Trent Baalke, Doug Pederson Explain Why Jaguars Drafted Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison

The 21-year-old offensive tackle is the newest Jaguar -- but why?

The Jacksonville Jaguars knew they needed to address the offensive line this weekend. Consider that box checked, with the Jaguars using their first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft to fortify the unit with Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison at No. 27 overall.

“For me, the interaction that we had with him at the combine stood out," Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said on Thursday night. 

"He’s a really a mature young man. Good head on his shoulders. Spoke well about a lot of things. Spoke well of his family. That was important to him, that's important to us. Just really felt the culture fit was ideal for us.”

The Jaguars were slated to pick No. 24 overall, where it appeared they were poised to select Harrison. But thanks to a run on wide receivers and other surprising selections, the Jaguars found themselves with several options.

As a result, Baalke and the Jaguars got on the phones. 

First, the New York Giants traded the Jaguars the 25th, 160th and 240th overall picks to move up one spot and select Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks.

Then, the Jaguars traded back again, this time going to No. 27. while also picking up the 130th pick. 

"That was one of the things that coach and I talked about as the thing was unfolding. We knew we didn't want to make any big moves back, but when the opportunity came to move one back, pick up some draft capital, move two back, it was just too good a situation for us based on the way the board sat at the time," Baalke said. 

"Then, when it got to the point where we made the pick, we just felt there was too much risk in going any further back. We had some opportunities, like I said earlier, to move back again.”

Harrison, 21, has started 24 games over the last two seasons, with 23 coming at left tackle. The former Sooner was a four-star recruit and is one of the youngest offensive linemen in the draft after spending just three years in college.

“You can see it in his play. You can see it in his development. Obviously when we get our hands on him, Coach Rauscher [Offensive Line Coach Phil Rauscher] gets his hands on him, he'll just be able to continue what he sort of has built, what he's put on tape," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said. 

"There's a lot of consistency in his game. You love everything about his length and athleticism, how he moves, his strength, all things as Trent mentioned that will fit us. We're just excited for Anton and just getting in that offensive line room, getting around the other guys in that room, getting to work.”

Harrison fills a big need for the Jaguars after they lost Jawaan Taylor in free-agency and due to the impending potential suspension of left tackle Cam Robinson due to a violation of the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy. The plan, Pederson said, is for him to start at tackle, but the Jaguars know he can be more than that.

"Yeah, obviously tackle is the spot to learn. We'll get him in here and get him going. The biggest thing is just getting him around the other guys and get him in that room, get him with Phil [Offensive Line Coach Phil Rauscher], Coach Washington [Assistant Offensive Line Coach Todd Washington], the guys, just start the learning process," Pederson said. 

"Right now, tackle will be the first primary spot for him, but as he develops and grows, just see where he can best help us win games."