The Jaguars are advised to avoid two of Texas’ top prospects.
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Jacksonville Jaguars find themselves in a crucial position to further solidify their roster and continue building upon the success they have experienced in recent seasons. After a playoff appearance in 2024 and the development of star quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville is on the verge of becoming a perennial contender in the AFC. With that in mind, it is essential for the Jaguars to make intelligent, forward-thinking decisions as they prepare for the draft. However, recent analysis suggests that two of Texas’ top prospects—both of whom are projected to go in the early rounds—may not be the ideal fits for Jacksonville’s future. While these prospects have garnered significant attention for their physical skills and talent, they come with red flags that could limit their impact at the NFL level.
In this article, we’ll dive into the reasons why Jacksonville should proceed with caution and avoid drafting these two Texas-based prospects. By analyzing their skill sets, potential concerns, and how they might fit with the Jaguars’ needs, we’ll explain why Jacksonville might be better off looking elsewhere when it comes to addressing their draft strategy.
Prospect #1: Xavier Worthy – Wide Receiver, University of Texas
Background:
Xavier Worthy, one of Texas’ most dynamic playmakers, is widely regarded as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class. Standing at 6’1″ and weighing around 180 pounds, Worthy possesses the combination of speed and athleticism that NFL teams covet in their receiving corps. His college career has been a showcase of electric plays, punctuated by his ability to make defenders miss and stretch the field with his deep speed. Worthy has posted multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons at Texas and has consistently been one of the focal points of the Longhorns’ offense.
However, despite his obvious talent and high ceiling, there are a few significant reasons why the Jaguars should be cautious when it comes to selecting Worthy with a high pick.
Concerns for the Jaguars:
- Consistency and Focus:
While Worthy is undoubtedly a big-play threat, one of the concerns with his game has been his consistency. There have been several instances in which he has been held in check during critical games, and his ability to consistently win at the line of scrimmage against physical corners has been a question. In the NFL, where cornerbacks are faster and more skilled, it’s crucial for wide receivers to be able to adjust and perform week in and week out. Worthy’s inconsistency in college, particularly in contested-catch situations, raises questions about whether he can truly thrive at the next level.
- Route Running and Separation:
While Worthy’s speed is elite, his route-running is still a work in progress. At the college level, he has often relied on his raw athleticism to win, but against more disciplined NFL defenses, this will not be enough. The Jaguars, who are looking to complement their young quarterback Trevor Lawrence with reliable and versatile receivers, may be better off targeting a more refined and complete route runner who can create separation in a variety of ways. Worthy’s lack of polish in his routes could hinder his ability to make an immediate impact for Jacksonville.
- Fit in Jacksonville’s Offense:
The Jaguars have already established a young and talented receiving corps led by Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram at tight end. While Worthy could add depth and vertical threat potential, Jacksonville’s current offense doesn’t need a pure deep-threat receiver who struggles to be a consistent, well-rounded option. Lawrence is more than capable of making big plays downfield, but what he needs is a receiver who can create reliable, efficient separation on all levels of the field—something that Worthy hasn’t yet shown he can do.
Conclusion:
While Xavier Worthy has the physical traits that could make him a star in the NFL, his inconsistency and developmental issues as a route runner may make him a riskier pick for Jacksonville, especially in the early rounds. With the Jaguars already having a solid group of receivers, they should focus on drafting a more polished and well-rounded playmaker who can contribute immediately, rather than someone who will need time to develop.
Prospect #2: Bijan Robinson – Running Back, University of Texas
Background:
Bijan Robinson, a dynamic running back from the University of Texas, is considered one of the most complete running backs to enter the NFL Draft in years. Standing at 6’0″ and weighing around 220 pounds, Robinson possesses the size and power to be a traditional workhorse back, as well as the speed and agility to break big runs in the open field. His combination of vision, patience, and explosiveness has made him a standout at Texas, where he was frequently the centerpiece of their offense.
Robinson is expected to be a high draft pick, possibly even going in the first round. However, despite his immense talent, there are significant reasons why the Jacksonville Jaguars should avoid selecting Robinson with one of their early-round picks.
Concerns for the Jaguars:
- Position Value in Today’s NFL:
One of the most significant arguments against drafting a running back in the first round—especially a team like the Jaguars that has other pressing needs—is the devaluation of the position in today’s NFL. Running backs are rarely the centerpiece of an offense in the way they once were, with teams increasingly relying on passing attacks and committee backfields. While Robinson is an outstanding prospect, his value as a running back may not be worth the high investment, especially considering that the Jaguars have other positions that need bolstering, such as along the defensive line or in the secondary.
Additionally, teams like the Jaguars—who have a young quarterback in Trevor Lawrence—are likely better served by investing in offensive line improvements or adding more dynamic playmakers in the passing game. The Jaguars have already shown success with Travis Etienne, a highly talented back who can be a versatile weapon in both the running and passing game. With Etienne in the fold, it may be wiser for Jacksonville to focus on positions that can have a more immediate and substantial impact.
- Durability and Injury Risk:
While Robinson has been relatively healthy in college, running backs are among the most injury-prone players in the NFL, and their shelf life is typically shorter than that of players at other positions. Robinson has already taken a heavy workload in college, and although he has shown an ability to handle the physicality of the position, there’s always a concern about the toll running backs take as they transition to the professional level. The Jaguars, who have invested in a young quarterback and have aspirations to contend in the future, could face a situation where a high draft pick on a running back is not as valuable as selecting a player who can be a more reliable long-term asset.
- The Impact of Committee Backfields:
Another trend in the NFL is the shift toward committee backfields, where teams deploy multiple running backs to reduce wear and tear and keep fresh legs on the field. In Jacksonville, Etienne already represents a solid foundation in the backfield, and adding Robinson could lead to a potential logjam at the position. While Robinson is an exceptional talent, drafting him in the first round would seem like an inefficient allocation of resources for a team that already has a capable starting running back in place. Instead, Jacksonville could focus on adding depth at other positions of need or perhaps select a running back later in the draft, where the value would be better aligned with their roster-building strategy.
Conclusion:
Bijan Robinson is an outstanding running back with immense talent, but for the Jacksonville Jaguars, selecting him in the first round would likely be an inefficient use of resources, given the presence of Travis Etienne and the overall devaluation of the running back position in the modern NFL. Jacksonville is in a prime position to focus on positions that can provide a higher return on investment in the long run, such as the offensive line, wide receiver, or defensive backfield. Instead of investing in a high pick for a running back, the Jaguars would be wise to explore other avenues to improve their roster.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ Draft Strategy
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Jaguars’ focus should be on building a well-rounded team that can compete for championships in the coming years. While the allure of drafting high-profile prospects like Xavier Worthy and Bijan Robinson is tempting, Jacksonville must take a strategic approach, prioritizing positions of greater need and maximizing the value of their draft picks.
Instead of taking a chance on players who may require significant development or who play a devalued position, the Jaguars should look to reinforce their roster in areas such as the defensive line, cornerback, and wide receiver. By building a team that can support Trevor Lawrence with both playmakers and a strong defense, Jacksonville can position itself as a legitimate contender in the AFC.
The 2025 draft is a critical moment for the Jaguars, and they need to avoid the temptation of selecting high-profile names for the sake of star power. Instead, the focus should be on identifying players who fit Jacksonville’s system and will contribute to the team’s long-term success. Avoiding these two Texas-based prospects could ultimately prove to be the right decision for the Jaguars as they continue to build for the future.
