Jay Tufele
With the 106th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars have selected USC defensive tackle Jay Tufele.
Jay Tufele, 21, opted out of the 2020 season due to Covid-19. However, Tufele earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019. And in 2018, he was named second-team All-Pac-12, playing in all 12 games. The Jaguars hope the selection of Tufele helps Jacksonville improve from its 30th-ranked rushing defense in 2020, and 31st-ranked unit in points allowed per game and sacks.
Conclusion: Tufele is a power player on the defensive line, so it is possible Jacksonville could view him as a big end in the 3-4 alignment.
Jordan Smith
The Jaguars traded with the Rams to acquire pick No. 121. And with the 121st pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Alabama-Birmingham DE Jordan Smith.
Rams trade picks 121 (4th round) and 209 (6th round) to Jaguars for picks 130 (4th round), 170 (5th round) and 249 (7th round)
— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) May 1, 2021
Smith, who originally played for the Florida Gators before being suspended and transferring to UAB, is a versatile edge rusher with the size the NFL looks for in an attacking front. The 22-year-old was ultra productive for UAB with 23.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks in 21 games.
Smith now joins Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson as young but promising ends in the Jacksonville front.
The Jaguars are back on the clock at pick 145, the first in the fifth round.