JACKSONVILLE – Defense is the early thought, and it's a really early thought.

This is the first jaguars.com 2025 mock draft tracker – and with the Jaguars searching for a new head coach, analysts early in the pre-draft process are focusing on defense for the franchise early in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

The top 18 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft order were set following the conclusion of the regular season, with the remaining slots dependent on the upcoming postseason. The Jacksonville Jaguars hold the fifth overall selection.

With that, let the projections begin. The focus is up front and at corner, with University of Michigan cornerback Will Johnson the most popular selection for the Jaguars at No. 5 overall in this first '25 tracker.

"The Jaguars have to get more talent into the secondary," Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports wrote. "Johnson checks the boxes for a lockdown No. 1 cornerback."

Johnson was the selection of seven of 17 analysts in this first '25 tracker.

"At 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, he's a big corner who has drawn some comparisons to Broncos Pro Bowler Pat Surtain II," ESPN analyst Jordan Reid wrote, with Kyle Crabbs of 33rd team writing,""The Jaguars do have a need at the second cornerback spot, making this a proper marriage of best player available and need."

Jacob Infante of Pro Football wrote: "He has the length and physicality to thrive along the perimeter, and his fluidity and route-recognition abilities allow him to mirror receivers well in coverage."

Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham also was a popular projection at No. 5, with six analysts projecting him to the Jaguars there.

"Graham is a stud run defender and a twitchy interior pass-rusher; this is a "best player available" type of pick," Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus wrote, with Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports writing: "Graham is a special talent who headlines a deep defensive line class."

Others projected to the Jaguars at No. 5 overall:

• Penn State edge defender Abdul Carter
• Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan
• Georgia safety Malaki Starks
• Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter

Here's the first jaguars.com 2025 mock draft tracker:

Mocker, Affiliation: Player, Position, School

JANUARY 13TH:

• Vinny Iyer, Sporting News: Will Campbell, OT, Louisiana State

JANUARY 12TH:

• Mike Renner, CBS Sports: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

JANUARY 11TH:

• Jacob Infante, Pro Football Network: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

JANUARY 9TH:

• Josh Edwards, CBS Sports: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

JANUARY 8TH:

• Reese Decker, Pro Football Network: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
• Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

JANUARY 7TH:

• Danny Kelly, The Ringer: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
• Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
• Jordan Reid, ESPN: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

JANUARY 6TH:

• Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
• Kyle Crabbs, 33rd Team: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

JANUARY 5TH:

• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
• Daniel Harris, The Draft Network: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
• Rob Rang, FOX Sports: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

JANUARY 4TH:

• Sterling Xie, Pro Football Network: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

JANUARY 2ND:

• Josh Edwards, CBS Sports: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

JANUARY 1ST:

• Ian Valentino, 33rd Team: Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado