The Jacksonville Jaguars could take one more step to secure the # 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft with a loss on Sunday to the Chicago Bears, and the general manager and potential head-coaching candidates are paying close attention, said sources in the competition to ESPN.
Since the New York Jets’ overwhelming victory over the Los Angeles Rams last weekend catapulted the Jaguars into the # 1 slot machine, the jobs for GM and Jacksonville’s head coach have become much more attractive to candidates who have spoken about what an opportunity it would be to work with the projected top pick Trevor Lawrence.
The Jaguars would have an advantage over any other team hiring a general manager or head coach if they landed the # 1 pick, which – combined with their stock of 2021 design selections – would make those jobs just as attractive as any other potential vacancies. in the competition.
The Jaguars are expected to have 11 picks in April’s draft, including additional picks acquired in deals with Jalen Ramsey, Yannick Ngakoue and Ronnie Harrison. The Jaguars will also have nearly $ 100 million in salary caps, including at a time when many other teams have to cut players to get below the reduced limit.
The Jaguars (1-13) own the tiebreaker with the Jets (1-13) for best choice based on schedule. Jacksonville could make it to No. 1 pick on Sunday if they lose to Chicago and if the Jets are upset again against the Cleveland Browns. According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Jaguars have a 74.2% chance of making the best choice, with the Jets at 25.6% and the Bengals at 0.2%.
The Jaguars have been looking for a new GM since firing Dave Caldwell last month. Former Texas GM Rick Smith and ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Louis Riddick both interviewed Jacksonville last week.
Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone, who has one more season on his contract after this year, said last week that Jacksonville would try to win the last two games – even if it means he would have the chance to draft Lawrence. to miss. Jacksonville has been below Marrone 12-34 since the start of the 2018 season.
The Jaguars have lost 13 consecutive games, setting a franchise record, and yet there is a real move in town to expand the losing slip and draft Lawrence, the star quarterback at Clemson. Even Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry posted a few tweets last Sunday night, the second of which read, “This is the season and Santa smiled at Jax today.”
ESPN’s Michael DiRocco contributed to this report.