Should the Jaguars draft a cornerback or receiver in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft?
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ offseason has come with positives and negatives. With valuable acquisitions have come significant losses. As the Jaguars prepare for the 2024 NFL Draft, their first-round draft pick has been narrowed down to two likely positions, wide receiver or cornerback.
The good news for Jacksonville is that it’s a deep draft class in both positions, but which one makes more sense in the first round for the teal and gold?
Although it’s painful to pass on talented first-rounders like Terrion Arnold and Quinyon Mitchell, the top priority should still be at wide receiver.
The Jaguars have talent in their receiver room, but it’s up for debate if they have a true No. 1 receiver. In addition to Christian Kirk and Zay Jones, general manager Trent Baalke brought in Gabe Davis and Devin Duvernay during free agency. Duvernay is expected to serve primarily as a returner, which means Trevor Lawrence is lacking targets.
The 2024 draft class has plenty of talent at wideout, two of whom come out of LSU. Although Malik Nabers won’t make it out of the top five, his teammate Brian Thomas Jr. could still be available at 17.
Despite operating as the No. 2 receiver behind Nabers, Thomas recorded an impressive 1,177 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in 2023. Following Calvin Ridley’s departure, the Jaguars need a deep threat, and Thomas is their guy.
Using their first-rounder on a pass catcher doesn’t mean that they can’t bolster their secondary. Cornerbacks T.J. Tampa and Mike Sainristil could fall to the second round, where the Jaguars will be ready to pounce.
