The 2022 NFL Draft saw the Jacksonville Jaguars use their picks wisely.
This also marked the third year consecutive year the Jaguars had two picks in the first-round of the NFL Draft.
First, they addressed their defensive needs with Devin Lloyd and Travon Walker in the first-round.
Next, they addressed some needs with their offensive line by drafting Luke Fortner.
However, they ended the draft with a pair of late-round picks to help their secondary.
Overall, the draft bulked up the team’s defense and added one player to help their offensive line.
But not everyone was glad Jacksonville selected Walker with the first pick in the draft.
Some Question The Jaguars Drafting Travon Walker First Overall
When Aidan Hutchinson was projected to go to Jacksonville, the team got Walker instead.
Some football fans think it was a dangerous move, and a move that would anger Jaguars’ fans.
I’m nervous beyond belief that the city of Jacksonville will burn to a crisp if Travon Walker is chosen number 1 overall. For the life of me I cannot get behind him being the first guy off the board! You don’t draft a project with the top overall pick, you just don’t. #NFLDraft
— Brandon (@TheRealBDejesus) April 28, 2022
However, the team saw his combine performance and drafted him because of that performance.
But will his potential for success be a reach the Jaguars shouldn’t have taken at number one?
Some think so, while others believe he can find success early in the NFL.
With Doug Pederson coaching the Jaguars, they have a safe coach to help him grow fast.
This is unlike their previous head coach, Urban Meyer, whose coaching style is unorthodox.
Jaguars New Head Coach Gives Team A Safe And Proven Coach
Besides playing things safe with draft picks, the team also has a relatively safe coach in Pederson.
The former Philadelphia Eagles head coach has Super Bowl experience, winning one with the Eagles.
He also brings with him a sense of normalcy, as players didn’t have that with Meyer.
He was a coach bringing shame on Jacksonville and their franchise after people thought he’d be a great fit for the Jaguars.
Wild to think this time last year, @Jaguars had Urban Meyer and thought they hit the jackpot. Only for him to embarrass and alienate everyone @barstoolsports @BussinWTB
— John Blacksher (@MobTown1987) April 29, 2022
But his kicking of a player, and not knowing who certain star players on opposing teams were, made national headlines.
It also left a black eye on Jacksonville, as fans now question why the team hired him.
However, Pederson is in town to help rebuild the Jaguars.
He’s a former quarterback that can help current starter Trevor Lawrence grow.
While Pederson was mostly a backup in the NFL, he played behind two legendary quarterbacks in Dan Marino and Brett Favre.
Will Playing Things Safe Reward Jacksonville In 2022?
Fans want to see instant success in Jacksonville with the Jaguars.
However, they are still rebuilding their team.
While playing things safe can help them, it won’t transition into instant success.
But it will build a future for Jacksonville and the franchise with the players they now have.
The team needs to stay the course and not make any rash decisions.
Jacksonville needs two to three years to gel together with Pederson.
With the time together, the players can improve and start developing together to help Jacksonville become a winning team again.
If ownership can show patience with their current team, it could pay off for Jacksonville in the future.
NEXT: Jaguars Already Monumentally Better Off Than A Year Ago