Just couple days away from the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas and the Jacksonville Jaguars have the number one overall pick again. Just like having the number one pick again, the Jaguars have a new head coach again as the Urban Meyer era did not make it through one whole season and now Doug Pederson is the man in Duval.
Last year the Jaguars took quarterback Trevor Lawrence from Clemson University with the number one overall pick. It is a fair assumption that the Jags will not go QB again in this draft. This go-around with the number one pick looks be for the line. Defenses or offense, it is widely recognized the Pederson and the Jags will go for defense line more than offensive line.
Adrian Hutchison- DE, Michigan
For the offseason leading into the past two weeks, most people in the NFL world believed that Adrian Hutchison will be the number one to Jacksonville. The outstanding defensive end from Michigan lead the team with 62 tackles, 14 sacks, and two forced fumbles in his senior year. Hutchison's 14 sacks were 3rd most in college football in the 2021-2022 season. Hutchison led Michigan to the Big Ten Championship and their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance before getting romped by the Georgia Bulldogs. Hutchison left Michigan with the Lott IMPACT Trophy, Ted Hendricks Award, and Lombardi award.
Travon Walker- DE, Georgia
Adrian Hutchison was the favorite until two weeks when reports began is circle around Georgia's DE, Travon Walker. The junior DE had 37 tackles, six sacks, and one fumble recovery for the National Champion Bulldogs. Not eye-popping numbers like Hutchison, but Walker is now the name to believe to go first on Thursday night. Six foot, five inches tall and 275 pounds, Walker is a big, power, and athleticism seems to be more intriguing for Jags GM Trent Baalke. Nevertheless, Walker became the odds-on favorite Sunday night at Caesars Sportsbooks, going from +150 to -200.
Evan Neal- OL, Alabama
Now, granted the two DEs in Hutchison and Walker are the top two favorites, but if you're Doug Pederson, don't you want to go offensive lineman with the number one pick? You have your franchise QB in Lawrence and you franchise tagged OT Cam Robinson for the upcoming season, why not solidify the o-line for years to come? Evan Neal of Alabama would be the perfect choice to solidify the Jags offensive line for five to ten years with Trevor Lawrence at the helm. Neal goes six foot, seven inches, and weighs 337 pounds. Neal comes into the draft with a rare combination of measurables, talent, and pedigree. Playing at Alabama, Neal saw some of the best competition there is in college football especially in the Southeastern Conference. Neal is prospected as year one started, but he will need to work on consistence play, attitude, and action to see greatness.