After a stunning pick to start Round 2 of the NFL Draft, general manager James Gladstone and the Jacksonville Jaguars ended Day 2 on a high note when they drafted Maryland safety Jalen Huskey with the 100th-overall pick of the event.
Daniel Griffis of Actions News for Jax claims that Huskey projects to be a safety on the NFL level. The rangy playmaker was a team captain who was also willing to play a boatload of special teams snaps if his coaches needed him to. That meshes perfectly with the Jaguars' desire to get tougher, establish a winning mindset, and acquire players who have the intangibles needed to be successful.
Thus far, there aren't many criticisms of the Jags' pick. Sure, B&T's own Austin Swain isn't that hyped up about the pick but still sees the upside. If the former Terrapin does end up playing safety, Huskey could address a major long-term need for the team as he develops. However, one analyst's breakdown concisely explains what type of player Jacksonville is bringing into the fold.
Eric Galko's shining endorsement shows why Jaguars fans should be ecstatic about Jalen Huskey's arrival
On his official X account, Eric Galko, the Shine Bowl's director of football operations and player personnel, shared his own perspective on Huskey's resume and skill set. According to the executive, the former Terp frequently found the ball during his collegiate career and even blocked a field goal once upon a time.
#Jaguars landed an ideally built, rangy and elite ball skill safety in Jalen Huskey.
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) April 25, 2026
He had 11 interceptions over the last three years at Maryland, playing corner in 2023 and safety in 2024-2025, all at a high level.
Played all over at the @ShrineBowl too.
Plus, he’s an… pic.twitter.com/8dkXd7FvW8
Even better, Galko's post includes a video showing a brief look at Huskey in coverage in the red zone. As you can see, the defensive back was quickly able to diagnose the play and tag a target who was a threat on the goal line. In the NFL, having to defend the plane is an inevitability, and it seems like Jax just found a guy who can help in tight, gotta-have-it situations.
With where he was drafted, Huskey should be rotating on defense in specific situations and contributing most on special teams during his rookie year. He and Rayuan Lane could be battling with one another for playing time, but both defenders will definitely be making the team. In the best-case scenario, both safeties will develop and reach ceilings higher than Andrew Wingard's. That would let James Gladstone flex every bit of his creative muscle while figuring out his ultimate plan for the secondary.
Going into Day 3, Huskey's addition addresses a pressing concern and lets the team think of other positions. It will be interesting to see how Gladstone maneuvers with the roster's current composition.
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