Who are some under-the-radar prospects for Jacksonville Jaguars fans to watch at next week’s NFL combine that could really impress?
One of the best in the NFL draft business, Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network, was recently asked this question and provided a few names to keep tabs on.
“I’m looking at some underrated players that I think are going to flash at the combine, I mentioned (Maxwell) Hairston from Kentucky,” Jeremiah said. “He’s going to absolutely fly. He’s in my top 50. I think he’s got a chance to run himself up into the first-round conversation. You’ll hear some buzz and some conversation about him.”
Cornerback is a big need for the Jaguars. Last season, the Jaguars’ pass defense ranked near the bottom of the NFL in several major categories and finding a starting boundary option to line up opposite of Tyson Campbell will be a top priority.
Over the last two seasons, Hairston has allowed a completion rate of 63.7% at 12.8 yards per catch with six interceptions and eight pass breakups. He’s still relatively inexperienced with just over 1,000 career college snaps.
The defensive front is another position that the Jaguars will have to address. This was a unit that ranked 32nd in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate metric, was near the bottom of the league in pressure rate, and ranked 27th in run-stop rate as well.
“There’s a couple of edge rushers and defensive linemen that I think you’re going to see test really, really well that I’m high on that are good football players,” Jeremiah said. Sai’vion Jones from LSU is going to work out really well. He’s 289 pounds. He was dominant in the Senior Bowl game. He’s going to be a day 2 pick. I think you could see him really put on a show there and run particularly well.
“You look at the edge rushers that are going to be impressive. I think Braden Swinson from LSU, his teammate, has a chance to workout run really well.”
A popular pick for the Jaguars in many mock drafts is Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. However, if Jacksonville goes in a different direction in the first round, there will be other opportunities to add to the trenches in what is a very deep defensive line draft class.
“Ahmed Hassanein from Boise State is a great story,” Jeremiah added. “He’s a kid that grew up in Egypt. He’s productive there at Boise State. He’s going to test, I think he’s going to surprise some people with how he works out and how he tests. Those are some of the guys that I think you’ll see create some buzz there.”
One the offensive side of the ball, as head coach Liam Coen said, the offensive line play for the Jaguars has to improve.
Of course, consistent time in the pocket is crucial for any quarterback’s success, but the Jaguars having a strong running game to lean on–as the Bucs’ did in 2024–will be an important factor in determining the offense’s overall level of success.
The lack of a run game last season often put the Jaguars behind the sticks and in predictable passing situations, where the defense then has the upper hand.
“He’s not necessarily under the radar, but I do think Membou from Missouri is going to work out extremely well at 330 pounds,” Jeremiah said. “We’ll be talking about him.”
In Jeremiah’s most recent mock draft, he had Armand Membou going 14th overall.
The NFL combine is one of many data points used by the Jaguars as they build out their big boards. However, this data point can carry a lot of weight with a prospect’s performance next week able to move them up and down draft boards at a fairly rapid rate and in either direction.
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