Defense the Call for the Jaguars

The 2022 NFL Draft was finally here, and the Jacksonville Jaguars could finally get the party started. For the second consecutive year, the Jags held the number one overall pick. Last year, they went offense by drafting quarterback Trevor Lawrence from Clemson. This year the census was that defense would be the side choice. Would it be Adrian Hutchison from Michigan or Travon Walker from Georgia? Roger Goodell stepped to the podium in Las Vegas and had officially put the Jags on the clock.

Number One Pick: Travon Walker

Without waste much of the 10 minutes, Doug Pederson put the pick and Goodell was back at the podium. "With the first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select.... Travon Walker, DE Georgia." The 6'5, 272 pounds junior played his best football of 2021 during the College Football Playoffs as the Bulldogs capture the National Championship. Walker was not on many draft boards as the number one pick, but his performance at the NFL Draft began what ended being the number one overall pick. A 4.51 second 40-yard dash, a 351/2-inch vertical leap, and a 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump turned his draft stock around.

Jags general manger, Trent Baalke on the Walker pick

"We feel very strongly about him as a player that we are going to end up with a good football player. But it's not going to be without a lot of work on his part. So, the ceiling is up to him."

27th Pick: Devid Lloyd

The Jaguars was not done drafting in the first round. Trading back into the first round with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the 27th picks. The Jags gave up three draft picks (33rd, 106th, and 180th) in the deal to continue to add to the defense. "With the 27th pick in 2022 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select... Devid Lloyd, ILB Utah." Lloyd was the 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year. A two-time First-Team All-Pac-12 selection. Lloyd's Utah career finished with 256 tackles and 15.5 sacks with a career-high seven sacks this past season.

Defense was the call in Jacksonville. Travon Walker and Devid Lloyd to pair with Josh Allen would be interesting trio. The Jaguars picked up Allen's fifth-year option earlier in the day. Allen and Walker playing both the edge and outside backer while Lloyd manning the middle as the inside backer. Pederson and the front office feel pretty good where they stand after Day One of the NFL Draft. The Jags don't pick again until the Round Three at Pick 65.