Jaguars expected to make ‘surprise’ selection with No. 1 pick

The Jacksonville Jaguars may “surprise” NFL fans with what they do with the No. 1 overall pick.

There is a chance the Jacksonville Jaguars could “surprise” everyone with what they do with the first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Lord help us all…

In Peter King’s Football Morning in America column ahead of draft week, he hinted at a potential surprise coming out of Jacksonville. While the Jaguars never seemed to be that interested Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal for some reason, the expectation was for them to take an edge rusher at No. 1, either Travon Walker out of Georgia or Aidan Hutchinson out of Michigan.

King believes Jacksonville will still end up taking Walker first because of the Trent Baalke factor, but he also mentioned offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu as a possible candidate to go first. More importantly, it seems as though Hutchinson is no longer likely to go first, meaning he will probably go to his home state’s Detroit Lions at No. 2. Is Jacksonville going to Urban Meyer screw this up?

This has already been a long offseason and it would be so fitting if the 2022 NFL Draft was kicked off by some unbelievable Duval shenanigans. Have a beverage in hand and prepare for the utter madness…

Jacksonville Jaguars have an ace hidden up their sleeve picking at No. 1 overall

Not since the Cincinnati Bengals were picking first two years ago have football fans been less confident about the team with the No. 1 overall selection doing the right thing. Keep in mind that the 2020 NFL Draft was conducted entirely over Zoom due to COVID. The Bengals did the right thing and took Joe Burrow, but it was not without the threat of potential computer user issues.

While this may not be a draft with a Burrow or Trevor Lawrence ripe for the picking at No. 1, Jacksonville needs to get an immediate impact player on Thursday night. Though Walker has the chance to be something special, Hutchinson has a much higher floor, but a definite ceiling. Baalke could see some Aldon Smith in Walker’s game, but it is hard to see Hutchinson being a Bosa Brother.

Ultimately, it would serve the Jaguars to keep their decision close to the vest to make the other teams picking inside of the top 10 sweat a little bit. If they take Walker or Hutchinson, nobody is going to blame them. However, if the Jaguars do go with somebody else entirely and that guy does not pan out, this guy will be associated with Luke Joeckel and Blake Bortles for the rest of time.

This should not be this hard, but nothing is ever easy for these feisty felines from North Florida.