The Jacksonville Jaguars' draft could go a thousand different ways later this month. While their defense needs major help, having Trevor Lawrence at quarterback could motivate them to add help in the trenches or even more weapons to the team's receiver corps.

But on Mel Kiper's latest mock draft for ESPN, the Jaguars take an approach that shows a lot of confidence and faith in their quarterback. In it, they double up on defensive difference-makers while trusting they've got enough to work with offensively.

Last year, the Jaguars finished the season as one of the worst defenses in the entire league. Adding a couple of players with starting potential in this year's NFL Draft could help change that.

Such a defensive overhaul could start in the trenches. At least that's the direction Kiper took in his latest simulation. 

With the 24th overall pick, he's got the Jaguars grabbing some defensive line help from the Big 10 conference. Here's his full breakdown: 

24. EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa

This is a pairing I had in my Mock Draft 2.0. Van Ness has positional flexibility; at 6-5, 272 pounds, some teams view him as a pure defensive end, while others want to see him get more reps at tackle. In Jacksonville, he could be a bit of both, penetrating as a pass-rusher on late downs and using his power to hold up in the run game. He had seven sacks last season. For Jacksonville, this is another step toward improving the front seven, which should see more flashes from 2022 No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker.

"Tremendous first step, able to get into the backfield before offensive linemen are able to reach him on down blocks," writes A to Z Sports' draft analyst Tyler Browning. "Projects best as a DE who can kick inside in a pinch. Can rush hand in the dirt, or standing up."

Paired with Walker, Van Ness could turn the Jaguars' defensive front into a legitimately scary unit next season.

"(He's) very young for a pass rusher, and the scary thing is that I don’t think he’s even put it all together," adds Browning. 

But when it comes to improving the 30th pass defense (per DVOA) from last season, you need more than defensive line help. That's why Kiper has the Jaguars addressing the defensive backfield in the second round:

56. CB Cam Smith, South Carolina

The Jags parted ways with Shaquill Griffin in March and they already have three solid corners in Tyson Campbell, Darious Williams, and Tre Herndon. Teams can never have too many cover corners, though. Smith played everywhere for the Gamecocks, excelling in zone coverage. At 6-1, he has the instincts to get his hands on the ball and he's a willing tackler in run support.

Smith is a Top 30 visit for the Jaguars, so the interest is clearly there. While they have experience at the position, Smith would compete for a starting role starting on Day 1.

Although this mock draft doesn't directly help Trevor Lawrence with offensive weapons, it'll likely make his life easier by raising the bar for the team's defense. This would be a nice and realistic haul for the Jags.