The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't make substantial changes to their starting lineups on either side of the ball, but that's because they expect most of their returning players to take the next step. That said, there are other players on the Jags roster who won't start but still will have a big impact next season.
And that's the thing, Jacksonville has lots of talent beyond the starting lineup, so nobody would bat an eye if any of the following players turn heads next season.
Five Jaguars sleepers ready to make noise in 2026
Caleb Ransaw, safety
Although Caleb Ransaw played cornerback in college, he switched to safety with the Jags because of his tackling skills. The former Tulane Green Wave made such a strong impression in training camp last year that he was competing for a starting job. However, he suffered a season-ending injury and had to spend his rookie season on the sidelines.
Now, Ransaw is back at full strength and ready to contribute. He's behind Antonio Johnson and Eric Murray on the depth chart, but don't be surprised if he joins the starting lineup by the midpoint of the season.
Jarrian Jones, cornerback
Jarrian Jones struggled to start the 2026 season but bounced back and went on to finish strong. Now, he's part of a crowded cornerback room. Montaric Brown and Travis Hunter will tentatively start in the boundaries, and Jourdan Lewis will man the slot.
But even if Jones doesn't start, he could see ample playing time either inside or outside. The former Florida State Seminole is simply too good to be left off the field. Just last year, he recorded three interceptions and eight passes defensed. Jacksonville could definitely use those ballhawk skills as much as possible in 2026.
Emmanuel Pregnon, offensive lineman
You could make the case that including Emmanuel Pregnon on this list is cheating since, unlike the other players on the list, he's projected to be a Week 1 starter. That said, the former Oregon Duck has yet to play a single snap in the regular season, so he'll be an unproven commodity when Jacksonville faces the Cleveland Browns in the opener.
Having said that, it won't take long for Pregnon to hit his stride. Although the rookie hog molly showed in the preseason that he still has to hone his skills, he also showed plenty of upside. At this point, it's hard to see him leaving the starting lineup.
Nate Boerkicher, tight end
No other Jaguars player got more scrutiny in the offseason than Nate Boerkicher, the 56th overall selection in this year's draft, through no fault of his own. One of the biggest reasons general manager James Gladstone got lots of flak for picking him before the consensus board suggested was that the former Texas A&M Aggie only hauled in 19 receptions for 198 yards with three touchdowns as a rookie.
On the other hand, Boerkircher was the best blocking tight end of his class and an underrated pass catcher, recording a separation rate of 86.4 percent in 2025. Already, the Aurora, Nebraska native showcased both skills in training camp, and it will be a matter of time before he becomes an integral part of the Jacksonville offense alongside Brenton Strange.
Ruke Orhorhoro, defensive tackle
The Jaguars needed to bolster their interior defensive line, but instead of drafting a defensive tackle in the early rounds, they traded for Ruke Orhorhoro just one week before the NFL player selection meeting. Now, the former Clemson Tiger flopped with the Atlanta Falcons, but he dealt with injuries and was playing out of position.
Nevertheless, Orhorhoro still managed to flash serious pass-rush potential with the Dirty Birds, and it's fair to assume that a fresh start in Duval will allow him to put it all together.
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