2020 NFL mock draft: Jacksonville Jaguars select Jedrick Wills Jr.

The Gardner Minshew era is upon us... or is it? The Jacksonville Jaguars quickly moved on from Nick Foles after one failed season, and the modest success of Minshew—a 2019 sixth-round pick—could mean the Jaguars found a much more economical way to fix their lingering quarterback issues.

So the Jaguars seem likely to move on with Minshew as the starter, but where do they go from there? They seem to have taken a significant step back from the dominant defense they once were, and now their best pass rusher wants out.

Who can save this franchise from falling further into the depths of irrelevancy? Well, in our Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft, it will be up to commenter BigJShaky to make their selection ninth overall.

And with that pick the Jaguars have selected Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. Here’s BigJShaky with the rationale:

“As GM of the Jacksonville Jaguars, I am overseeing a full-scale rebuild. Is this at the behest of the owner? Maybe. Let’s not forget that just three seasons ago we had the best defense in the league and lost by four in the AFC title game. And Blake Bortles was our quarterback! Things did not go so well last year, so we’re starting the whole thing over. After consulting with my scout team over at Big Cat Country, our team’s major needs became quite clear:

1. Cornerback: We used to have the tandem of Jalen Ramsey and AJ Bouye. Now we errr… do not. Our current top starter is D.J. Hayden. I think Lions fans know how that will go.

2. Defensive Line: Calais Campbell is gone and Yannick Ngakoue wants out too. Former Lion fan draft crush Taven Bryan has been mediocre at best. We need help on the inside and edge.

3. Offensive Line: Our scouts believe that Cam Robinson needs to move to guard from left tackle. Uncle Rico needs protection and a running game to allow the Minshew Mania to flourish.

4. Wide Receiver: We did something right when we selected DJ Chark! A route-running mate on the opposite side should allow the Jock Strap King to claim his throne.

Ultimately, Jedrick Wills, Jr. is our selection, improving two of our positions by taking over at left tackle and kicking Robinson inside to guard. Rated as the number 9 draft prospect by PFF and number 7 by Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, Wills offers a great value on the board. Miller calls Wills the “best day 1 starter” in the offensive tackle group. Meanwhile, PFF notes that “Wills has the most big-time blocks of any tackle in the draft class.” Wills may not have lit up the combine like Becton, but with an RAS of 8.42 he’s still an elite athlete. Wills shores up a major need at a premium position … plus we have another first and a second upcoming.”

Catch up with all the picks from our POD Community Mock here.