{"id":385943,"date":"2026-08-31T09:38:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T09:38:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/385943\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T09:38:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T09:38:16","slug":"initial-jaguars-53-man-roster-suddenly-makes-2025-draft-class-look-underwhelming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/385943\/","title":{"rendered":"Initial Jaguars 53-man roster suddenly makes 2025 draft class look underwhelming"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Jacksonville Jaguars caught plenty of heat for their 2026 draft class<\/a>, but they didn’t precisely get rave reviews one year prior either. Leaving aside the blockbuster trade that brought Travis Hunter to Duval, the Jags haven’t gotten great returns from their 2025 class. It looks even worse after the team announced the 53-man roster for the 2026 season. <\/p>\n

Neither 2025 fourth-round pick Jack Kiser nor 2025 sixth-round selection Jalen McLeod made the initial 53-man roster. Mia O’Brien later reported that both of them were waived<\/a>. When you factor in that third-round selection Wyat Milum struggled in training camp, Jacksonville’s 2025 draft class leaves much to be desired.<\/p>\n

What have the Jaguars gotten from their 2025 draft class?<\/p>\n

The highlight of the 2025 draft class was Travis Hunter, but because of his slow start to his rookie season, questions surfaced about his two-way capabilities in the NFL. However, the former Heisman Trophy winner broke out against the Los Angeles Rams<\/a>, registering one pass defensed and hauling in eight receptions for 101 yards with one touchdown. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury that brougth his first NFL campaign to an abrupt end. <\/p>\n

Because Hunter missed a good chunk of the 2025 season, the Jags were blasted for the decision to give up (mostly) a second-round pick in 2025 and their first in 2026. The good news is that the West Palm Beach, Florida native is back in the fold and appears to be in a position to become the dynamic player the Jags envisioned <\/a>when they drafted him second overall.<\/p>\n

Aside from Hunter, Jacksonville also missed Caleb Ransaw last year. The safety out of Tulane was trending to start next to Eric Murray before a leg injury sidelined him his whole rookie season. He’s now back in the mix and will have a substantial role even though he’ll be No. 3 behind Murray and Antonio Johnson. <\/p>\n

Wyatt Milum also sat out the start of the 2025 season with a knee injury. But unlike Ransaw, he failed to make strides in Year 2 and will tentatively take on a backup role despite the fact that he had a prime opportunity to seize the starting job at right guard<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Jack Kiser and Jonah Monheim didn’t suffer serious injuries but mostly saw the field as backups. You could make the case that the Jags’ best picks from 2025 thus far have been LeQuint Allen Jr. and Rayuan Lane. <\/p>\n

Allen has carved out a niche as a blocker and pass-catcher out of the backfield, while Rayuan Lane flashed on defense and special teams. <\/p>\n

But that’s the thing, when your two best players from a draft class are a third-down back and a special-teams contributor, the general manager, James Gladstone in this case, deserves flak. <\/p>\n

You may also like: Analysis of initial 53-man roster for the 2026 season<\/a><\/p>\n

The Jaguars’ 2025 draft class could look much better after 2026<\/p>\n

Of course, readiness is always variable coming out of the draft, meaning that some players need a bit more time than others to hit their stride. When you take into account that several picks from the Jaguars’ draft class dealt with injuries in 2025, it’s fair to expect some progress next season. <\/p>\n

Travis Hunter, in particular, could develop into an All-Pro talent. Caleb Ransaw could become the starter if Antonio Johnson leaves in 2027. Similarly, LeQuint Allen Jr. should have a big role on offense. Still, Jacksonville already waived Jack Kiser and Jalen McLeod, so the 2025 class will have limited upside. <\/p>\n

Maybe the players who remain on the roster go on to become key building blocks next season, but for the time being, the 2025 class doesn’t look great. James Gladstone rightly deserves plenty of blame for it. <\/p>\n

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