Jaguars mock draft: Projecting every Jacksonville pick ahead of Combine

[ASFN Admin]

As the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine gets underway, the Jacksonville Jaguars are continuing their deep-dive evaluations of the next generation of NFL Draft prospects.

Last year, the Jaguars took a big leap in the first round of the draft, trading up from the fifth-overall pick to the second-overall selection to draft cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter. The deal sent the team's 2026 first-round pick and multiple 2025 NFL Draft selections to Cleveland.


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As a result, the Jaguars have 11 draft selections this year, including four in the top 100 picks. Multiple selections were acquired via trades made before and during the 2025 season.

While the team knows where they'll be picking with some of their own selections, the remaining picks are to be determined as the NFL hands out compensatory picks, awarded to teams following the 2025 free agency period. Therefore, not all selections will include a pick number until that is determined.

Here are the team's draft selections as of Feb. 26:

• 2nd Rd (JAX, pick No. 56)
• 3rd Rd (via DET, pick No. 81)
• 3rd Rd (JAX, pick No. 88)
• 3rd Rd (via DET pick No. 100*)
• 4th Rd (JAX)
• 5th Rd (JAX)
• 5th Rd (Through PHI)
• 6th Rd (via PHI through HST)
• 7th Rd (JAX)
• 7th Rd (via LA Rams through HST)
• 7th Rd (DET)

Jacksonville utilized multiple players from the 2025 NFL Draft who made an impact during the season, including running backs Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen. The team also got snaps from offensive linemen Wyatt Milum and Jonah Monheim, along with special teamer/safety Rayuan Lane III.

Due to a knee injury, Hunter played just seven games. In contrast, third-round pick, safety Caleb Ransaw and sixth-round pick, outside linebacker Jalen McLeod did not play due to injuries.

Who will Jaguars draft with their first pick?​

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The Jaguars will make their first selection with pick No. 56 in the 2026 NFL Draft.

While the team will miss out on the majority of top-end talent this year (barring a trade-up), they'll still have their pick of many talented prospects.

Here are a few who could make sense for Jacksonville at pick No. 56:

• CB Chris Johnson, 6-foot, 185 pounds, San Diego State — Johnson boasts an ideal frame to fit into defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's zone-heavy coverage scheme. Johnson played four years at SDS and totaled 105 solo tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, six interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 14 pass breakups (nine as a senior) and five forced fumbles through 47 games played.
• EDGE Zion Young, 6-foot-5, 262 pounds, Missouri — Young played two years at Michigan State before transferring to Missouri ahead of the 2024 season. In 46 games played across his career, Young accounted for 50 solo tackles, 11.5 sacks, 28.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He posted 16.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2025.
• DL Christen Miller, 6-foot-4, 305 pounds, Georgia — Miller played 43 games at Georgia, including 26 over the last two years combined. In four years, Miller accounted for 11.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and 31 solo tackles.
• LB Deontae Lawson, 6-foot-3, 226 pounds, Alabama — 52 games played, 283 total tackles (140 solo tackles), 6.5 sacks, one interception, 16 pass breakups.

Jaguars 2026 mock draft includes emphasis on defense​

The Jaguars need to reload at multiple positions, even after an impressive first season under defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile.

The Jaguars dealt with multiple injuries defensively in 2025 which showcased the team's depth, but also put a spotlight on certain deficiencies. The team will also likely lose linebacker Devin Lloyd via free agency in March. If they do, inside linebacker becomes a major priority.

Jacksonville also needs help in the secondary, with both Montaric Brown and Greg Newsome II expected to hit free agency. Starting safety Andrew Wingard is also set to hit free agency. While the team is counting on Ransaw to rebound in 2026, adding depth at the position is expected.

The Jaguars found diamonds in the rough with undrafted defensive ends BJ Green and Danny Striggow, who played significant roles on down the stretch of the season. Still, the team requires depth at the position after missing on DE Emmanuel Ogbah, who is set to be a free agent.

Round 3, Pick 81: Darrell Jackson Jr., DL, Florida State​

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Measurables: 6-foot-5, 328 pounds

Career stats: Played for three schools, including Maryland (2021), Miami (2022) and Florida State (2023-25) in five years. Totalled 80 tackles (29 solos), 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks through 25 games played for the Seminoles, including 24 games over the last two seasons.

Round 3, Pick 88: Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE, Penn State​

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Measurables: 6-foot-5, 268 pounds

Career stats: Played in 55 games at Penn State in four years, accounting for 127 total tackles (78 solos), 34.5 tackles for loss, 23.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles and two interceptions.

Round 3: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri​

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Measurables: 6-foot-2, 240 pounds

Career stats: Played one year at West Virginia (2024) before transferring to Missouri in 2025 within D1 football. In 24 games, Trotter totaled 176 total tackles (79 solos), 17 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one interception.

Round 4: Beau Stephens, OL, Iowa​

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Measurables: 6-foot-5, 310 pounds

Career stats: Allowed just four sacks in five years (2021-25) at Iowa, according to Pro Football Focus. In 2025, Stephens graded out with a 92.5 pass-blocking grade, allowing just four total pressures in 279 pass-blocking sets.

Round 5: Robert Spears-Jennings, S, Oklahoma​

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Measurables: 6-foot-1, 211 pounds

Career stats: Played in 47 games at Oklahoma, totalling 178 total tackles (102 solos), eight tackles for loss, four pass breakups, 2.5 sacks, four turnovers and two interceptions.

Round 5: Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State​

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Measurables: 6-foot, 221 pounds

Career stats: Played in 53 games for Penn State, totalling 3,461 yards and 45 touchdowns in the ground, adding 102 catches for 987 yards and nine receiving touchdowns.

Round 6: Eric McAlister, WR, TCU​

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Measurables: 6-foot-3, 193 pounds

Career stats: Played two years at Boise State before transferring to TCU ahead of the 2024 season. McAlister totalled 169 catches for 3,084 yards and 24 touchdowns in his career. In 2025, McAlister caught 72 passes for 1,190 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Round 7: Romello Brinson, WR, SMU​

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Measurables: 6-foot-2, 190 pounds

Career stats: Played two seasons at Miami before transferring to SMU ahead of the 2023 season. Brinson caught 98 passes for 1,393 yards and six touchdowns through 52 games played. In 32 games played for SMU, Brinson caught 84 passes for 1,204 yards and five touchdowns, including 43 catches for 638 yards and three touchdowns in 2025.

Round 7: Riley Nowakowski, TE, Indiana​

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Measurables: 6-foot-2, 239 pounds

Career stats: After five years through various position changes at Wisconsin, Nowakowski totaled 32 catches for 387 yards and two touchdowns for Indiana in 2025. In his career, the tight end hybrid caught 50 passes for 518 yards and three touchdowns.

Round 7: Bauer Sharp, TE, LSU​

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Measurables: 6-foot-4, 251 pounds

Career stats: Sharp played two years of D1 football, catching 66 passes for 576 yards and four touchdowns between a year at Oklahoma and one year at LSU.

When is the 2026 NFL Draft?​

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place Thursday, April 23, through Saturday, April 25.

The first round takes place Thursday, April 23, with the second and third rounds beginning on Friday, April 24. The remainder of the draft concludes on Saturday, April 25.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars mock drafT: Jacksonville lands haul in pre-combine projections

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