After going 3-14 in 2024, the Jacksonville Jaguars qualified for the postseason and won the AFC South last season. Rightly, expectations have gone up, and the Jags will need to prove that their success in 2025 wasn't an outlier but rather a sign of things to come. To make it happen, they'll need several players to step up.
It will be huge if Jacksonville's rookie class has an instant impact, but the franchise will also want several players who didn't do much in 2025 to turn things around next season.
And with this in mind, here are five players who need to change the narrative in 2026.
Waytt Milum, offensive lineman
The Jaguars used a third-round pick on Waytt Milum in 2025 because he fit the intangibly rich mold: A player who showcases toughness and loves football. The former West Virginia Mountaineer flashed upside in training camp, but a knee injury halted any momentum he had built before the regular season.
Milum has the traits to, worst-case scenario, be the primary backup inside, but he'll also have the chance to compete for a starting job. The issue is that he'll need to fend off rookie Emmanuel Pregnon to pull it off.
Working in Milum's favor is that he's now healthy, but it will be up to him to make the most of his chances.
Jarrian Jones, Jaguars cornerback
As a rookie, Jarrian Jones showed playmaking skills but also left a bit to be desired when he lined up in the boundaries, as he's better suited to play nickel. The former Florida Seminole made strides in 2025. On the other hand, he lost his starting job after struggling early in the season.
Granted, Jones remained heavily involved and went on to make plays. Specifically, he racked up three interceptions and eight passes defensed. Having said that, the Flowood, Mississippi native didn't show enough consistency to hold onto a starting job. That needs to change if he wants to seize a featured role in 2026 and beyond.
Patrick Mekari, Jaguars right guard
The Jaguars gave Patrick Mekari a three-year deal worth $37.5 million in 2025 because they wanted him to bring stability at right guard after Brandon Scherff left. The expectation was that the Cal Golden Bear was going to become a mainstay of the offensive line. However, it didn't play that way.
Mekari has lined up at every position in the offensive trenches throughout his career but settled at left guard in 2024. He moved to right guard with the Jags, but struggled with the switch. Couple that with the fact that the veteran hog molly dealt with injuries, and he had an underwhelming first season in Duval.
Fast foward to 2026, and Mekari may need to hold off Emmanuel Pregnon to keep his job.
Caleb Ransaw, Jaguars safety
Like Wyatt Milum, Caleb Ransaw was a third-round pick in 2025 who fit the intangibly rich mold. The former Green Wave Tulane was in a three-way battle for the starting job next to Eric Murray last offseason. However, a leg injury brought his season to a screeching halt.
During his absence, Antonio Johnson had a breakout season, and Andrew Wingard left. However, Jacksonville also added Jalen Huskey in Round 3 of this year's NFL Draft, so Ransaw will have his work cut out for him to prove he deserves a starting spot.
Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars wide receiver
Brian Thomas Jr. was one of the biggest Jaguars disappointments in 2025. After taking the NFL by storm as a rookie, the former LSU Tiger suffered a steep drop-off in production. Some of that stemmed from drops and his inability to run a wide route tree. Then, the Jags brought in Jakobi Meyers to bring stability at the position.
Couple that with the fact that Parker Washington had a breakout year, and Thomas is no longer the No. 1 option in the Jacksonville passing game. The good news is that he remains highly talented, and the Jaguars have made it clear that he's part of their future. Now, the Walker, Louisiana native must prove that holding onto him is the right call.
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