The Jaguars Need to Start Thinking About the NFL Draft
The NFL Draft can turn a franchise from a generational loser to a future winner with just one selection. If any franchise knows this well, it’s the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team had back-to-back first overall selections in 2021 and 2022, selecting their franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence and an elite defensive lineman in Travon Walker. The Jaguars made another splash in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting star wide receiver Brian Thomas out of LSU. In 2025, the Jaguars made a blockbuster draft day trade with the Cleveland Browns to select two-way athlete Travis Hunter with the second overall pick. The young core of this Jacksonville team has been built through the draft, not to mention the plethora of later-round selections that have made an impact, like running back Bhayshul Tuten and wide receiver Parker Washington. 2026 will be the second draft under general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen, and it will be crucial to continue building the team in the right direction.
The one caveat the Jaguars face in this year’s draft is that they own zero first-round selections. Jacksonville traded its first-round pick this year in last year’s trade to select Hunter. With that being said, the team still has numerous draft opportunities in the second, third, and fourth rounds where they can hit on some talent. For a team that needs depth, the Jaguars need to do some research on drafting some offensive linemen to help protect Lawrence, who still seems to struggle under pressure this late into his career. Drafting a wide receiver could help with the core and add some depth to a room that struggled with injuries in 2025. Jacksonville might have to look into drafting a linebacker as well, especially if they fail to re-sign Devin Lloyd, who is entering free agency with a big market around him. Obviously, the Jaguars also have free agency to work with when building their roster, but the draft can help ease the costs of contracts, especially if they draft correctly.
Before the draft even begins, the Jaguars are already getting unlucky. The team will receive no additional draft picks for compensatory free agents, since they signed more than they lost last offseason. Overall, the team has 11 draft picks throughout the draft, including having four in the top 100 picks despite none in the first round. The Jaguars have a chance to draft immediate contributors to both sides of the ball and effectively continue to build their future foundation while reinforcing the current team. Gladstone will have a lot on his plate in his second year as the general manager, but after a successful first season, there is no doubt that he can succeed again.
