Jaguars set to accomplish rare feat in 2022 draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be the number one overall selection for the second year in a row.

This time, it looks like they’ll go to defense after picking quarterback Trevor Lawrence last year.

They also brought in wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones in free agency to line up with Marvin Jones Jr.

Jacksonville also improved its offensive line by signing Brandon Scherff.

The Jaguars also have a strong backfield unit with James Robinson and Travis Etienne, who will finally play after undergoing surgery for his Lisfranc injury.

These moves dictate that the team will build their defense throughout the draft.

Therefore, they will be doing something that hasn’t been seen for five years.

It’s not often that the first pick in the NFL Draft is a non-QB.

Here are some of the most recent times it happened ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/F83g1YtQha

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) April 12, 2022

The FOX Sports NFL Twitter account shared non-quarterbacks who were drafted first.

Last on the list is Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett in 2017.

Jadeveon Clowney went to the Houston Texans in 2014, while offensive tackle Eric Fisher was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs the previous year.

Eight of the ten players on the list are offensive or defensive linemen, with wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson and running back Ki-Jana Carter being the exceptions.

But this trend proves the importance of having a solid line on both sides.

After all, controlling the line of scrimmage is essential to winning games.

Who will the Jaguars pick as number one?

While it’s inevitable that they’ll pick up a defensive player, there’s no consensus on who the Jaguars will get.

Some fictional drafts point to defensive end Aidan Hutchinson as Jacksonville’s likely selection.

Meanwhile, some reports claim the team is leaning towards former Georgia defensive end Travon Walker.

There is also speculation that Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux could become number one.

All three players have merit, which led general manager Trent Baalke to make up his mind on draft day himself.