It means general manager James Gladstone and coach Liam Coen won\u2019t be on the clock until late in the second round, at No. 56.<\/p>\n
Excruciating? Not even close.<\/p>\n
Gladstone and Coen were part of a Los Angeles Rams draft in 2022 in which they had to wait until the penultimate pick of the third round (No. 104) to make their first selection.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were having a blast hanging out at the beach house,\u201d Coen recalled.<\/p>\n
Added Gladstone: \u201cWe get to cut that in half a little bit. \u2026 You\u2019re always going to stay agile. You\u2019re never bored. You\u2019re always thinking through what we might be able to do. I think that mental gymnastics certainly is an engaging element regardless of where your first pick point is.\u201d<\/p>\n
When the Jaguars do join next week\u2019s draft, they will have 11 total selections, including four in the top 100. No one would be surprised to see them package some of those picks to move up from No. 56, but they also have pressing needs at several positions.<\/p>\n
![\"Jacksonville](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Colts_Jaguars_Football_00209_6a4f9d.jpg\")
Liam Coen led the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 13-4 record in his first season as head coach in 2025. (AP file\/John Raoux)<\/p>\n
Coming off a 13-4 season that included winning the AFC South, Jacksonville lost running back Travis Etienne and linebacker Devin Lloyd in free agency. They replaced Etienne with former Washington running back Chris Rodriguez, who signed a two-year deal to compete with second-year pro Bhayshul Tuten.<\/p>\n
What is the Jaguars\u2019 biggest draft need?<\/p>\n
Defense tops Jacksonville\u2019s list. The Jaguars have a pair of former fourth-round linebackers \u2014 Ventrell Miller (2023) and Jack Kiser (2025) \u2014 who should get a chance to replace Lloyd. But fellow inside linebacker Foye Oluokun turns 31 this summer, creating the possibility the team could add two new pieces in the middle of the defense.<\/p>\n
Jacksonville also could use help at defensive tackle \u2014 someone to replace 32-year-old Arik Armstead \u2014 a safety with the potential to start in 2027 and additional pass rushers behind starters Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.<\/p>\n
On the other side of the ball, the team is looking for a backup tight end, at least one offensive lineman, a receiver to work behind Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington, and maybe a developmental quarterback since Nick Mullens is entering the final year of his contract.<\/p>\n
What don\u2019t the Jaguars need to add in the NFL Draft?<\/p>\n
The Jaguars appear to be in solid shape at cornerback despite letting veteran Greg Newsome II leave in free agency. In addition to returning starters Jourdan Lewis and Jarrian Jones, they re-signed Montaric Brown and have Hunter (knee) returning from a season-ending injury and preparing to play primarily on defense.<\/p>\n
Jaguars follow Rams\u2019 blueprint for draft preparation<\/p>\n
Gladstone and Coen skipped the scouting combine in Indianapolis and didn\u2019t plan to use any of their top-30 visits for the second consecutive year. Following the blueprint the Rams created several years ago, the Jaguars also do some remote video conferencing with prospects and send representatives to scouting events. But not much else.<\/p>\n
The reason: they want to limit as much bias as possible. Let guys\u2019 college tape do most, if not all, of the talking.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal would be to minimize it or limit it as best we can in the controllable ways,\u201d Gladstone said. \u201cAcknowledging it is a big part.\u201d<\/p>\n
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