Jaguars Round 7 NFL Draft Recap: Team addresses the trenches
As Jacksonville Jaguars GM Trent Baalke said on Friday night: "You gotta make the picks if you can't trade them." The team put an end to the 2023 NFL Draft class made up of a total of 12 draft picks by making three selections in the seventh round. This time, they had a theme in mind: […]
As Jacksonville Jaguars GM Trent Baalke said on Friday night: "You gotta make the picks if you can't trade them."
The team put an end to the 2023 NFL Draft class made up of a total of 12 draft picks by making three selections in the seventh round. This time, they had a theme in mind: Adding even more talent to the trenches.
Below is a look at who they picked.
- Round 7, No. 226 overall: OT Cooper Hodges, Appalachian State
- Round 7, No. 227 overall: DT Raymond Vohasek, North Carolina
- Round 7, No. 240 overall: DL/RB Derek Parish, Houston
Hodges played right tackle for Appalachian State but is looked at as a guard by many NFL evaluators and media members including The Athletic's draft analyst Dane Brugler.
"Overall, Hodges is a college tackle with a potential NFL future inside at guard because of his physical hands, play strength, and football IQ," writes Brugler in his draft guide.
Hodges will compete for a roster spot in a Jaguars' OL room that might be getting too crowded.
One pick later, the Jaguars selected defensive tackle Raymond Vohasek out of North Carolina. He'll be a nose tackle that could earn a role situationally for the Jags.
Last but not least, the Jaguars selected Derek Parish out of Houston at No. 240 overall. Parish's position is something interesting as you might've noticed when following on TV. He's a DL/RB out of college. He had five sacks in four games in 2022 and could earn a role on special teams thanks to his freakish athleticism.
Being seventh-rounders means these three will enter the NFL as underdogs. The fact that Jacksonville made so many Day 3 draft picks could mean they're all facing an uphill battle. It'll be very intriguing to see how things play out.
