The Jacksonville Jaguars went 13-4 last season but were one-and-done in the playoffs. If they want to get over the hump, they'll need to make upgrades to the roster. And with free agency in the rearview mirror, their only venue to get it done will be the 2026 NFL Draft. The issue is that the Jags don't have a first-round pick after trading up for two-way star Travis Hunter, and their first selection doesn't come until No. 56.
By the time Jacksonville is on the clock, plenty of prospects will be off the board. Granted, there will still be lots of talent available, so general manager James Gladstone will have no shortage of options to fortify the roster. Then again, he may not be willing to wait, and nobody will bat an eye if the Jaguars make an aggressive move to trade up. If that's the route they take, a recent scoop will be music to their ears.
The Jaguars should benefit from a trade-heavy NFL Draft
Insider Jordan Schutlz posted on Twitter that he expects this upcoming draft to be trade-heavy, pointing out that there will probably be plenty of activity in the first half of the second round.
"Specifically, on the defensive side of the ball — EDGE, CB, and LB are all strong/deep — while WR is typically considered to be the most talented offensive position," Schultz wrote. "Several executives I've spoken with believe we're likely to see a flurry of activity in the first half of Round 1."
Wide receiver isn't a need for Jacksonville, but the team's brass could most definitely use reinforcements at cornerback, the linebacker corps, and the pass rush.
Schultz adds that because of the dearth of depth in later rounds, clubs could pursue extra Day 2 and early Day 3 selections.
"Additionally, because this specific draft lacks depth in the later rounds, many teams plan to pursue extra Day 2 and early Day 3 picks, per league sources," Schultz said.
This could be great news for the Jaguars. While they don't have a pick in the first round, they have three in Round 3, two in Round 5, and three in Round 7. That's more than enough ammo to move up in the draft.
If the Jags want to jump late into the first round, the Seattle Seahawks and the Buffalo Bills could be suitable partners. The latter has shown a willingness to trade down, while the former has just four selections and could be looking for more.
On the other hand, Jacksonville could acquire an additional second-round pick. After all, the cost of moving up from the third round into the second may be substantially cheaper. Either way, James Gladstone will have no shortage of options.
The Jaguars won't stay put in the NFL Draft, expect them to be busy
The Jaguars are entering the draft with clear needs. Specifically, they need to add reinforcements at defensive tackle, the pass rush, and maybe cornerback. The safety position, the linebacker corps, and the offensive line could also use depth. But even after taking care of their biggest roster voids, the Jags could still have a few picks to spare.
Although James Gladstone could take several paths in Round 2, he'll probably go defensive tackle because this year's class isn't that deep, and the sooner he takes care of it, the faster he'll be able to address other needs.
For that reason, nobody will bat an eye if Jacksonville makes an aggressive effort to either jump into the first round or the second. Conversely, they could trade some of their picks in exchange for selections in 2027.
Either way, expect the Jaguars to be busy on Draft Day.