If James Gladstone isn't anything else, he is consistent. I've been harshly critical of the second-year general manager this weekend, and his belated efforts to find a pass rusher for the Jacksonville Jaguars gives me another reason to ask what is going on here.
Runnning back Mike Washington Jr. was still available and would have given the Jaguars a chance to solidify their commitment to the running game. Gladstone landed one of the best guards in America last night and shocked everyone when he drafted a blocking tight end at 56th overall.
Landing an explosive athlete for Liam Coen to build around would have helped Jacksonville's offense pick up where it left off after losing to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round. Unfortunately, Gladstone seems to have different plans, as he's spent two picks on lackluster defensive linemen, one pick on a safety who's converting from cornerback, and two picks on a rushing offense that sputtered at the most inopportune times.
I'm sure the Jaguars will welcome Wesley Williams, but he wasn't worth trading up for
At Duke, Williams had 11 sacks in four seasons, with 7.5 of them coming in 2024. He was more disruptive at and behind the line of scrimmage on running downs since he talled 13.5 tackles for loss in 2024 and nine stuffs in 2025.
According to SIS he had 44 pressures in 2024 and 2025.
— Jamal St. Cyr (@JStCyrTV) April 25, 2026
Sack totals were different, but he was affecting the QB https://t.co/wCW5wkHVS6
However, his massive decline in production (he went from 7.5 sacks in 2024 to two sacks in 2025) is a huge cause for concern. There were players who could've provided depth at linebacker and running back if the Jaguars stayed put at Pick 124. Also, the Jags have two EDGEs that under contracts that are worth more than $100 million. BJ Green may also like a word about another backup end in base formations coming to take his playing time.
I was told that the team's lack of an interior push is the reason why they weren't able to sack the passer last season. How does a 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive end help with that? What does Gladstone plan to do with the extra sixth-round pick he got from the trade? When is the former Ram going to make a move that proves he's as ready to win as he says he is?
Gladstone's being strategically bold alright. Whatever he's planning, he better be ready to defend it with every ounce of credibility he has left, because this draft has been horrible outside of one player; and there's not even a guarantee that Emmanuel Pregnon will start this year.
Trading up for a backup already makes this pick below average at best. When you consider who was still on the board and which positions still haven't been addressed, the choice becomes egregious.
Grade: D
Add us as a preferred source on Google