After a week of the 2024 NFL Draft, reviews of the draft classes are beginning to surface. Sports Illustrated has ranked the Jaguars’ draft class 14th out of 16 in the AFC, ahead of only the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans. The Houston Texans hold the 10th spot, while the Indianapolis Colts rank fifth.
Despite their strong performance in the draft, Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame criticized the Jaguars for passing on high-upside talent with their first-round pick at No. 23, choosing Brian Thomas Jr., a wide receiver. However, General Manager Trent Baalke defended this decision by stating that Thomas Jr. was their top target at No. 17 and were thrilled he was still available at that position.
The Jaguars also made smart moves by trading back to accumulate more picks in later rounds. While there may be some room for improvement in their draft class, their decisions were not as questionable as some may suggest. Overall, the Jaguars had a successful draft and should not be heavily criticized for their selections.
