What selections did the Jacksonville Jaguars have in the 2023 NFL Draft, and where did they fall in the draft order?
The Jaguars’ biggest 2023 acquisition may have been acquired in 2022. When they traded for a suspended Calvin Ridley, they knew they would have to wait a year, but they believe the payoff will be worth it. With Christian Kirk’s emergence and the further development of Trevor Lawrence, the Jags have quite the arsenal.
This allowed them to focus on other areas of need in the 2023 NFL Draft. The trenches needed upgrading, as well as the secondary. With 13 selections, they had ample opportunity to address those needs.
See how the Jaguars graded out during the 2023 NFL Draft and the entire draft results for every team.
Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Picks by Round in 2023
- Round 1, Pick 27 (From BUF)
Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma - Round 2, Pick 61 (From CHI via SF via CAR)
Brenton Strange, TE, Penn State - Round 3, Pick 88
Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn - Round 4, Pick 121 (From TB)
Ventrell Miller, LB, Florida - Round 4, Pick 130 (From BUF)
Tyler Lacy, EDGE, Oklahoma State - Round 5, Pick 136 (From CHI)
Yasir Abdullah, EDGE, Louisville - Round 5, Pick 160 (From NYG)
Antonio Johnson, CB, Texas A&M - Round 6, Pick 185 (From NYJ)
Parker Washington, WR, Penn State - Round 6, Pick 202
Christian Braswell, CB, Rutgers - Round 6, Pick 208 (From PHI)
Erick Hallett II, S, Pittsburgh - Round 7, Pick 226 (From CAR)
Cooper Hodges, OT, Appalachian State - Round 7, Pick 227 (From NO)
Raymond Vohasek, DT, North Carolina - Round 7, Pick 240 (from BAL via NYG)
Derek Parish, EDGE, Houston
How Many Draft Picks Did the Jaguars Have Entering the 2023 NFL Draft?
Jacksonville used 13 total selections in the 2023 NFL Draft. Two were their own picks, while the others were all acquired via the trade market. Jacksonville also moved back twice in the first round, where they selected Anton Harrison.
Jacksonville traded away their fifth- and seventh-round selections for the 2023 NFL Draft. They sent their fifth-round selection to the Atlanta Falcons when they acquired suspended WR Calvin Ridley during the 2022 season. Meanwhile, they used their original seventh-round pick to trade for Packers’ offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen, who is a backup and special-teams player.
Jacksonville traded fifth- and seventh-round picks from the 2022 NFL Draft for the Buccaneers’ fourth-round pick in 2023, which ended up being a higher pick than their own, something probably few would have considered a possibility before the season. Those two picks turned into CB Zyon McCollum and TE Ko Kieft.
Jacksonville also acquired two sixth-round selections in the 2023 draft. The first was the Houston Texans’ pick at the top of the round that has come via the New York Jets as part of the midseason trade that sent RB James Robinson to New York. The second sixth-round pick was from the Philadelphia Eagles. The Jaguars acquired the selection and CB Jameson Houston in return for sending CB Josiah Scott to the Eagles.
Who Were the Jaguars’ Draft Picks in 2023?
First-round pick Anton Harrison addresses perhaps the Jags’ biggest area of need, especially with right tackle Jawaan Taylor leaving for Kansas City in free agency. Harrison was one of the top tackles in this draft and projects as a pure left tackle.
The selection of Brenton Strange in the second round was solid as they look to add insurance behind Evan Engram at tight end. While a capable blocker, he adds another pass-catching option for Lawrence in the middle of the field. Engram signed a long-term deal later this offseason, so Strange’s value is lessened, but the Jaguars didn’t have many needs to force a pick.
Third-round running back Tank Bigsby not only has an elite name, but he’s a gifted playmaker. He has a good blend of speed and power, giving Jacksonville an excellent backup for Travis Etienne Jr.
The remaining picks were Day 3 selections. While each player has the chance to make the team’s final roster, none projects to be more than a depth player in Year 1. It’d be a major steal for the Jaguars to unearth a bigger contributor on Day 3 for this quality roster.