JACKSONVILLE – The mockers remain defensive about the Jaguars. Very defensive.
Continuing an offseason trend, analysts strongly believe the Jaguars will lean toward defense in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft – particularly at No. 9 overall.
Two prospects – safety/linebacker Isaiah Simmons of Clemson and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw of South Carolina – continued to be popular choices for the Jaguars at No. 9. Seven of 11 analysts in the latest jaguars.com 2020 mock draft track projected one of the two players there.
"This might be a tad high for Kinlaw, but the Jaguars have needs along the defensive line and he is one of the best pass-rushing interior players in the country," Ryan Wilson of CBSSports.com wrote.
Kinlaw, who in January was widely regarded as a possibility for the Jaguars with the No. 20 overall selection, continued to be seen as a Top 10 selection by many analysts.
"Kinlaw wowed in a mere two days of Senior Bowl practices and routinely overwhelms blockers with his sheer power and quickness," Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today wrote.
Simmons, perhaps the draft's most versatile defensive player, was the choice for the Jaguars of respected analyst Charley Casserly – a former NFL General Manager with the Washington Redskins and Houston Texans now with the NFL Network.
"Is he a better Kansas City Chiefs safety] Tyrann Mathieu? What is his best position? Anything in the back seven will help the Jags' defense,” Casserly [wrote.
Two other analysts – Chris Trapasso of CBSSports.com and Kevin Hanson of Sports Illustrated – mocked Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown to the Jaguars at No. 9.
"Brown needs to get more effective as a pass rusher when he can't simply bull rush guards into the quarterback, but he's immensely powerful right now and is the best run defender in the class," Trapasso wrote.
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com was the lone analyst among the 11 to project an offensive player to the Jaguars at No. 9, mocking Louisville left tackle Mekhi Becton there.
Cornerback remained a prominent selection by analysts for the Jaguars at No. 20 overall, with seven analysts projecting either Louisiana State corner Kristian Fulton or Florida corner C.J. Henderson there.
"The back seven is where the Jags must get better," Casserly wrote. "Coming out of this first round with Isaiah Simmons and Fulton, they improve their coverage ability dramatically."
Wrote Hanson, "The biggest knock on Henderson will be his tackling, but he possesses the length, speed and confidence to thrive as a cover corner at the next level."
Here's the sixth jaguars.com 2020 mock draft tracker:
No. 9 overall …
Mocker, Affiliation (Date): Player, position, school
Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com (2/20): Mekhi Becton, LT, Louisville
Chris Trapasso, CBSSports.com (2/19): Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Charley Casserly, NFL Media Analyst (2/18): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Mel Kiper, ESPN (2/18): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Tom Fornelli, CBSSports.com (2/18): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Kevin Hanson, Sports Illustrated (2/18): Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Dan Kadar, SB Nation (2/17): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (2/17): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Benjamin Solak, The Draft Network (2/17): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Ryan Wilson, CBSSports.com (2/17): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Will Brinson, CBSSports.com (2/13): A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
Chris Trapasso, CBSSports.com (2/12): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Jordan Reid, The Draft Network (2/12): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Thor Nystrom, Rotoworld (2/12): Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL.com analyst (2/11): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus (2/11): Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Dan Kadar, SB Nation (2/10): Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn (trade with Carolina to No. 7)
Eric Edholm, Yahoo Sports (2/10): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Kevin Hanson, Sports Illustrated (2/6): CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
R.J. White, CBSSports.com (2/6): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Chris Trapasso, CBSSports.com (2/5): Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Dan Kadar, SB Nation (2/4): Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Nate Davis, USA Today (2/4): Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Chad Reuter, NFL Media Draft Analyst (2/3): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Todd McShay, ESPN (2/3): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Matt Miller, Bleacher Report (2/3): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Ryan Wilson, CBSSports.com (2/3): Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Josh Edwards, CBSSports.com (1/30): Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Lance Zierlein, NFL Media Draft Analyst (1/29): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Ryan Wilson, CBSSports.com (1/27): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (1/27): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports (1/24): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Mel Kiper, ESPN (1/24): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media (1/21): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Kevin Hanson, MMQB (1/21): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (1/16): Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Luke Easterling, USA Today (1/14): Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Ryan Wilson, CBSSports.com (1/14): Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus (1/14): Kristian Fulton, CB, Louisiana State
Dan Kadar, SB Nation (1/14): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Vinny Iyer, Sporting News (1/14): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Luke Easterling, USA Today (1/13): Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Josh Edwards, CBSSports.com (1/9): Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Chris Trapasso, CBSSports.com (1/9): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Bryan Fischer, Athlon Sports (1/7): CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Dan Kadar, SB Nation (1/7): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Ryan Wilson, CBSSports.com (1/7): A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
Vinny Iyer, Sporting News (1/6): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Josh Edwards, CBSSports.com (1/2): Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Greg Bedard, Las Vegas Review-Journal (1/2): CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Chris Trapasso, CBSSports.com (1/1): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Ryan Wilson, CBSSports.com (12/31): Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (12/31): Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Luke Easterling, USA Today (12/30): Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports (12/30): Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus (12/30): Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
No. 20 overall …
Mocker, Affiliation (Date): Player, position, school
Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com (2/20): Ross Blacklock, DL, Texas Christian
Chris Trapasso, CBSSports.com (2/19): Josh Jones, LT, Houston
Charley Casserly, NFL Media Analyst (2/18): Kristian Fulton, CB, Louisiana State
Mel Kiper, ESPN (2/18): C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Tom Fornelli, CBSSports.com (2/18): Patrick Queen, LB, Louisiana State
Kevin Hanson, Sports Illustrated (2/18): C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (2/17): C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Ryan Wilson, CBSSports.com (2/17): Josh Jones, OL, Houston
Dan Kadar, SB Nation (2/17): Kristian Fulton, CB, Louisiana State
Benjamin Solak, The Draft Network (2/17): C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Will Brinson, CBSSports.com (2/13): Kristian Fulton, CB, Louisiana State
Chris Trapasso, CBSSports.com (2/12): Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Jordan Reid, The Draft Network (2/12): C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Thor Nystrom, Rotoworld (2/12): Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL.com analyst (2/11): Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus (2/11): Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Eric Edholm, Yahoo Sports (2/10): Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Dan Kadar, SB Nation (2/10): Kristian Fulton, CB, Louisiana State
Kevin Hanson, Sports Illustrated (2/6): C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
R.J. White, CBSSports.com (2/6): Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Chris Trapasso, CBSSports.com (2/5): Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Dan Kadar, SB Nation (2/4): Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Nate Davis, USA Today (2/4): Kristian Fulton, CB, Louisiana State
Chad Reuter, NFL Media Draft Analyst (2/3): Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
Todd McShay, ESPN (2/3): Austin Jackson, OT, Southern California
Matt Miller, Bleacher Report (2/3): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Ryan Wilson, CBSSports.com (2/3): Justin Madubuike, DL, Texas A&M
Josh Edwards, CBSSports.com (1/30): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Lance Zierlein, NFL Media Draft Analyst (1/29): C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Ryan Wilson, CBSSports.com (1/27): C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com analyst (1/27): Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports (1/24): Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Mel Kiper, ESPN (1/24): Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media (1/21): C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Kevin Hanson, MMQB (1/21): Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (1/16): Kristian Fulton, CB, Louisiana State
Luke Easterling, USA Today (1/14): Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus (1/14): Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Ryan Wilson, CBSSports.com (1/14): Kristian Fulton, CB, Louisiana State
Dan Kadar, SB Nation (1/14): Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Vinny Iyer, Sporting News (1/14): Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Luke Easterling, USA Today (1/13): Kristian Fulton, CB, Louisiana State
Josh Edwards, CBSSports.com (1/9): Kristian Fulton, CB, Louisiana State
Chris Trapasso, CBSSports.com (1/9): Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Bryan Fischer, Athlon Sports (1/7): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Dan Kadar, SB Nation (1/7): Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
Ryan Wilson, CBSSports.com (1/7): Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Vinny Iyer, Sporting News (1/6): Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Josh Edwards, CBSSports.com (1/2): Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Greg Bedard, Las Vegas Review-Journal (1/2): Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
Chris Trapasso, CBSSports.com (1/1): Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
Ryan Wilson, CBSSports.com (12/31): Austin Jackson, LT, Southern California
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (12/31): Kristian Fulton, CB, Louisiana State
Luke Easterling, USA Today (12/30): Kristian Fulton, CB, Louisiana State
Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports (12/30): Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus (12/30): Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
