JACKSONVILLE – The emphasis is upfront – and on offense.
That remains the focus with the No. 1 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, with most observers continuing to believe the Jaguars will use that selection on a defensive or offensive lineman.
Opinions on specifics have varied throughout this still-early phase in the pre-draft process, with multiple analysts in this week's jaguars.com mock draft tacker – version 4.0 – projecting the team will select a particular offensive lineman No. 1 overall.
That lineman once again is Alabama tackle, Evan Neal.
"Neal has the immense size, run-blocking chops and pass-blocking prowess to do so at a high level from Day One," Ryan Stackpole of CBS wrote.
Stackpole was among three analysts in this week's tracker projecting Neal No. 1, with Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports also projecting him there.
"The Jaguars top priority needs to be protecting quarterback] Trevor Lawrence and Neal has the physical makeup of a top pick,” Trapasso [wrote, with Joe Marino of The Draft Network writing: "He has the makings of a franchise left tackle, which is exactly what Jacksonville needs to make sure Lawrence can develop."
Ryan Wilson of CBS projected North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekonu to the Jaguars No. 1 overall.
"We've routinely had Ekwonu as our top offensive linemen for more than a month, and we've finally talked ourselves into the Jags taking him first overall," Wilson wrote.
Seth Galina of Pro Football Focus projected Mississippi State offensive tackle Charles Cross to the Jaguars No. 1.
"He is as technical and refined as any player in the draft," Galina wrote.
Josh Edwards of CBS projected Oregon edge defender Kyle Thibodeaux No. 1.
"Thibodeaux has the most upside of the edge rushers, and Jacksonville is looking to land a No. 1 overall-caliber player," Edwards wrote.
Here's the fourth jaguars.com 2022 mock draft tracker:
Mocker, Affiliation (Date): Player, position, school
- Seth Galina, Pro Football Focus (2/7): Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
- Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (2/7): Ikem Ekonu, OT, North Carolina State
- Joe Marino, The Draft Network (2/6): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (2/5): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (2/4): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (2/2): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network (1/31): Ikem Ekonu, OT, North Carolina State
- Sam Monson, Pro Football Focus (1/31): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (1/31): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (1/29): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (1/29): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Luke Easterling, USA Today Draft Wire (1/27): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (1/25): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (1/24): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Bryan Perez, The Draft Network (1/24): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus (1/24): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media Analyst (1/21): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network (1/20): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (1/20): Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (1/20): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN (1/19): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (1/17): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Austin Gayle, Pro Football Focus (1/17): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (1/14): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News (1/14): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (1/13): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Luke Easterling, USA Today Draft Wire (1/13): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (1/13): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Bryan Fischer, Athlon Sports (1/13): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Jason McIntyre, FOX Sports (1/12): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (1/12): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus (1/10): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Anthony Treash, Pro Football Focus (1/3): Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
- Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (1/1): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
