Following their excruciating playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Jacksonville Jaguars entered the offseason with clear needs. But instead of taking a swing in free agency, they waited until the draft to take care of their roster holes. Analysts panned their rookie class, with the criticism mostly centered on the fact that the Jags ignored the consensus big board, opting instead to follow their own internal scouting.
One analyst went as far as calling general manager James Gladstone arrogant. But despite the heat, the Jags are seemingly pleased with their 2026 draft class. This begs the question, how are the rookies coming along? With this in mind, here's a stock report for each one of them just before the team's scrimmage.
Jaguars rookie stock report
Nate Boerkircher, Jaguars tight end
Without a doubt, Nate Boerkircher was the team's most controversial selection. Not only did the Jags pick him way before the consensus big board suggests, but his stats in 2025 didn't pop off the stat sheet. Compounding the issue is that Jacksonville appeared to have bigger needs than tight end. Looking back, though, general manager James Gladstone might've been onto something.
Boerkircher hasn't made many jaw-dropping plays throughout camp but has caught every pass thrown his way. Moreover, his blocking chops have been on full display. If that wasn't enough, the coaching staff isn't bringing the Aurora, Colorado native along slowly, opting instead to put as much as they can on his plate.
While Brenton Strange remains firmly entrenched as TE1, expect Boerkircher to have a substantial role as a rookie.
Veredict: Trending up
Albert Regis, Jaguars defensive tackle
Instead of trading up into Round 1 to bolster the interior defensive line, the Jaguars traded for Ruke Orhorhoro just one week before the draft. They then added further reinforcements at defensive tackle with Albert Regis in the third round.
Behind Orhorhoro, Arik Armstead, and DaVon Hamilton, Regis probably won't get a big role as a rookie. That said, he's flashed potential against the run whenever he's gotten reps in training camp, so perhaps he could be Hamilton's potential heir apparent next season.
For the time being, Regis needs to keep honing his skills.
Veredict: Remains the same
Emmanuel Pregnon, Jaguars offensive lineman
While most of their 2026 rookie class was panned, the Jaguars did get flowers for taking Emmanuel Pregnon, with some analysts going as far as saying that he was the steal of Round 2. Then, the offseason program came, and the former Oregon Duck turned heads. However, he's kind of hit a speed bump in training camp.
Pregnon has mostly practiced with the second team, and when he played with the starters, he struggled a bit (he also went down), showing that he still has a long way to go before he competes for a roster spot. Having said that, the upside is still there.
Veredict: Trending down
Jalen Huskey, Jaguars safety
Of the Jaguars' top 100 picks, Jalen Huskey could have the most trouble getting playing time as a rookie. He's currently stuck behind Antonio Johnson, Eric Murray, Caleb Ransaw, and Rayuan Lane III.
Perhaps Huskey could work his way onto the field, but he's been unable to stand out in training camp. This doesn't mean that the former Maryland Terrapin has struggled, but rather that he hasn't done enough to earn more reps.
Keep in mind that players' readiness is always variable, so maybe Huskey needs more time. So far, though, he's been quiet in training camp.
Veredict: Trending down
Tanner Koziol, Jaguars tight end
The Jaguars raised eyebrows when they double-dipped at tight end with Tanner Koziol after drafting Nate Boerkircher two rounds earlier. But the rookie out of Houston is already turning heads, so the decision looks great in retrospect.
Koziol has used his size — he's 6'7" — to make some jaw-dropping catches throughout training camp. On top of that, he's been honing his blocking skills, which is arguably the weakest part of his game.
Even though Koziol is trending toward being TE3 next season, he's quickly positioning himself to carve out a niche.
Veredict: Trending up
Wesley, Williams, Jaguars defensive end
Wesley Williams has had a solid training camp. In any other year, he could be competing for snaps, but he's part of a crowded defensive ends room. This will make it difficult for the former Duke Blue Devil to earn a role in their pass-rush rotation as a rookie. It doesn't help that fellow rookie Zach Durfee is showing out, and B.J. Green II is making a bid for the No. 3 job behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen.
It's possible that Williams could experience a surge in the preseason. But at this moment, it's hard to envision him getting much playing time as a rookie, unless he contributes on special teams.
Veredict: Trending down
Josh Cameron, Jaguars receiver
Usually, you don't expect much from a sixth-round selection, but Josh Cameron is making it impossible not to steal the spotlight because of how many big plays he's made in training camp. Nearly every practice, he's had a catch worthy of a highlight reel.
Furthermore, Cameron could return punts as a rookie when Parker Washington needs to catch his breath, so you can definitely say that the former Baylor Bear is poised to make an impact as a rookie.
Veredict: Trending up
CJ Williams, Jaguars receiver
Like fellow rookie receiver Josh Cameron, CJ Williams has made the most of his chances in training camp. The former Stanford Cardinal has quickly become one of Trevor Lawrence's favorite targets, and nobody should bat an eye if he gets a lot of targets as a rookie, even if he's in the bottom half of the depth chart.
Through training camp, you'll see beat writers heap praise on Williams, and it's all deserved.
Veredict: Trending up
Zach Durfee, Jaguars defensive end
Prospect X is quickly working his way up the depth chart. Although he was relatively quiet in the offseason program, the rookie pass rusher has made plenty of noise in training camp.
Already, Durfee has won several one-on-one matchups in training camp, and there's a chance he could compete with B.J. Green II for the No. 3 pass-rusher job.
Veredict: Trending up
Parker Hughes, Jaguars linebacker
Parker Hughes was at the bottom of the depth chart but suddenly got a lifeline when fellow linebacker Jack Kiser suffered a knee injury. He's certainly taken advantage of his snaps and has looked good in coverage, according to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated.
Still, Hughes has an uphill battle to get snaps as a rookie. Even with the extra reps he's getting, he could get the boot on cutdown day.
Veredict: Remains the same
Add us as a preferred source on Google