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While the Jacksonville Jaguars on the business side of the operation are focused on plenty outside the 2026 season, the team's football leadership has their eyes squarely focused on what's in front of them: the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Jaguars were one of the least active teams in NFL free agency this year, a departure from how the team operated a season ago. Last year's offseason, particularly during the free agency cycle, was about raising the team's floor. That meant, adding players at positions of need in starter positions.
In 2025, the Jaguars signed just under a dozen players and at least four of them, including cornerback Jourdan Lewis, safety Eric Murray, guard Patrick Mekari and center Robert Hainsey, were full-time starters since putting pen to paper until the end of their respective seasons.
Other players, including tight ends Hunter Long, Quintin Morris and Johnny Mundt, in addition to receiver Dyami Brown, among others were all thought of as major contributors at certain points in training camp and the regular/post season.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2027: Jaguars see temporary Orlando stay as key opportunity to grow fanbase
This year, however, the Jaguars went in a different direction, needing to supplement and plan for the future rather than solicit a ton of outside help.
"We wanted to take a disciplined approach. We like the team we have coming in... We got Chris Rodriguez coming in. We're really excited about what he can be in the backfield with [Bhayshul] Tuten and LeQuint [Allen]. So we'll see what the rest of the off season brings. But we're excited about the team," Jaguars executive vice president of football operations Tony Boselli said after the team's 2027-plans presentation in Orlando last week.
Here's Jacksonville NFL Draft ammo as of early April:
The Jaguars cannot afford to simply repeat last year's team and run it back. Jaguars head coach Liam Coen made an astute comment at the NFL Owner's Meetings in Arizona, explaining that the team wanted to take a closer look at what stink was masked by the team's winning ways.
"Where is The Stink that was covered up by winning and how do we improve That Stink and get better as a football team?" Coen said, via the Times-Union's Ryan O'Halloran.
Last week, we evaluated from a big-picture standpoint what the team's NFL Draft plans could look like. This week, we take a more micro approach, evaluating how important the team's first several picks are. The team is slated to pick four times in the first 100 selections — how can they maximize value?
Note: We utilized Pro Football Network's mock draft simulator to help conduct this mock.
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 260 pounds
Career stats: Played in 50 games in four years at Illinois, accounting for 183 total tackles (97 solos), 35.5 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, two pass breakups and seven forced fumbles.
Analysis: The Jaguars struggled to consistently bring down the quarterback last season, ranking 27th in the NFL with 32 sacks. Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen led the way with eight sacks, while former first-overall pick Travon Walker tallied just 3.5 sacks after battling much of the season with a surgically-repaired wrist. The team has yet to bring back either of their third team defensive ends (Dawuane Smoot and Emmanuel Ogbah) from last season.
Enter Jacas, who could immediately star in that role and allow Walker to move inside more often on obvious passing-rushing situations. Walker was signed to a four-year contract extension on April 3. This year's draft features a lot of depth at EDGE, don't pass up an opportunity.
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 202 pounds
Career stats: Played three years at Arizona (2023-25), playing in 27 games, accounting for 164 tackles (87 solos), five interceptions, 14 pass breakups and four forced fumbles.
Analysis: Jacksonville invested a third-round pick in safety Caleb Ransaw last year. However, the rookie was unable to suit up, injuring his foot early in camp. That forced the team to slide in veteran backup Andrew Wingard, who has since signed with the Arizona Cardinals.
While Jacksonville is very confident in Ransaw's abilities, the team cannot go into 2026 without a contingency plan, especially as Eric Murray and Antonio Johnson enter the final year of their respective contracts. Smith adds value due to his athleticism at the position and sharp understanding of football. If selected, the team could rest easy at the position.
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 313 pounds
Career stats: Played 25 games for the Florida Gators (2022-23) before transferring to Missouri (26 games played). Through 51 games, McClellan accounted for 133 tackles (39 solos), 17 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, four bated passes and a forced fumble.
Analysis: Jacksonville's struggles to impact the passing game along the interior has been well-documented for many years now. As defensive tackle Arik Armstead enters his 12th season in the league, the Jaguars must address the position. Former second-round pick, Maason Smith, simply has not worked out. While the team should not give up on him, a little competition never hurt anyone.
McClellan has a lot of experience and has always played at a high level since being recruited as a a four-star out of high school.
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 234 pounds
Career stats: Played in 21 games at Cal (2022-23), 26 games at TCU (2023-25). In 47 games, Elarms-Orr accounted for 276 tackles (135 solos), 19 tackles for loss, seven sacks, one interception, seven pass breakups and one forced fumble.
Analysis: The Jaguars let Devin Lloyd walk in free agency, and in return they'll look to veteran Ventrell Miller to fill his shoes — at least for now. Similar to the team's safety room, while there may be players who can fill roles, there needs to be an influx of talent in the room. Elarms-Orr brings athleticism and production-value. While he may not be ideal in passing situations yet, defensive coordinator Anthony campanile seems to be able to work miracles when needed.
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 mock targets defense early and often
Continue reading...
The Jaguars were one of the least active teams in NFL free agency this year, a departure from how the team operated a season ago. Last year's offseason, particularly during the free agency cycle, was about raising the team's floor. That meant, adding players at positions of need in starter positions.
In 2025, the Jaguars signed just under a dozen players and at least four of them, including cornerback Jourdan Lewis, safety Eric Murray, guard Patrick Mekari and center Robert Hainsey, were full-time starters since putting pen to paper until the end of their respective seasons.
Other players, including tight ends Hunter Long, Quintin Morris and Johnny Mundt, in addition to receiver Dyami Brown, among others were all thought of as major contributors at certain points in training camp and the regular/post season.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2027: Jaguars see temporary Orlando stay as key opportunity to grow fanbase
This year, however, the Jaguars went in a different direction, needing to supplement and plan for the future rather than solicit a ton of outside help.
"We wanted to take a disciplined approach. We like the team we have coming in... We got Chris Rodriguez coming in. We're really excited about what he can be in the backfield with [Bhayshul] Tuten and LeQuint [Allen]. So we'll see what the rest of the off season brings. But we're excited about the team," Jaguars executive vice president of football operations Tony Boselli said after the team's 2027-plans presentation in Orlando last week.
Jaguars 2026 NFL Draft picks
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
Jaguars keep eyes on defense in 3-round mock
The Jaguars cannot afford to simply repeat last year's team and run it back. Jaguars head coach Liam Coen made an astute comment at the NFL Owner's Meetings in Arizona, explaining that the team wanted to take a closer look at what stink was masked by the team's winning ways.
"Where is The Stink that was covered up by winning and how do we improve That Stink and get better as a football team?" Coen said, via the Times-Union's Ryan O'Halloran.
Last week, we evaluated from a big-picture standpoint what the team's NFL Draft plans could look like. This week, we take a more micro approach, evaluating how important the team's first several picks are. The team is slated to pick four times in the first 100 selections — how can they maximize value?
Note: We utilized Pro Football Network's mock draft simulator to help conduct this mock.
Round 2, Pick 56: Gabe Jacas, DE, Illinois
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Measurables: 6-foot-4, 260 pounds
Career stats: Played in 50 games in four years at Illinois, accounting for 183 total tackles (97 solos), 35.5 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, two pass breakups and seven forced fumbles.
Analysis: The Jaguars struggled to consistently bring down the quarterback last season, ranking 27th in the NFL with 32 sacks. Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen led the way with eight sacks, while former first-overall pick Travon Walker tallied just 3.5 sacks after battling much of the season with a surgically-repaired wrist. The team has yet to bring back either of their third team defensive ends (Dawuane Smoot and Emmanuel Ogbah) from last season.
Enter Jacas, who could immediately star in that role and allow Walker to move inside more often on obvious passing-rushing situations. Walker was signed to a four-year contract extension on April 3. This year's draft features a lot of depth at EDGE, don't pass up an opportunity.
Round 3, Pick 81: Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
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Measurables: 6-foot-2, 202 pounds
Career stats: Played three years at Arizona (2023-25), playing in 27 games, accounting for 164 tackles (87 solos), five interceptions, 14 pass breakups and four forced fumbles.
Analysis: Jacksonville invested a third-round pick in safety Caleb Ransaw last year. However, the rookie was unable to suit up, injuring his foot early in camp. That forced the team to slide in veteran backup Andrew Wingard, who has since signed with the Arizona Cardinals.
While Jacksonville is very confident in Ransaw's abilities, the team cannot go into 2026 without a contingency plan, especially as Eric Murray and Antonio Johnson enter the final year of their respective contracts. Smith adds value due to his athleticism at the position and sharp understanding of football. If selected, the team could rest easy at the position.
Round 3, Pick 88: Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri
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Measurables: 6-foot-4, 313 pounds
Career stats: Played 25 games for the Florida Gators (2022-23) before transferring to Missouri (26 games played). Through 51 games, McClellan accounted for 133 tackles (39 solos), 17 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, four bated passes and a forced fumble.
Analysis: Jacksonville's struggles to impact the passing game along the interior has been well-documented for many years now. As defensive tackle Arik Armstead enters his 12th season in the league, the Jaguars must address the position. Former second-round pick, Maason Smith, simply has not worked out. While the team should not give up on him, a little competition never hurt anyone.
McClellan has a lot of experience and has always played at a high level since being recruited as a a four-star out of high school.
Round 3, Pick 100: Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU
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Measurables: 6-foot-2, 234 pounds
Career stats: Played in 21 games at Cal (2022-23), 26 games at TCU (2023-25). In 47 games, Elarms-Orr accounted for 276 tackles (135 solos), 19 tackles for loss, seven sacks, one interception, seven pass breakups and one forced fumble.
Analysis: The Jaguars let Devin Lloyd walk in free agency, and in return they'll look to veteran Ventrell Miller to fill his shoes — at least for now. Similar to the team's safety room, while there may be players who can fill roles, there needs to be an influx of talent in the room. Elarms-Orr brings athleticism and production-value. While he may not be ideal in passing situations yet, defensive coordinator Anthony campanile seems to be able to work miracles when needed.
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 mock targets defense early and often
Continue reading...
