After the 2024 NFL Draft, reviews of draft classes across the league are starting to emerge. According to Sports Illustrated, the Jaguars’ draft class ranks 14th out of 16 in the AFC, just ahead of the Buffalo Bills at 15 and the Tennessee Titans at 16. The Houston Texans hold the 10th spot, while the Indianapolis Colts rank fifth.
Despite this ranking, some critics have criticized the Jaguars for their draft decisions. In particular, Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame has taken issue with their decision to pass on high-upside talent and select wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with their first-round pick at No. 23. However, general manager Trent Baalke defended this choice by stating that Thomas Jr. was their target at No. 17 and they were pleased he was still available at that position.
In addition to Thomas Jr., the Jaguars also made a smart move by trading back to accumulate more picks in later rounds. This allowed them to select a kick returner/running back and a kicker who could potentially make a significant impact on their team in future seasons. While there may be some room for improvement in their draft class overall, these picks should not be heavily criticized since the talent pool was limited at that point in the draft.