact player opposite Pro Bowl receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Round 3, Pick 88: Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State
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The Jaguars addressed their safety position in free agency by signing former Texans safety Eric Murray. The only problem is that Murray is 31 years old and on the tail end of his career.
In Winston, the Jaguars could land an easy replacement for Murray down the line with the ability to immediately play as a sub-package defensive back, akin to how the team used Antonio Johnson at times over the last two years.
In three years at Penn State, Winston totaled 90 tackles, four tackles for loss, five pass breakups and one interception. His best usage is near the box. He suffered a season-ending injury early during his final season at Penn State but has shown NFL traits throughout his limited collegiate career.
Round 4, Pick 107: Jackson Slater, G, Sacramento State
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The Jaguars will draft an offensive lineman during the draft, but the question is when.
Early on during Day 3 could be the sweet spot with Jackson Slater being one of the biggest prizes and sleepers in this year's draft. On tape, it's evident that Slater is better than his opposition in the Big Sky Conference.
Slater, 6-foot-3, 311 pounds, projected as one of the more athletic linemen at the Combine, ranking sixth in athleticism, according to NFL.com.
Slater's play strength and movement ability will entice the Jaguars and Coen. He won't start right away, but he can be an easy replacement for left guard Ezra Cleveland once the team has an out on his contract next year.
Round 4, Pick 126: RJ Harvey, RB, UCF
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Fine, maybe the Jaguars won't draft Boise State's Ashton Jeanty ... unless?
If they don't, UCF's RJ Harvey would be a nice consolation prize and projects as a similar player to Tampa Bay's Bucky Irving. Harvey stands at about 5-foot-8, 205 pounds, while Irving is 5-foot-9, 192 pounds.
Both players pack a punch in the open field and are hard to take down.
In four playing seasons at UCF, Harvey totaled 3,792 rushing yards and 43 rushing touchdowns. Last year, he totaled 1,577 yards (6.8 yards per carry) and a Big 12-best 22 rushing touchdowns.
The Jaguars need to address their rushing attack and relying on inconsistent players won't be good enough.
Round 5, Pick 142: Nohl Williams, CB, Cal
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Jacksonville will need a corner for depth or to start at some point in the draft, and Cal's Nohl Williams could fit the bill as a developmental corner.
At 6-foot, 199 pounds, Williams is not a big corner, but he is long with 31-inch arms. While he has average long speed (4.5s 40-yard dash), he makes up for it with his length and physicality, always looking to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage.
In 50 starts between three years at UNLV and two years at Cal, Williams accounted for 203 total tackles, four tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, 38 pass breakups and 14 interceptions (seven in 2024). If Jacksonville can land Williams in the fifth round, they could have a gem.
Round 6, Pick 182: Ahmed Hassanein, EDGE, Boise State
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At six-foot-2, 267 pounds, Hassanein has solid size to hold up as an edge rusher at the next level and his 32 bench-press reps at his Pro Day showcase his strength.
Still, he's a much different prospect than anyone in the draft, hailing from Egypt, where he grew up before returning to the United States in 2018. He played football for the first time ahead of his junior season at Loara High in Anaheim, Calif., playing wide receiver before moving to the defensive line.
At Boise State, Hassanein totaled 119 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 24 sacks and three forced fumbles in 31 starts. NFL teams, including the Jaguars, could be enticed by his untapped potential.
Pick 6, Pick 194: Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
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The Jaguars signed 30-year-old backup QB Nick Mullens in free agency, but shouldn't be done adding to the position.
The Jaguars allowed both C.J. Beathard and Mac Jones to enter free agency, revamping their quarterback room under Coen. Still, the team does not have a long-term answer for the position. Mullens is experienced, but has not proven himself to be reliable on a long-term basis.
The Jaguars can address that by taking Syracuse's Kyle McCord, who has shown flasses of talent throuyghout his career before finallyt breaking records at Sytracuse during his senior year.
McCord completed 66.2% of his passes for 8,555 yards, 61 touchdowns and 20 interceptions through 26 starts in college. He started his career at Ohio State before transferring to Syracuse in 2024.
Round 7, Pick 221: Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa
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The Jaguars signed two tight ends during free agency, but could use a couple of fliers at the position.
Lachey, at 6-foot-5, 251 pounds, isn't the most athletic player, but he gave his quarterbacks at Iowa an easy target over the middle of the field. He likely operates as a blocking tight end early on in his career, but could become a long-term backup at the position in Jacksonville.
In 24 starts at Iowa, Lachey caught 74 passes for 893 yards and four touchdowns.
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 mock draft: 7-round post luncheon prediction
Continue reading...
