Solid Starter
Brenton Strange, TE, Penn State – Round 2 
The Jaguars made a nice free agent signing with veteran Evan Engram before the 2022 season. Engram turned in a good year and helped Trevor Lawrence produce a breakout season that resulted in a division title and a playoff win for Jacksonville. While Engram is returning for 2023, he has had a very hard time staying healthy, plus the Jaguars’ scheme uses a lot of double-tight end sets. Hence I could see Strange getting starting-caliber playoff time once he develops as a pro.
Strange flashed ability for the Nittany Lions, but they did not get him the ball very much. In 2022, he recorded 32 receptions for 362 yards and five touchdowns. While that was not great production, Penn State’s quarterback play really held back the receiving numbers of the wide receivers and tight ends over the past few seasons. The 6-foot-4, 253-pound Strange has the size and athleticism to be a receiving contributor while also being a capable blocker.
Engram will be the starter in 2023, but over the seasons to come, Strange could see the majority of snaps given Engram is undersized as a blocker and prone to injury. Strange would allow the Jaguars to save Engram and have him ready for third-down and obvious passing situations. While it might take some time, I think Strange could emerge as a solid starter for Jacksonville.
2022: Devin Lloyd, LB
2021: Travis Etienne, RB
2020: K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB
2019: Josh Allen, LB
2018: Ronnie Harrison, S
2017: Cam Robinson, OT
2016: Sheldon Day, DT
2015: Dante Fowler, DE
2014: Allen Robinson, WR
2013: Luke Joeckel, LT
Most Likely To Bust
Tyler Lacy, DT, Oklahoma State – Round 4 
Generally, I don’t have third-day selections in this category because the vast majority of those picked after the third round don’t stick in the NFL. I did not see a true bust candidate in Jacksonville’s first three selections, and Lacy could be a player who has a hard time sticking in the pros. Lacy flashed some ability at the Senior Bowl, but he was not a real producer as a pass rusher during his college career, putting up only 3.5 sacks in 2021 and three sacks in 2022. Lacy is more of a run-defending defensive end, but in the passing-driven NFL, teams like to have backup who can rush as well so they can employ a rotation to keep their linemen fresh. Lacy’s pass-rushing limitations potentially make him a potential player who won’t work out at the next level.
2022: None
2021: Walker Little, OT
2020: Laviska Shenault, WR
2019: Josh Oliver, TE
2018: D.J. Chark, WR
2017: DeDe Westbrook, WR
2016: Jalen Ramsey, DB
2015: A.J. Cann, G
2014: Blake Bortles, QB
2013: Denard Robinson, RB
Potential Boom Pick
Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma – Round 1 
The Jaguars were forced to address the offensive tackle position in the 2023 NFL Draft. Starting right tackle Jawann Taylor left in free agency, and Cam Robinson will open the 2023 season on suspension. Hence, Jacksonville needed some immediate help at protecting Trevor Lawrence.
The 6-foot-5, 309-pound Harrison is a natural pass blocker who has quick feet that allow him to get depth in his drop and neutralize speed rushers. He should be an asset to take on the fast edge rushers because he is quick out of stance and reacts immediately to cut off the corner, which prevents them from running the loop around the edge. With his quick feet and an ability to bend at the knee, Harrison doesn’t have to reach after rushers, and he is not a waist bender. Harrison uses his length well to tie up rushers and does a very good job of sustaining his blocks. For the Jaguars, Harrison could be a very solid at protecting Lawrence against fast edge rushers.
As a run blocker, Harrison is not a bull. He lacks the strength and physicality to blast defenders off the ball and ride them around the field. That being said, Harrison is not a liability because he ties up, twists, turns, and manipulates defensive linemen to keep them from getting to the ball-carrier. Harrison shows some quickness to the second level and agility to pull. Right now, he would be better off in a zone-blocking system that focuses on his athleticism because he does not pack a serious punch at the point of attack.
Harrison possesses a lot of experience from having been a 3-year starter for the Sooners. Just about immediately, he could start and help the Jaguars through the loss of their veterans. Harrison has boom-pick potential in the longer term if he can grow a little stronger and more physical.
2022: Travon Walker, DE
2021: Trevor Lawrence, QB
2020: C.J. Henderson, CB
2019: Jawaan Taylor, OT
2018: Taven Bryan, DT
2017: Leonard Fournette, RB
2016: Myles Jack, LB
2015: T.J. Yeldon, RB
2014: Marqise Lee, WR
2013: Jonathan Cyprien, S
Future Depth Player
Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn – Round 3 
Bigsby went under the radar because Auburn struggled over the past few seasons, but he definitely has some next-level ability. He is quick to the hole, runs hard, can get yards after contact, and has power back size at 6-foot, 210 pounds. Bigsby might not become a starter for the Jaguars because they already have a good young starter in Travis Etienne, but Bigsby could be a very good No. 2 back who lightens the load for Etienne and helps to keep Etienne fresh and healthy. Bigsby was a solid third-round choice who could be a nice role player for Jacksonville.
2022: Chad Muma, LB
2021: Luke Farrell, TE
2020: DaVon Hamilton, DT
2019: Ryquell Armstead, RB
2018: Will Richardson, OT
2017: Dawuane Smoot, DE
2016: Brandon Allen, QB
2015: Michael Bennett, DT
2014: Chris Smith, LB
2013: Ace Sanders, WR
Walt’s 2023 NFL Draft Grades:
27. Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma – A Grade
I love that the Jaguars traded down twice. I thought they would pick Nolan Smith here, but Anton Harrison also makes a ton of sense. Jacksonville lost Jawaan Taylor this offseason, while Cam Robinson could be suspended. I had Harrison going No. 19 in my mock draft, so I don’t view this as a reach at all.
61. Brenton Strange, TE, Penn State – MILLEN Grade
This is a strange pick. Brenton Strange is someone I had late third round at the very earliest. Strange, who has nice run-after-the-catch ability, is a reach here, but not necessarily an egregious one. What really gets me is that tight end is the last thing the Jaguars needed. With lots of other holes on the roster, Jacksonville should have gone elsewhere. This is our first Millen of the weekend.
88. Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn – D Grade
Come on, guys, you have bigger needs than this. Tank Bigsby can help the Jaguars plow into the end zone, but Jacksonville already had two talented running backs in Travis Etienne and D’Ernest Johnson. The Jaguars had way bigger fish to fry.
121. Ventrell Miller, LB, Florida – B+ Grade
Ventrell Miller won’t be a three-down defender, but that’s fine because he’ll help the Jaguars defend the run. I had Miller around this range, so I’m a fan of Jacksonville drafting him at this spot.
130. Tyler Lacy, DE, Oklahoma State – B Grade
The Jaguars are getting a high-upside player in Tyler Lacy. However, Lacy needs to get bigger and stronger for the NFL, as he doesn’t appear to be ready to play many snaps in the pros at the moment. I actually had Lacy going one pick earlier, so the range makes sense.
136. Yasir Abdullah, DE/OLB, Louisville – C+ Grade
I didn’t have Yasir Abdullah in my mock draft, but he was in consideration for the final couple of rounds. Abdullah was productive as a pass rusher at Louisville, but he’s a bit small so he won’t be a full-time player.
160. Antonio Johnson, S/CB, Texas A&M – A Grade
I’ve had Antonio Johnson in the third or fourth round of most of my mock draft updates, so I love the value with this pick. Antonio Johnson doesn’t have great athleticism, but he’s a tall cornerback who was productive at Texas A&M. He may have to move to safety in the NFL.
185. Parker Washington, WR, Penn State – B- Grade
I don’t know why the Jaguars need another receiver, but they have a million picks, so I guess they were bound to take one. Parker Washington projects as a solid slot receiver in the pros.
202. Christian Braswell, CB, Oregon – C Grade
Christian Braswell is an instinctive cornerback, but he’s a small corner who will be pushed around. I didn’t have him in any of my mocks, but the Jaguars could have landed a decent depth player.
208. Erick Hallett, S, Pittsburgh – B- Grade
Erick Hallett is an instinctive safety, which should bode well for his outlook in the NFL. The problem is that he’s small and struggles to tackle, so he needs to improve in that regard. I’m fine with the Jaguars drafting a defensive back here though.
226. Cooper Hodges, OT/G, Appalachian State – B Grade
Cooper Hodges is a tough run blocker, but may have to move from tackle to guard in the pros. The Jaguars could use another guard, so that should be just fine. Hodges makes sense in this range.
227. Raymond Vohasek, DT, North Carolina – C Grade
I’m surprised Raymond Vohasek was drafted. He’s not a good pass rusher, and he has a very sketchy injury history. He’ll have trouble making the roster.
240. Derek Parish, DE/OLB, Houston – C+ Grade
Derek Parish is an explosive pass rusher, but the problem is that he has a very small frame and lacks strength. He’s a situational player at the very best.
2023 NFL Draft Team Grade: C. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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