The Jacksonville Jaguars have concluded their 2022 NFL Draft class with seven total draft picks. This was the second consecutive year in which the Jaguars held the number one overall pick, as well as the third consecutive year in which they made multiple first rounds sections. In 2020, the Jaguars selected CJ Henderson (#9) and Klavon Chaisson (#20). In 2021, Jacksonville selected Trevor Lawrence (#1) and Clemson teammate Travis Etienne Jr (#25). Now in 2022, the Jaguars drafted Travon Walker (#1) before trading back into the first round to select Devin Lloyd (#27).
Travon Walker
Travon Walker was the number one overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, and it came as a surprise to many Jaguar fans and NFL media members. Travon Walker shot up the draft boards over the last four weeks prior to the Draft following an impressive combine workout. At the NFL Combine, Walker stood 6-foot-5, 272 pounds with 35.5 inch arms. Travon Walker possesses the frame, size, and athleticism that coaches look for in a modern day NFL pass rusher. At the NFL Combine, Walker clocked a 4.51 40-yard dash, had a 35.5 vertical, a 123-inch broad jump, and had good 3-cone and shuttle times. While he only finished with just 9.5 career sacks at Georgia, Trent Baalke and the Jaguars believe his potential as an edge rusher is high alongside Josh Allen.
Devin Lloyd
Devin Lloyd came into the NFL Draft ranked as the number one linebacker in the class to many NFL scouts. Late in the first round, the Jaguars traded back up to number 27 overall to select the linebacker from Utah. During his Utah career, Lloyd totaled 256 tackles, 150 solo tackles, 16.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, five interceptions, eight pass breakups, and had three touchdowns. In 2021, Devin Lloyd was ranked third in the Pac-12 with 110 tackles, including a league-leading 22 TFL. He also had eight sacks that led all Pac-12 linebackers, had four interceptions (two for touchdowns), six PBUs, two QB hurries, and a fumble recovery. Lloyd also had an impressive rating in coverage, limiting receivers to a 55.3 QB rating when targeted. The Jaguars, who let go of Myles Jack and Damien Wilson this off-season, are getting a plug in play linebacker for the future of this team moving forward.
Luke Fortner
With the first pick in the third round at No. 65 overall, the Jaguars selected Luke Fortner, a center from Kentucky. Luke played all three positions on the interior of the offensive line during his tenure as a Wildcat. In 2020 as a senior, Fortner played on 538 snaps at left and right guard and allowed just two sacks and nine total hurries on the season. Luke was granted eligibility for the 2021 season due to the pandemic, and when making the transition to center on 848 blocking snaps, he only allowed two sacks and five total pressures. The Jaguars lost long time center Brandon Linder this off-season due to retirement and have now found their center of the future.
Chad Muma
At No. 70 overall, the Jaguars went back to the defensive side of the ball and selected Chad Mum, a linebacker from Wyoming. Playing in 43 games at Wyoming, Muma had 254 total tackles (142 solo), 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, three interceptions, six passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovered. Coming in at 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds, Muma has the prototypical frame for an interior linebacker, but was very impressive at the combine. At the NFL Combine, Muma had a 40-inch vertical, a 10-foot-9-inch broad jump, a 7.06-second three-cone drill, and a 4.28-second 20-yard shuttle. Chad Muma will be a great compliment alongside Devin Lloyd and the rest of the Jaguars linebacker core.
Snoop Conner
In the 5th round at 154 overall, the Jaguars traded two later round picks with the Philadelphia Eagles to move up and select running back Snoop Conner from Ole Miss. Coming in at 5-foot-10 and weighing 220 pounds, Conner is going to be a nice bruiser and downhill running back for the Jaguars. In 35 career games with Ole Miss, Conner rushed for 1,580 yards on 304 attempts (5.2 yards per carry) and 26 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 32 passes for 225 yards. Conner has a great nose for the endzone and will get some nice snaps as James Robinson continues to rehab from the Achilles injury he sustained last season.
Gregory Junior
With the No. 197 overall pick in the sixth round, the Jaguars selected cornerback from Ouachita Baptist, Gregory Junior. Junior, who is six feet tall and 190 pounds, recorded 46 tackles, three tackles for loss and seven pass breakups for the Ouachita Baptist Tigers in 2021. Junior had a solid performance at the Senior Bowl practices and the Jaguars must see some potential in this young kid. He will most likely start off on special teams and have to work his way into the rotation.
Montaric Brown
With the Jaguars final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, they selected cornerback from Arkansas, Montaric Brown. Standing at six feet tall and weighing 190 pounds, Brown was one of the best corners in the SEC this past season. Brown had the third-lowest passer rating allowed in man-to-man coverage across the country last year, and led the SEC with five interceptions. Brown was a great value pick for the Jaguars in the seventh round and could find some snaps on the field if he continues to develop his game.