NFL Draft Rumors: New Insight Sheds Light On Jaguars' First Overall Pick

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been on the hot seat ever since it was announced that they were going to be picking first overall in the upcoming 2022 NFL draft, and their selection may have just been leaked.

League insider Michael Schottey recently revealed that the Jaguars are expected to select Georgia Bulldogs pass rusher Travon Walker over the Michigan Wolverines’ Aidan Hutchinson.

Walker’s rise to the top of most NFL draft boards came after a stunning performance during the combine: 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash, a short shuttle time of 4.32 seconds plus recording a vertical of 35.5 inches.

For context, Hutchinson recorded 4.74 seconds, 4.15 seconds, and 36 inches in the same categories respectively.

Though putting up such numbers is not the end-all, be-all of a player’s ability to play in the NFL, these are worthwhile indicators of their personal physical abilities.

What matters to most teams is how the player will be integrated into a franchise’s schemes on either the offensive or defensive end.

Hutchinson was the early favorite to be selected first overall as his pedigree under Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh manifested in the form of setting the team’s single-season sack record (14) while also being named a finalist for the 2021 Heisman Trophy.

Walker leaping ahead of Hutchinson in the draft boards may likely be because of his combined numbers, but if the Jaguars are set to take him with their top pick, then it may be because they see something in him that Hutchinson does not have.

Having the number one pick is never easy and the Jaguars showed that after it was reported that general manager Trent Baalke and team owner Shad Khan were at odds about who to select first.

But with the start of the three-day spectacle on a day away, the Jaguars' upper management may have finally come to an agreement to select Baalke’s man over Khan’s preference.

Until NFL commissioner Roger Goodell walks up to the podium and declares the pick, either pass rusher has a 50-50 shot of becoming the top pick of this draft class.