As the NFL offseason transitions into the dead zone, it felt like the right time to revisit Jacksonville’s recent draft history. The general rule of thumb around the league is that a draft class should be given at least three years to be fairly evaluated. With several Trent Baalke selections now approaching contract extension territory, that window has arrived. Baalke’s 2021 to 2024 tenure in Jacksonville draws mixed reviews from the fanbase, but credit where it’s due, there are day two and day three picks
worth acknowledging.
So which one stands above the rest?
Brenton Strange | TE | 2023 | Round 2, Pick 61
The Case For: Strange was one of the safer selections of the Baalke era, a polished, pro-ready tight end out of Penn State who stepped into a developmental role, behind Evan Engram, when selected. While much of the fanbase had, what seemed to be, a lukewarm response to the selection at the time, Strange’s on-field production has caused much of the fanbase to reconsider those early opinions. He has been a reliable chess piece in Jacksonville’s offense, offering dependable hands and the kind of route running that makes him a consistent option in the intermediate passing game. For a second-round pick, the floor he has provided, as both a blocker and reciever, is exactly what teams want from that draft range.
The Case Against: Safe is the operative word. Strange has garnered a league-wide perception as a dominant blocker, while still awaiting that next stage of elevation beyond the role of stable and reliable in the receiving area. For a second-round investment at tight end, a position Jacksonville has continued to address in 2026, the ceiling he has shown still leaves room to question what the final product will be: average, above average, or elite?
Parker Washington | WR | 2023 | Round 6, Pick 185
The Case For: On pure value alone, this one is nearly impossible to beat. Washington was a sixth-round pick on a sub-$4 million rookie deal who turned himself into Jacksonville’s most reliable offensive weapon by the back half of 2025. Fifty-eight receptions, 847 yards, five touchdowns, and a Wild Card performance that announced him to the national audience, all on a contract that barely registers against the cap. When you add in his special team’s prowess as a punt returner, the return on investment is extraordinary.
The Case Against: The sample size is still remarkably small, and Washington’s breakout came largely on the back of opportunity created by injuries. Questions remain about whether he can sustain that production in a healthy, crowded, 2026 receiver room. A sixth-round hit is extremely valuable, and without question, Washington’s name, would likely be near the top of this exercise.
Jarrian Jones | CB | 2024 | Round 3, Pick 96
The Case For: Jones was drafted on day two as a long, rangy cornerback out of FSU, with the athleticism to match up with the NFL’s best receivers. While continuing to grow his resume, Jones has clearly shown the traits and ball production to be named as a top slot cornerback in the NFL entering year three. When he wins, he wins convincingly, with the length and closing speed to disrupt throws down the field.
The Case Against: Consistency has been the hurdle. Jones has flashed the tools that easily made his third-round selection a hit. But translating that athleticism into reliable, down-to-down production, as both an inside and outside cornerback has proven elusive. Jones has proven himself a major commodity for this Jacksonville secondary, but is still very much in the process of proving his ceiling as an inside/outside threat heading into year three.
Cam Little | K | 2024 | Round 6, Pick 212
The Case For: Finding a legitimate NFL kicker in the sixth round feels pretty rare, and Little has been exactly that. Accurate, composed under pressure, consistent, and most importantly a weapon. Little has quietly become one of the more widely-known specialists in the AFC, if not the NFL, after setting the NFL record for the longest field goal made in a game. At his draft cost, that kind of reliability and leg strength at a position that can swing games is an undeniable win.
The Case Against: He’s a kicker. The positional value ceiling limits this conversation regardless of how well he has performed. Winning the best non-first round Baalke pick argument with a sixth-round specialist, however reliable, is a tough sell when the discussion involves players at premium positions.
Montaric Brown | CB | 2022 | Round 7, Pick 222
The Case For: Brown has quietly carved out a legitimate roster role in Jacksonville’s secondary across multiple seasons. A seventh-round cornerback who has stuck, contributed, and eventually developed. That kind of longevity from that draft range is not something to overlook, and his physicality at the line of scrimmage, matched with his ball skills has given Jacksonville’s defensive staff a stable cornerback room for the first time since maybe 2018? (AJ Bouye/Jalen Ramsey)
The Case Against: What Brown does well is clear on the tape. Physical at the press alignment, consistent tackler, and great at playing the ball in the air. However, man to man coverage and running with faster receivers in off coverage on those high variance plays are what could truly separate Brown from a good, quality cornerback to a true standout at his position. He has been a reliable depth piece and a solid special teams contributor, but the argument that he is Jacksonville’s best non-first round Baalke selection may be tough.
Antonio Johnson | S | 2023 | Round 5, Pick 160
The Case For: Johnson, similar to Brown, has been one of the bigger developmental surprises in this Jacksonville secondary. A rangy, high-motor safety with the versatility to play both deep and in the box. His athletic profile drew initial questions when selected, but from the moment he arrived, he has shown consistent flashes as a box safety and consistent tackler. On 2025, he took an opportunity at the safety role and ran away with it to end the season with five interceptions, while also ranking as a top five safety per Pro Football Focus. At a fifth-round value, the upside he represents in 2026 is exactly why he’s in conversation for a possible contract extension, despite there being extensive competition in the room.
The Case Against: Upside and production are two different conversations, and Johnson has yet to fully put it all together for a full season at the NFL level. The tools are evident, and the flash is there, but translating them into consistent, impact-level play on a week-to-week basis remains the next step in his development. A fifth-round safety who has yet to fully arrive as a difference-maker is a harder sell in a best-pick conversation that includes a receiver and a kicker who already has.
Honorable Mentions
- CB Tyson Campbell (2022, Rd 2, pick 33)
- OL Walker Little (2022, Rd 2, pick 45)
- S Andre Cisco (2022, Rd 3, pick 65)
- RB Tank Bigsby (2023, Rd 3, pick 88)
Being fair to Baalke, when only evaluating four draft classes, you’re probably not going to find double digit hits within four draft classes and be out of a job.
The Verdict
The honest answer is probably a close competition between Parker Washington and Monaric Brown, for me. The production Washington delivered in 2025, at the cost he was acquired for, represents the kind of draft value that front offices spend years chasing, at a premium position. Strange is a reasonable argument on the merits of his play, but as a second round value, it becomes a harder comparison. Jones still has time to make his case. But Parker turned a sixth-round flier into a contract year, league-wide conversation.
The Top 5
- 1) WR Parker Washington
- 2) CB Montaric Brown
- 3) TE Brenton Strange
- 4) K Cam Little
- 5) CB Jarrian Jones
For a general manager who valued value above all, Parker Washington was truly the manifestation of that. When discussing positional value, contract paid over the duration of the rookie deal, on-field performance, and the pick used to aquire the player, that’s the best non-first round pick Trent Baalke has made in Jacksonville. P-Dub.
Who’s yours, Duval?
