2023 NFL Draft Rumors: Which Defenders Do the Jaguars 'Really Covet'?

Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline had an interesting outlook on who the Jaguars might want the most at No. 24.

In two days, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the rest of the NFL will at last have answers to the 2023 NFL Draft's questions.

Until then, though, expect the rumors to fly. 

One such rumor this week comes from Pro Football Network draft insider Tony Pauline, one of the veteran reporters of draft nuggets each year. During an appearance on 'Jaguars Today' on 1010 XL/92.5 FM, Pauline revealed which defensive prospects his sources have him believing the Jaguars are placing a priority on.

When @TonyPauline of @PFN365 joined @md_1010xl & @1010xlfattony on #JaguarsToday he shared who he believes the three defensive players the #Jaguars are coveting with the 24th pick!https://t.co/cCFCnRvVES pic.twitter.com/JKqCdypAEn

— 1010 XL / 92.5 FM (@1010XL) April 24, 2023

“What I heard is the three defensive players they really covet are Lukas Van Ness, Devon Weatherspoon, and the aforementioned Deonte Banks,” Pauline said. 

“I have not heard anything about the offensive players,” Pauline later added. “But you’ve got to think if Darnell Wright’s there, they’ve got to consider him. They spent a lot of draft capital on defense last year, much more than I expected. You’ve got a franchise quarterback there … you better start to protect him, you better start to add more weapons around him.

“I think if Darnell Wright is still on the board — and I don’t know that he’s gonna be there — when the Jaguars are on the clock, they absolutely have to consider him.”

Considering that most of the smoke around the Jaguars' selection right now is that it is trending toward offensive line or defensive back, then this list of players isn't surprising. Van Ness has been frequently mocked to the Jaguars by national reporters in recent days, too, with the athletic pass-rusher fitting the Jaguars' defensive scheme and culture to a tee. 

Witherspoon and Banks are interesting names. Both come ahead of Alabama's Brian Branch, but it could probably be safely assumed that both will be drafted ahead of Branch. Witherspoon could be a top-6 pick and the first cornerback drafted, while Banks could go in the teens or early 20s. 

Van Ness was redshirted in 2020 but began to see snaps at defensive tackle during the 2021 season, recording seven sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. He saw his role increase in 2022 as he moved to edge rusher, recording six sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss and earning second-team All-Conference honors.

Banks immediately saw playing time at Maryland, playing in 11 games and starting eight as a true freshman, recording 28 tackles, two pass breakups, and an interception in the process. Banks returned as a starter in 2020, starting three games in the COVID-19-shortened season.

Banks started the first two games of his junior season before a shoulder injury in Week 2 knocked him out for the season. This led to him returning as a senior in 2022, starting nine games in 12 weeks and recording 38 tackles, eight pass breakups, an interception, and a sack.

Witherspoon appeared in 13 games as a true freshman in 2019, starting three and recording 33 tackles and two pass breakups, including a team-lead 13 special teams tackles. He then saw his role increase in 2020, starting seven games and recording 33 tackles, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one tackle for loss.

Entering 2021 as a full-time starter, Witherspoon started 10 games and recorded 52 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one sack, and nine pass breakups, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention.

Witherspoon then absolutely blew up in 2022, becoming the first-ever Illinois finalist for the Thorpe Award and becoming the first-ever defensive back to be named a Consensus All-American in Illinois history, all the result of a season in which he recorded 40 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, three interceptions, and 14 pass breakups in 12 starts -- all while not giving up a single touchdown.