{"id":247677,"date":"2026-04-26T22:53:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T22:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/247677\/"},"modified":"2026-04-26T22:53:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T22:53:11","slug":"grading-every-jaguars-2026-draft-pick-with-1-bold-prediction-for-each","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/247677\/","title":{"rendered":"Grading every Jaguars 2026 draft pick (with 1 bold prediction for each)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Jacksonville Jaguars entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear vision. Aside from getting tougher in the trenches<\/a> \u2014 not that they weren’t last year \u2014 they wanted to raise the roster’s ceiling. And based on the picks they made, they pulled it off, at least on paper.<\/p>\n

Instead of forcing a need, the Jags went the “Best Available Player” route at No. 56 when they drafted Nate Boerkircher. General manager James Gladstone stuck to that approach the rest of the way. <\/p>\n

Whether the strategy pays off, it remains to be seen, but Gladstone certainly has the NFL’s attention<\/a>. For the time being, here’s an immediate grade and a bold prediction for each of the 10 players Jacksonville drafted in 2026. <\/p>\n

Round 2, pick No. 56: Nate Boerkicher, Jaguars tight end<\/p>\n

This is the pick that’s generated the most scrutiny<\/a>, and understandably so. Nate Boerkircher was a fine player, but the Jags took him way before he was expected. Couple that with the fact that he has minimal draft production, and James Gladstone is getting lots of flak for it.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, Jacksonville drafted Boerkircher because they want him to be heavily involved as a pass-catcher and a run blocker. Moreover, he offers insurance in case the worst-case scenario takes place, and Brenton Strange walks in 2027, when he’s scheduled to become a free agent. <\/p>\n

Of course, there’s an equal chance Boerkircher flops, so you can’t justify giving Jacksonville a high grade for now. <\/p>\n

Grade: C-<\/p>\n

Bold prediction: Nate Boerkircher gets ample playing time and finishes his rookie season with 30 catches.<\/p>\n

Round 3, pick No. 81: Albert Regis, Jaguars defensive tackle<\/p>\n

Defensive tackle was a big roster void<\/a> for the Jaguars, so they had to address it at some point, right? They did it with their second pick in the whole draft when they picked Albert Regis at No. 81.<\/p>\n

At 6’1″, Regis doesn’t have great size to play defensive tackle but somehow manages to get the job done. He has some pass-rush potential but will need to work on that part of his game to get extensive playing time.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, expect Regis to get ample opportunities as a rookie. He’ll make the most out of them and register two sacks and a forced fumble next season.<\/p>\n

Grade: C<\/p>\n

Bold prediction: Become a full-time starter by the end of the season<\/p>\n

Round 3, pick No. 88: Emmanuel Pregnon, Jaguars offensive guard<\/p>\n

The Jaguars found a keeper in Emmanuel Pregnon, with several analysts calling him the biggest steal<\/a> of Day 2. The former Oregon Duck slid to Round 3, and Jacksonville couldn’t pass up the chance to select him. <\/p>\n

While the interior offensive line wasn’t an immediate need, the team’s brass wanted to upgrade it nonetheless. Patrick Mekari was underwhelming in 2025, and Ezra Cleveland is scheduled to become a free agent next year, so it made sense to beef up the trenches. <\/p>\n

In Pregnon, the Jaguars got a player with lots of upside that will keep Mekari and Cleveland on their toes during training camp.<\/p>\n

Grade: A<\/p>\n

Bold prediction: Pregnon will be a Day 1 starter on the Jacksonville offensive line<\/p>\n

Round 3, pick No. 100: Jalen Huskey, Jaguars safety<\/p>\n

Here’s another pick that showed the Jaguars willingness to increase the team’s floor. Safety was hardly a need, even though Andrew Wingard bolted for the Arizona Cardinals<\/a> in free agency. Jacksonville was stacked at the position with Antonio Johnson, Caleb Ransaw, Eric Murray, and Rayuan Layne. <\/p>\n

However, Johnson is entering a contract year, and Murray is dependable but far from a game-changer. Having Jalen Huskey around gives Jacksonville plenty of flexibility.<\/p>\n

Granted, Huskey isn’t great against the run but excels at making plays, which will allow him to seize a starting job.<\/p>\n

Grade: B<\/p>\n

Bold prediction: Will lose the competition for the starting job to Caleb Ransaw but will push Eric Murray out the door. <\/p>\n

Round 4, pick No. 119: Wesley Williams, Jaguars edge rusher<\/p>\n

At last, the Jaguars address the pass rush in Round 4, kind of. They got a player in Wesley Williams who had unremarkable production at Duke but has the tools to develop into a complementary piece behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen.<\/p>\n

Couple that with Williams’ special teams prowess, and the coaching staff will try to get him involved as much as he can. <\/p>\n

Grade: C+<\/p>\n

Bold prediction: Two forced fumbles as a rookie, one on special teams. <\/p>\n

Round 5, pick No. 164: Tanner Koziol, Jaguars tight end<\/p>\n

The Jaguars needed a big target on offense, and they got him in Tanner Koziol. Unlike fellow tight end Nate Boerkircher, Koziol was highly productive in college, hauling in a FBS-best 168 receptions the past two years. At 6’6″, he’ll give Trevor Lawrence a huge target on third downs and in the red zone.<\/p>\n

Grade: B+<\/p>\n

Bold prediction: Five touchdowns as a rookie.<\/p>\n

Round 6, pick No. 191: Josh Cameron, Jaguars receiver<\/p>\n

The Jaguars needed a WR5, and they got him in Josh Cameron<\/a>. While the former Baylor Bear lacks burst and explosiveness, he plays the position as if he were a running back. Moreover, he’s got superb hands, which is why drops are not an issue for him. <\/p>\n

Of course, Cameron is behind Parker Washington, Travis Hunter, Jakobi Meyers, and Brian Thomas Jr. on the depth chart, so he won’t get nearly as many opportunities. Still, he’s too talented to keep him off the field. <\/p>\n

Grade: B+<\/p>\n

Bold prediction: Cameron reels in 3 TDs on 25 catches as a rookie<\/p>\n

Round 6, pick No. 203: CJ Williams, Jaguars receiver<\/p>\n

The CJ Williams pick felt unnecessary after the Jaguars just drafted Josh Cameron, but they can’t blame them for wanting to have their options open. The issue is that unless Williams outplays Cameron, he won’t get many snaps. Heck, he may not even make the 53-man roster. Then again, you can’t expect to impact players at this point in the draft. <\/p>\n

Grade: C<\/p>\n

Bold prediction: CJ Williams won’t make the roster and will land in the practice squad. Hard to expect bigger things from him. <\/p>\n

Round 7, pick No. 233: Zach Durfee, Jaguars edge rusher<\/p>\n

The Jaguars finally added another pass rusher in Round 7 when they took Zach Durfee. That’s a sign that the top brass is high on sophomores Danny Striggow and B.J. Hill II<\/a>. Having said that, Zach Durfee has intriguing tools and will challenge both of them for playing time next season. <\/p>\n

Grade: B<\/p>\n

Bold prediction: 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble for Durfee<\/p>\n

Round 7, pick No. 240: Parker Hughes<\/p>\n

The Jaguars showed confidence in Ventrell Miller when they waited until Round 7 to bolster the linebacker corps. On the other hand, Parker Hughes will shake up the bottom of the depth chart. His speed alone will make him an intriguing developmental prospect that will make either Yasir Abdullah or Branson Combs expendable. <\/p>\n

Grade: B<\/p>\n

Bold prediction: Parker Hughes makes the roster, competes with Jack Kizer for the primary backup job.<\/p>\n

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