The 2025 season delivered a remarkable rise from four wins to 13-4, an AFC South title, and Trevor Lawrence as an MVP finalist with a career-high 38 touchdown passes. Devin Lloyd emerged as a breakout defender and the roster showed enough depth to fuel an eight-game postseason surge, though the year ended with a Wild Card loss to the Bills.
Entering the 2026 draft, General Manager James Gladstone prioritizes interior stability and back-end versatility, seeking a rangy safety to anchor Anthony Campanile’s scheme. The plan emphasizes durability and a front-to-back build that can weather injuries and keep the team competitive.
The Jaguars open in Round 2 with Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo, a player with length and ball disruption traits, designed to bolster coverage at the catch points despite some questions in deep-speed anticipation. In Round 3, they add a trio of assets: Jake Slaughter, C, Florida, as a tone-setting center; Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M, to grow into a powerful inside run blocker; and Skyler Gill-Howard, DL, Texas Tech, a rotational pass-rush option.
Round 4 adds Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State, bringing speed and receiving ability to the backfield as a complement to Coen’s creative run concepts. In Round 5, Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC, and Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston, provide safety depth and a red-zone threat, respectively, aligning with Jacksonville’s emphasis on a versatile, multi-dimensional offense.
The final rounds strengthen depth and flexibility: Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech, adds run support and cover range; Micah Morris, G, Georgia, is a development project with interior physicality; and VJ Payne, DB, Kansas State, offers positional versatility that could unlock future moves in the secondary or on special teams.
Overall, this PFF mock draft presents a durable, back-to-front build aimed at sustainable success. By fortifying the interior, expanding safety reliability, and adding complementary playmakers on offense, the Jaguars position themselves to stay relevant in the AFC while remaining prudent with their draft capital.
