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The first step for the Jacksonville Jaguars to realize their full potential begins in less than a week during the 2026 NFL Draft.
After a 13-4 season, earning the title of AFC South champions for the third time in team history, Jacksonville hopes its success can continue into the 2026 season.
Under general manager James Gladstone, head coach Liam Coen and executive vice president of football Tony Boselli, the team's standards have shifted, and the expectations have risen dramatically.
One major element of that is the growth of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence, the first-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, appeared to find a groove under Coen during the final 10 weeks of the season in 2025.
WAITING? BEEN THERE, DONE THAT: Jaguars' James Gladstone, Liam Coen used to waiting in NFL draft
Lawrence finished the year after completing 60.9% of his passes for 4,007 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He added nine touchdowns on the ground.
The Jaguars posted a 9-1 record in their final 10 games of the season. In that span, Lawrence completed 62.8% of his passes for 2,387 yards, 20 passing touchdowns, seven interceptions and seven rushing scores.
Now, the team must build on that success. Last year, the Jaguars went for a big fish in selecting cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter following a trade up in the Top 5 of the NFL Draft.
The team saw contributions from multiple picks, including seventh-round selection, running back LeQuint Allen to go along with multiple earlier picks including, S/special teamer Rayuan Lane III, RB Bhayshul Tuten and center Jonah Monheim.
Hunter, third-round pick DB Caleb Ransaw, third rounder OL Wyatt Milum and sixth-round pick LB Jalen McLeod dealt with injuries that either cut their season short or completely.
So, what's next for Jacksonville? We take a look at everything you need to know ahead of the three-day event.
Here's Jacksonville NFL Draft ammo as of early April:
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place between April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
Jacksonville does not have a first-round pick in this year's draft. The team offloaded the selection last year in a trade with the Cleveland Browns to help facilitate their trade up to the second-overall pick to select Hunter.
Hunter played on both sides of the ball last season before sustaining a season-ending knee injury that required surgery. Hunter is expected to be limited during Organized Team Activities next month, but should be a full-go for training camp in July, Gladstone said at the team's Draft luncheon in April.
The Jaguars may not be picking on Thursday of the Draft, but the team's leadership isn't concerned with it. Both Coen and Galdstone have been in this position before with the Los Angeles Rams. They've experienced worse, actually, if one wants to phrase it that way.
GOOD NEWS: Jaguars discuss Travis Hunter recovery, NFL draft needs at luncheon
In 2022, when Coen and Gladstone were with L.A., the team did not make a selection until late in the third round, starting with pick No. 104. So, it won't be that much of a bore for the team's top brass during the three-day affair.
"We get to cut that in half a little bit. ... You’re always going to stay agile. You're never bored. You're always thinking through what we might be able to do," Gladstone said. "I think that mental gymnastics certainly is an engaging element regardless of where your first pick point is."
We could see Jacksonville trade up into the first round, but that appears unlikely as of today.
Since Jacksonville does not have a first round pick and will be selecting on Friday for Rounds two and three on Friday, April 24, we took a look at the team's last 10 second-round picks:
Jacksonville has had a long history of successful second-round picks. That includes players such as Strange, Lloyd, Little, Robinson and Jack to name some in recent history. But, the team's second round success goes back decades.
It was then when Jacksonville landed several players who could be considered some of the best Jaguars in franchise history, let along second round picks.
Some historical second-round selections the Jaguars have made include WR Allen Robinson (2014), RB Maurice Jones Drew (2006), LB Daryl Smith (2004), CB Rashean Mathis (2003), C Brad Meester (2000) and DE Tony Brackens (1996).
But, two players stand alone, at least according to Pro Football Reference. The democratization of sports data website grades players by Approximate Value, which is a method to put a single number on the seasonal value of a player at any position from any year.
To judge a player's career, the website uses Weighted Career AV, which balances peak production against raw career totals. AV gives weight to number of seasons started, number of Pro Bowls and other accolades.
For Jacksonville, their top two second-round picks of all time are Jones-Drew and Meester. Both players have a wAV of 74, ranking third and fourth all-time among drafted players for Jacksonville. For reference, the team's top player is RB Fred Taylor, who played for Jacksonville from 1998 to 2008.
Both Jones-Drew and Meester are worthy. From 2006-13, Jones-Drew proved to be one of the most dynamic players in Jaguars history, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt in his Jaguars career, including 8071 rushing yards and 68 touchdowns. He caught 335 passes for 2,873 yards and 11 scores.
Meester is the team's record holder for most games played in a Jaguars uniform with 209, proving to be one of the league's toughest iron men, starting for three different coaching staffs in Jacksonville in his career.
Both Coen and Gladstone shared their thoughts on the upcoming NFL Draft and the team's goals throughout the three-day event. While the duo was guarded, as teams often are this time of year, they still gave a couple of quotes that could pique the fans' interest.
Coen on the team's process this year compared to last:
"A little less frantic I guess you could call it in terms of how fast everything happened last year, getting not just scouting staff onboarded, but the coaches then onboarded to new procedures and modes of operation. I think some of the familiarity has helped the flow in the way that we operate on a day-to-day basis, the schedule, the routine, what the coaches expect. That's been very clear and concise throughout the process. I think it's just allowed us to maybe get to different or deeper dialogue maybe a little bit quicker on some of the guys that we're really honing in on."
Gladstone on better understanding the team's roster in 2026:
"That's the most helpful piece, being able to accelerate a lot of the conversations where at this point in time last year we were in true discovery mode. We were learning on the fly. Now we get to leverage all the information and experiences we've had with everybody on our football team up to this point as part of our decision making. It allows those conversations, like Liam said, to be a bit deeper, get a little bit further into it in a more efficient manner."
The Jaguars will head into this month's draft with numerous paths to take without nearly as large of a pool of players to choose from Jacksonville had been accustomed to.
After the team's quiet free agency period and extensions given to starting defenders, CB Montaric Brown and DE Travon Walker, a lot of the team's pressing needs are more clear. Still, that doesn't mean that Jacksonville's potential pick can't result in doubling up on position groups that are strong already on the team.
Let's take a look at five players who would make sense for Jacksonville to select with their slated first pick in this month's Draft:
Analysis: Jacksonville's needs are apparent at defensive tackle and linebacker, while EDGE No. 3, running back and safety are positions the team will need to figure out ahead, during and after this season. Acquiring talent a year ahead, especially in this year's draft, will be of the utmost importance.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky at Demetrius.
If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, please consider subscribing to support local journalism in Northeast Florida.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars 2026 NFL Draft guide: No first-round pick
Continue reading...
After a 13-4 season, earning the title of AFC South champions for the third time in team history, Jacksonville hopes its success can continue into the 2026 season.
Under general manager James Gladstone, head coach Liam Coen and executive vice president of football Tony Boselli, the team's standards have shifted, and the expectations have risen dramatically.
One major element of that is the growth of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence, the first-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, appeared to find a groove under Coen during the final 10 weeks of the season in 2025.
WAITING? BEEN THERE, DONE THAT: Jaguars' James Gladstone, Liam Coen used to waiting in NFL draft
Lawrence finished the year after completing 60.9% of his passes for 4,007 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He added nine touchdowns on the ground.
The Jaguars posted a 9-1 record in their final 10 games of the season. In that span, Lawrence completed 62.8% of his passes for 2,387 yards, 20 passing touchdowns, seven interceptions and seven rushing scores.
Now, the team must build on that success. Last year, the Jaguars went for a big fish in selecting cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter following a trade up in the Top 5 of the NFL Draft.
The team saw contributions from multiple picks, including seventh-round selection, running back LeQuint Allen to go along with multiple earlier picks including, S/special teamer Rayuan Lane III, RB Bhayshul Tuten and center Jonah Monheim.
Hunter, third-round pick DB Caleb Ransaw, third rounder OL Wyatt Milum and sixth-round pick LB Jalen McLeod dealt with injuries that either cut their season short or completely.
So, what's next for Jacksonville? We take a look at everything you need to know ahead of the three-day event.
Where are Jaguars slated to pick in 2026 NFL Draft?
Here's Jacksonville NFL Draft ammo as of early April:
- Round 2, Pick 56
- Round 3, Pick 81 via Detroit Lions
- Round 3, Pick 88
- Round 3, Pick 100 via Detroit Lions (special compensatory selection)
- Round 4, Pick 124
- Round 5, Pick 164
- Round 5, Pick 166 via San Francisco 49ers through Philadelphia Eagles
- Round 6, Pick 203 via Philadelphia Eagles through Houston Texans and Eagles
- Round 7, Pick 233 via Detroit Lions
- Round 7, Pick 240
- Round 7, Pick 245 via Los Angeles Rams through Houston Texans
When and where is the 2026 NFL Draft?
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The 2026 NFL Draft will take place between April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
- Thursday, April 23: Round 1
- Friday, April 24: Rounds 2-3
- Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7
Jaguars enter 2026 NFL Draft without first round pick
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Jacksonville does not have a first-round pick in this year's draft. The team offloaded the selection last year in a trade with the Cleveland Browns to help facilitate their trade up to the second-overall pick to select Hunter.
Hunter played on both sides of the ball last season before sustaining a season-ending knee injury that required surgery. Hunter is expected to be limited during Organized Team Activities next month, but should be a full-go for training camp in July, Gladstone said at the team's Draft luncheon in April.
The Jaguars may not be picking on Thursday of the Draft, but the team's leadership isn't concerned with it. Both Coen and Galdstone have been in this position before with the Los Angeles Rams. They've experienced worse, actually, if one wants to phrase it that way.
GOOD NEWS: Jaguars discuss Travis Hunter recovery, NFL draft needs at luncheon
In 2022, when Coen and Gladstone were with L.A., the team did not make a selection until late in the third round, starting with pick No. 104. So, it won't be that much of a bore for the team's top brass during the three-day affair.
"We get to cut that in half a little bit. ... You’re always going to stay agile. You're never bored. You're always thinking through what we might be able to do," Gladstone said. "I think that mental gymnastics certainly is an engaging element regardless of where your first pick point is."
We could see Jacksonville trade up into the first round, but that appears unlikely as of today.
Last 10 Jaguars second-round picks
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Since Jacksonville does not have a first round pick and will be selecting on Friday for Rounds two and three on Friday, April 24, we took a look at the team's last 10 second-round picks:
- 2025: None (Hunter trade)
- 2024: DT Maason Smith, Pick No. 48 overall
- 2023: TE Brenton Strange, Pick No. 61
- 2022: None (Traded up to Pick No. 27 in Round 1 to select LB Devin Lloyd)
- 2021: CB Tyson Campbell, Pick No. 33 and OT Walker Little, Pick No. 45
- 2020: WR Laviska Shenault, Pick No. 42
- 2019: OT Jawaan Taylor, Pick No. 35
- 2018: WR DJ Chark, Pick No. 61
- 2017: OT Cam Robinson, Pick No. 34
- 2016: LB Myles Jack, Pick No. 36
Who was the best second-round pick in Jaguars history?
Jacksonville has had a long history of successful second-round picks. That includes players such as Strange, Lloyd, Little, Robinson and Jack to name some in recent history. But, the team's second round success goes back decades.
It was then when Jacksonville landed several players who could be considered some of the best Jaguars in franchise history, let along second round picks.
Some historical second-round selections the Jaguars have made include WR Allen Robinson (2014), RB Maurice Jones Drew (2006), LB Daryl Smith (2004), CB Rashean Mathis (2003), C Brad Meester (2000) and DE Tony Brackens (1996).
You must be registered for see images attach
But, two players stand alone, at least according to Pro Football Reference. The democratization of sports data website grades players by Approximate Value, which is a method to put a single number on the seasonal value of a player at any position from any year.
To judge a player's career, the website uses Weighted Career AV, which balances peak production against raw career totals. AV gives weight to number of seasons started, number of Pro Bowls and other accolades.
For Jacksonville, their top two second-round picks of all time are Jones-Drew and Meester. Both players have a wAV of 74, ranking third and fourth all-time among drafted players for Jacksonville. For reference, the team's top player is RB Fred Taylor, who played for Jacksonville from 1998 to 2008.
Both Jones-Drew and Meester are worthy. From 2006-13, Jones-Drew proved to be one of the most dynamic players in Jaguars history, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt in his Jaguars career, including 8071 rushing yards and 68 touchdowns. He caught 335 passes for 2,873 yards and 11 scores.
Meester is the team's record holder for most games played in a Jaguars uniform with 209, proving to be one of the league's toughest iron men, starting for three different coaching staffs in Jacksonville in his career.
What they said: Liam Coen, James Gladstone talk 2026 NFL Draft
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Both Coen and Gladstone shared their thoughts on the upcoming NFL Draft and the team's goals throughout the three-day event. While the duo was guarded, as teams often are this time of year, they still gave a couple of quotes that could pique the fans' interest.
Coen on the team's process this year compared to last:
"A little less frantic I guess you could call it in terms of how fast everything happened last year, getting not just scouting staff onboarded, but the coaches then onboarded to new procedures and modes of operation. I think some of the familiarity has helped the flow in the way that we operate on a day-to-day basis, the schedule, the routine, what the coaches expect. That's been very clear and concise throughout the process. I think it's just allowed us to maybe get to different or deeper dialogue maybe a little bit quicker on some of the guys that we're really honing in on."
Gladstone on better understanding the team's roster in 2026:
"That's the most helpful piece, being able to accelerate a lot of the conversations where at this point in time last year we were in true discovery mode. We were learning on the fly. Now we get to leverage all the information and experiences we've had with everybody on our football team up to this point as part of our decision making. It allows those conversations, like Liam said, to be a bit deeper, get a little bit further into it in a more efficient manner."
Who are the Jaguars' options at pick No. 56?
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The Jaguars will head into this month's draft with numerous paths to take without nearly as large of a pool of players to choose from Jacksonville had been accustomed to.
After the team's quiet free agency period and extensions given to starting defenders, CB Montaric Brown and DE Travon Walker, a lot of the team's pressing needs are more clear. Still, that doesn't mean that Jacksonville's potential pick can't result in doubling up on position groups that are strong already on the team.
Let's take a look at five players who would make sense for Jacksonville to select with their slated first pick in this month's Draft:
- Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
- Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
- Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
- Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
- A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
Analysis: Jacksonville's needs are apparent at defensive tackle and linebacker, while EDGE No. 3, running back and safety are positions the team will need to figure out ahead, during and after this season. Acquiring talent a year ahead, especially in this year's draft, will be of the utmost importance.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky at Demetrius.
If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, please consider subscribing to support local journalism in Northeast Florida.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars 2026 NFL Draft guide: No first-round pick
Continue reading...
