How did national media grade the Jaguars’ 2024 NFL Draft class?

We’ve gathered grades from a dozen national media outlets to provide a fresh perspective on how the Jacksonville Jaguars fared in the 2024 NFL Draft.

From Chad Reuter of NFL.com: A-

Trading down for three picks (including two mid-rounders in 2025) and still landing a downfield target like Thomas was a win for the Jaguars. Smith and Jones filled needs with good value in the second and third rounds, respectively.

From Hayden Winks of Underdog Network: A-

My favorite galaxy-brain move of the draft was the Jaguars’ trade down that netted them the equivalent of an early 4th-round pick, while still managing to add Brian Thomas at great value. Thomas has rare length, speed, and ball tracking. That combination led to a college football high 17 TDs as a 20-year-old junior.

From Ben Arthur of Fox Sports: A-

Only time will tell, but the Jaguars had a great draft on paper. They were able to trade down in the first round from 17 to 23 to get Brian Thomas Jr., whom general manager Trent Baalke said would’ve been the pick at 17. He had been valued by many as a mid-first-round pick. Fourth-rounder Javon Foster, a standout offensive tackle in the SEC, could immediately step in as the No. 3 OT with a chance to be a starter in the future. Jacksonville also leaves the draft with tremendous depth and on the defensive line behind standout trio Josh Allen, Travon Walker and Arik Armstead.

From Trevor Sikkema of PFF: B

Thomas’ calling card is his explosive speed and ability to win vertically. He led the nation in 2023 with a 99.9 PFF deep receiving grade and 12 deep receiving touchdowns. He’ll instantly threaten safeties vertically, and if he improves his route running, he has WR1 potential.

From Rob Maaddi of AP News: B

Traded down to No. 23 and got a player many projected they’d take at 17 in WR Brian Thomas Jr. Filled defensive needs with DL Maason Smith (48) and S Jarrian Jones (96).

From the scouting department at Bleacher Report: B-

… it felt like the Jaguars reached for quite a few prospects after Round 1, and it would have been nice to see the offense come away with a more polished receiver who can complement Thomas’ explosiveness.

In all, this feels like a risky draft class for Jacksonville, and the roster doesn’t feel stronger than it was at the end of last season.

From Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN: B-

… Baalke threw a few late picks at his cornerback room, but I’m not sure that’s enough for a team with questions there. I do like Thomas, though, and his contract is certainly much cheaper than Ridley’s.

From Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports: B-

After Thomas Jr. in Round 1, which happened after a trade back, I liked but didn’t love what the Jaguars did. Smith has immense upside but never quite put it together at LSU, and Jones was one of the better nickel corners in the class. Foster has girth to play with power consistently. After that, their Day 3 picks left a lot to be desired in my estimation. Just minimal upside with those selections.

From Danny Kelly of The Ringer: C+

The Jaguars’ draft is built on a whole lot of upside. After trading back in the first round, Jacksonville grabbed a scintillating playmaker in LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who brings sizzling speed but is still developing his skills as a route-runner. Thomas’s former college teammate, defensive tackle Maason Smith, is another player with a high-ceiling combination of size and speed who may need time to mature. Florida corner Jarrian Jones fits the same profile. If this class hits its potential, we could look back at this group as a turning point for the franchise. But there’s a lot of room for variance among the team’s top picks too.

From Charles McDonald of Yahoo Sports: C

The Jaguars’ offseason has been just OK and the draft followed suit. They did a great job moving down from their original spot in Round 1 of the draft while still landing a big-time wide receiver prospect, which they needed after clumsily letting Calvin Ridley walk to a divisional rival in free agency. Beyond that, it doesn’t seem like they got too much positive impact, but if Thomas is the final key that allows the Jaguars’ passing game to be consistent in the future, it’s fine. Getting Trevor Lawrence another receiver was priority No. 1 and they might have gotten the best of the second wave of wide receivers.

From Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated: C

Thomas is a talented receiver, but the pick was questionable when one considers how badly the Jaguars needed a corner, and none had been picked at that juncture. Down the board, Jacksonville did add defensive help, but is it enough? The Jaguars are betting on mid- to late-round talent to shine through early on that side of the ball.

From Nate Davis of USA Today: C

Trading down in Round 1, for a pair of mid-round picks next year, and still getting LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. is solid use of the board. Trading a Day 2 pick for WR Calvin Ridley, getting too cute in a bid to re-sign him, then having to take Thomas to replace him… not such good use. Third-round CB Jarrian Jones could be a heist, and it’s probably a win if one of the LSU DTs, Maason Smith (Round 2) and Jordan Jefferson (Round 4), hits.

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