At this phase of the offseason, it appears that the only way the Jacksonville Jaguars bring in an elite defensive tackle is through the 2026 NFL Draft. Sure, they just traded for Ruke Orhorhoro, but they could use further reinforcements at the line of scrimmage.
Murmurs around the league hint that various general managers aren't impressed with the assortment of interior defensive linemen they have to choose from. In theory, that should give James Gladstone the green light to pick whoever he wants to anchor the Jaguars' defensive front for the next decade.
Unfortunately, a new piece of analysis shows that everyone else in the AFC South needs an explosive defensive lineman, too.
The Jaguars could use Kayden McDonald but other AFC South teams may want him
Fansided's interactive NFL Draft big board breaks down every team's top targets and the best 50 prospects overall. While providing commentary on the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans, the outlet's staff writers assessed that each of them should be prioritizing game-breaking big bodies on the defensive side of the ball.
None of the lists were completely identical, but it's possible that the best DTs could be off the board by the time Jacksonville makes its first selection. In particular, Ohio State's Kayden McDonald and Georgia's Christen Miller were listed as targets for the Texans and Colts, respectively.
Dexter Lawrence's rocky relationship with the New York Giants could provide an out for this dilemma if Gladstone decides to put up the capital required to trade for him. However, the executive's recent activity shows that he's more focused on keeping the Jags' current core together instead of making a splash for a big-name veteran from another team.
As such, it would be wise for Jacksonville's front office to consider some backup plans if they need to pivot in real time. As noted before, the team's brass traded for Ruke Orhorhoro, so they can afford to address other positions. Luckily, a rising star in the defensive backfield could still be available in the second round if things swing the Jaguars' way.
San Diego State's Chris Johnson is the corner the Jaguars need to take the defense to the next level
While it's true that Travis Hunter will focus more on playing cornerback in 2026 (and that Montaric Brown just got a nice $31.5 million deal to remain in Duval County for the foreseeable future), you can never have too much talent on a Super Bowl contender. If you're pushing all your chips in for a championship run, landing a future superstar, regardless of position, should take priority over reaching for a need.
If the Jaguars snagged Chris Johnson with the 56th overall pick, they would be getting a legitimate candidate for the CB2 spot and a freakish amount of athletic upside.
According to Fansided, Johnson is the 34th-best player in this year's class. If the draft went exactly as the rankings say, the San Diego State standout would be drafted early in the second round. Luckily, the actual course of the draft will involve some twists and turns.
Recent reports confirmed that Jacksonville held a pre-draft visit with Johnson not too long ago. This is something to keep an eye on, as Johnson's had meetings with other franchises as well.
Fansided's analysis questions if Johnson will even be available by the time the first 50 picks are submitted. Other reports connect the Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, and Green Bay Packers to the corner; and they all pick before the Jaguars do. If push comes to shove, Gladstone may need to trade up to get the dynamic DB and add him to the fold.
Fortunately, Jacksonville has 11 picks to work with if they decide to be aggressive on Day 2. With the way things currently stand, they may have to pursue some deals whether they like it or not, as the team's salary cap situation leaves the draft as the only resource left to get premium talent before the 2026 campaign begins.
To be honest, this is a good position for the Jaguars to be in. The interior defensive line could still use upgrades after the Ruke Orhorh, but there are a ton of intriguing prospects at the skill positions. Of course, getting a veteran interior lineman from the Big 10 or SEC would be the best-case scenario at 56th overall. However, there's still a way for James Gladstone & Co. to come out as huge winners if they navigate the second round appropriately.
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