Jaguars become an AFC juggernaut in 3-round mock draft

No way around it: The Jacksonville Jaguars have their work cut out this offseason to build on their stunning surge to seize the AFC South crown.

First-year head coach Liam Coen and fresh-faced GM James Gladstone didn't get much out of No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter from last year's NFL Draft, but it didn't matter. Gladstone made enough savvy moves outside of the audacious Hunter acquisition, and Coen proved his chops as an elite play-caller and leader of men.

But the Jags are in the salary cap red. They don't have a first-round pick due to the Hunter trade. All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd is a free agent, along with star running back Travis Etienne.

Well, when Gladstone worked for the Los Angeles Rams, he specialized in finding draft diamonds in the rough. He's about to do just that in this 2026 mock draft from rounds two through four to ensure Jacksonville's skyrocketing trajectory stays on course this coming season.

Jaguars 3-round mock draft sees GM James Gladstone shine

Round 2, Pick 56 — Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

There isn't much depth to speak of at defensive end behind Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. The latter will hit free agency next offseason, barring an extension that the Jags have little room to negotiate at this time.

Zion Young has an outstanding DWI case that Jacksonville would need to do its due diligence on. It's not impossible to overcome a misstep like that. See: Dak Prescott and T'Vondre Sweat as examples who come to mind.

Assuming that red flag and any others check out, Young is a dominant force who sets hard edges in the run game and had 6.5 sacks and 32 pressures this past season. Young's presence would free up Walker to kick inside more often, which he's done very little of in the NFL despite his incredible athleticism at 272 pounds.

Round 3, Pick 81 — Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State

It's a bit of a crowded defensive backfield at the minute. However, the likely departure of safety Andrew Wingard on the open market creates enough room for a playmaker like Zakee Wheatley to come in.

Wheatley is a savvy, sticky-coverage deep safety who can also lay the wood versus the run in the box, and has some experience playing in the slot. Jarrian Jones and Jourdan Lewis are both capable at that latter spot, which puts Wheatley at either safety position.

To me, 2025 third-round pick Caleb Ransaw is a supreme athlete, yet not the caliber of prospect that Wheatley is. Stick Antonio Johnson at deep safety, get Wheatley in there next to him, and deploy Ransaw as a third safety/dime subpackage guy. Those moves would take this Jags secondary to a whole other level.

Round 3, Pick 88 — Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Not a bad idea to have a swarming linebacker as a Devin Lloyd contingency plan. Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez is a production machine. Not sure why his stock isn't higher, but this is a classic case of not looking a gift horse in the mouth if he's still on the board at No. 88 overall.

Rodriguez may get knocked for playing behind such a phenomenal Red Raiders defensive line, or lacking top-end physical tools. Nevertheless, you don't just luck your way into 255 combined tackles (21.5 TFL), six sacks, five interceptions, and 10 forced fumbles in the last two seasons.

Round 3, Pick 100 — Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State

One need Jacksonville still has in its defensive backfield is at boundary cornerback. Plenty of guys who can man the slot, but not many options on the perimeter outside of Travis Hunter.

That's where Davison Igbinosun would step in. He's an explosive, talented player whose penchant for penalties was his undoing in 2024. However, Igbinosun reduced his penalties to five this last year, and he allowed just a 42.6 passer rating. Just the type of coverage chops the Jags are looking for.

Round 4, Pick 124 — Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin

If the 2025 draft taught us anything, it's that Gladstone isn't afraid to roll the dice or fade the consensus on certain prospects.

I suspect Charles Demmings' stock will soar once he lights up the NFL Combine here soon. Until then, he sits at 218th on the consensus big board. Gladstone drafted Ransaw 88th overall (150th consensus) and Jalen McLeod at No. 194 (310th consensus) to cite a couple examples.

You talk about physical tools to work with. I'm just going to play y'all out on some Charles Demmings propaganda, and you tell me if you wouldn't want him competing in the Jags' cornerback room.

Closing with a mic-drop Demmings quote from this feature by Beyond the Blitz's Arye Pulli:

"If that receiver isn’t okay with this being the last thing he ever does in his life—with this being the last breath that he ever takes—if he isn’t okay with that, then he hasn’t won that rep. [...] Because I’m okay with that...When I step in between those white lines...I’m okay with my last breath being on this field, with my last breath being this rep, and with the last thing I’m wearing to be a helmet and a jersey. I’m in love with that."