What is the dream draft haul for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first two rounds of this year's NFL draft?
Chad Reuter of NFL.com recently went through this exercise for all 32 teams, identifying what the "ideal" top two picks for each team would look like.
So who do the Jaguars end up with?
At pick No. 5, the Jaguars landed Mason Graham--the defensive tackle from Michigan. Understandably so, Graham has been an extremely popular pick in mock drafts for the Jaguars, although, if we're going to lean into the "dream" or "ideal" scenario for the Jaguars, perhaps coming away with Travis Hunter at fifth overall better fits that mold.
But nonetheless, Graham would provide an instant upgrade to the Jaguars' interior defensive line, where they very much need a boost. By PFF's metrics, Graham tallied 34 pressures and five sacks in 2024. He was also the top-graded interior run defender and was second in run-stop rate.
When a defense has a strong interior presence who can create a steady push, eat up space, and take on blockers, every defender on the field benefits.
"Graham played multiple spots for Michigan due to his combination of low pad level, quick feet and pure resolve," wrote Reuter. "He'll pair with 2024 second-round pick Maason Smith to bolster the team's front."
Then, with pick 36, Reuter has Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston as an ideal second round selection.
As Reuter notes, even with the addition of Jourdan Lewis in free agency, there are still unknowns at cornerback--mainly, how will Jarrian Jones transition to the boundary, not to mention that depth at this position is still a need as well. In both instances, additional competition should be a part of the equation.
Hairston was a standout performer at the NFL combine. He is a relatively inexperienced player with just over 1,000 career snaps. Over the last two seasons, he's allowed a completion rate of 63.7% at 12.8 yards per catch with six interceptions and eight pass breakups.
This is a pick where the Jaguars are taking a swing on being able to maximize Hairston's upside, which there is a ton of.
"The Jags must find another outside corner in the first three rounds," wrote Reuter. "At 5-11 and 183 pounds, Hairston does not possess great size, but his speed and tenacity make him a top-40 prospect."
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Jaguars 'dream draft haul' prioritizes ...
