The 2024 NFL Draft has been over for a week, and early reviews of draft classes across the NFL are coming in. According to Sports Illustrated, the Jaguars’ draft class ranks 14th out of 16 in the AFC, placing them ahead of only the Buffalo Bills at 15 and the Tennessee Titans at 16. The Houston Texans hold the 10th spot, while the Indianapolis Colts rank 5th.

Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame criticized the Jaguars for their draft decisions, particularly for passing on high-upside talent and taking a wide receiver, Brian Thomas Jr., with their first-round pick at No. 23. However, the Jaguars made a smart move by trading back to accumulate more picks. General manager Trent Baalke defended the selection of Brian Thomas Jr., stating that he was their target at No. 17 and they were pleased he was still available at 23.

Furthermore, the Jaguars’ picks of a kick returner/running back and a kicker in the later rounds should not be heavily criticized since the talent pool was limited at that point in the draft. Overall, while there may be some room for improvement in the Jaguars’ draft class, their decisions were not as questionable as some may suggest.