JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The countdown to the NFL draft is on as the opening night is just over a week out. After last year’s trade up for Travis Hunter, the Jaguars are without a first-round pick for the first time in franchise history. Their first selection comes at 56 in the second round. How have the Jaguars fared in the second round before?
Have the Jaguars picked No. 56 before?
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Yes, in 1999, Tom Coughlin drafted Florida State defensive lineman Larry Smith, a Charlton County High School graduate. We’ll have more on how that pick panned out down in the story.
How many second-round picks have they made?
A total of 32 picks in the second round, including two in the 2021, 2014, 2004 and 1995-96 drafts. Jacksonville has been without a second-round pick four times before, including last year. The Jaguars traded last year’s second-round pick to the Browns as part of the deal for Travis Hunter.
Top four second-round picks
These four selections are my top (and probably most Jacksonville draftniks) second-round picks in franchise history.
DE Tony Brackens, Texas, 1996
He spent eight years in the league and held the franchise sack record (55) until Josh Hines-Allen broke it last season. Brackens was a second-team All-Pro in 1999 when he had 12 sacks and a league-leading eight forced fumbles. Brackens’ move to rip the ball from a quarterback on a rush was a move still shown in highlights today. He forced 29 fumbles and recovered 13 and also had five interceptions.
RB Maurice-Jones Drew, UCLA, 2006
Spent eight years in Jacksonville and made three Pro Bowl appearances. Led league in rushing (1,606 yards) in 2011, a season where he was a first-team All-Pro. Rushed for 8,071 yards, 68 TDs with the Jaguars, totals that rank second in franchise history behind Fred Taylor.
DB Rashean Mathis, Bethune-Cookman, 2003
The Englewood High School graduate had a hall of fame career in college and was exceptional in Jacksonville. Mathis had 30 career interceptions and took four back for touchdowns. Mathis made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and also earned first-team All-Pro honors after picking off eight passes.
C Brad Meester, Northern Iowa, 2000
A starter from his first game all the way through when he retired in 2013, Meester was a durable and dependable. He played all 16 games in 11 of his 14 seasons and retired as a fan favorite. Meester remains the franchise leader in games played and starts (both 209).
Bottom four second-round picks
Not every pick hits and here are four that had their struggles in Jacksonville.
C Michael Cheever, Georgia Tech, 1996
Sometimes players don’t play well. Other times, injuries end things before they really get started. Cheever was selected to be the team’s center of the future but lasted just 17 career games before a back injury ended his NFL career.
DE Quentin Groves, Auburn, 2008
In two seasons in Jacksonville, Groves started seven games and had 30 tackles and 2.5 sacks. His position here was part of a terrible draft class overall. Jacksonville traded up to draft both Groves and Derrick Harvey in the first round. Groves was traded to the Raiders for a fifth-round pick before the 2010 season. Tragically, Groves died at just 32 years old of a heart condition.
DL Larry Smith, Florida State, 1999
This is a difficult call because hindsight favors players who have been out of the league for a bit. Smith was mainly a backup, starting just seven of 64 games and finishing with 5.5 sacks before the team cut him due to conditioning issues. He had some well-publicized issues in the locker room, too.
DB Cordell Taylor, Hampton, 1998
Without question, the worst second-round pick in franchise history. He played in 11 games and made one tackle before the team traded him to the Seahawks before the start of the 1999 season. He was out of the league by 2000.
Some of the best second-round picks in NFL history
2016: 45. RB Derrick Henry, Titans
2010: 42. TE Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
2001: 32. QB Drew Brees, Chargers, Pro Football Hall of Fame
1996: 61. S Brian Dawkins, Eagles, Pro Football Hall of Fame
1993: 40. DE Michael Strahan, Giants, Pro Football Hall of Fame
1990: 40. S LeRoy Butler, Packers, Pro Football Hall of Fame
1994: 46. OL Larry Allen, Cowboys, Pro Football Hall of Fame
All-time second-round selections by Jaguars
Year, Selection No., Position, Player, College
2025: None
2024: 48. DL Maason Smith, LSU
2023: 61. TE Brenton Strange, Penn State
2022: None
2021: 33. CB Tyson Campbell, Georgia. 45. OL Walker Little, Stanford
2020: 42. WR Laviska Shenault, Colorado
2019: 35. OL Jawaan Taylor, Florida
2018: 61. WR DJ Chark, LSU
2017: 34. OL Cam Robinson, Alabama
2016: 36. LB Myles Jack, UCLA
2015: 36. RB TJ Yeldon, Alabama
2014: 39. WR Marqise Lee, USC. 61. WR Allen Robinson, Penn State
2013: 33. S Johnathan Cyprien, FIU
2012: 38. LB Andre Branch, Clemson
2011: None
2010: None
2009: 39. OL Eben Britton, Arizona
2008: 52. DE Quentin Groves, Auburn
2007: 48. LB Justin Durant, Hampton
2006: 60. RB Maurice Jones-Drew, UCLA
2005: 52. OL Khalif Barnes, Washington
2004: 39. LB Daryl Smith, Georgia Tech. 55. RB Greg Jones, Florida State
2003: 39. DB Rashean Mathis, Bethune-Cookman
2002: 40. OL Mike Pearson, Florida
2001: 43. OL Maurice Williams, Michigan
2000: 60. C Brad Meester, Northern Iowa
1999: 56. DL Larry Smith, Florida State
1998: 57. DB Cordell Taylor, Hampton
1997: 50. DB Mike Logan, West Virginia
1996: 33. DE Tony Brackens, Texas. 60. C Michael Cheever, Georgia Tech
1995: 40. OL Brian DeMarco, Michigan State. 64. LB Bryan Schwartz, Augustana (South Dakota)