Insider Predicts It’s ‘Offensive Lineman or Defensive Back’ for Jaguars at No. 24
The Jacksonville Jaguars seem to be one of the true mystery teams in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Part of the mystique is where the Jaguars are picking -- the mid- to late-20s offers surprises every single year due to the lack of clarity on the first-half of the round.
The other part has to do with the state of the Jaguars' roster, which is returning 21 of 22 starters from last year's playoff games vs. the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs.
As such, it appears the Jaguars have a multitude of decisions on their hands as next Thursday's draft nears. For one NFL insider, though, the Jaguars' first-round pick could come down to two positions.
"I think it's offensive lineman or defensive back here for the Jaguars. Branch was the slot corner for Alabama, but he could play all over Jacksonville's secondary," NFL Network's Peter Schrager said in his first-round mock, projecting the Jaguars to take Alabama's Brian Branch at No. 24 overall.
Either scenario would make sense for the Jaguars, especially if the pass-rush options have dried up. The Jaguars have a void in the slot and Branch is the best nickel in the draft, showing the coverage, run defense and blitzing ability to be a weapon in the back end.
The Jaguars have shown interest in Branch during the pre-draft process, sending cornerbacks coach and passing game coordinator Deshea Townsend to Alabama's pro day to work him out.
Branch appeared in all 15 games for Alabama in 2021, making impact plays in Alabama's biggest games, including six tackles and two pass breakups vs. Cincinnati. He recorded 55 tackles, five for loss and one sack. He also led the team in pass breakups with nine, while adding a fumble recovery.
2022 saw Branch start every single game for Alabama, playing the "star" position in Nick Saban's defense. He was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press and a second-team All-SEC selection by the AP after recording 90 tackles. This included 14 tackles for loss, three sacks, seven pass breakups, and two interceptions.
The Jaguars have looked at other potential nickel cornerbacks like Cam Smith and Clark Phillips III, but Branch is who makes the most sense if the Jaguars opt to select one at No. 24.
As for offensive line, the Jaguars have shown interest in offensive linemen at every stage of the draft. Offensive line coach Phil Rauscher went to pro days at Oklahoma, Syracuse and Pittsburgh, three schools with offensive tackles who could come in and help replace the void left by Jawaan Taylor's departure.
Another name frequently mocked to the Jaguars is Florida guard O'Cyrus Torrence, who could be picked in the teens or even as late as the early second-round. The Jaguars could slide Torrence into the starting left guard position and keep Walker Little at right tackle, with the hope of left tackle Cam Robinson recovering from his 2022 injury in time to be back for Week 1.
In short, Schrager's prediction makes sense. The Jaguars have shown a lot of interest in this year's offensive line class and it makes sense to restock after Taylor left in free agency and after Robinson ended 2022 with a season-ending injury.
The Jaguars have also shown interest in Branch as well as other defensive back options, including Smith and Maryland's Deonte Banks. With the top pass-rushers in the class all expected to be gone by No. 24, the best value for the Jaguars will likely be exactly what Schrager said: offensive line or defensive back.
