Jaguars just secured Jeffery Simmons neutralizer without even knowing it

The Jacksonville Jaguars have to deal with several top-notch defensive tackles in the AFC South. Game-planning to contain Jeffery Simmons is a priority when they play the dreaded Tennessee Titans. Similarly, the Jags will now have to worry about neutralizing Kayden McDonald after he landed with the Houston Texans. Fortunately, help is on the way.

After drafting Nate Boerkircher and Albert Regis, Jacksonville took offensive guard Emmanuel Pregnon with the No. 88 overall selection. While the rest of their draft class has been under scrutiny, the Pregnon pick has gotten rave reviews across the league, and understandably so.

The former Oregon Duck was one of the top offensive guards in the draft, but somehow slid to Round 3. Not surprisingly, NFL analysts have heaped praise on the Jaguars for snagging him.

The Jaguars committed draft larceny with Emmanuel Pregnon

NFL insider Jordan Schultz posted on Twitter his favorite non-first-round picks of the 2026 NFL Draft and included Emmanuel Pregnon. Edge rusher Cashius Howell (Cincinnati Bengals, No. 41), cornerback Keith Abney II (Detroit Lions, pick No. 157), running back Emmeth Johnson (Kansas City Chiefs, No. 161), wide receiver Brenen Thompson (Los Angeles Chargers, No. 105), and wide receiver Chris Bell (Miami Dolphins, No. 95) also made the cut.

Here's what John Shipley had to say about Emmanuel Pregnon potentially challenging incumbents Patrick Mekari and Ezra Cleveland for the starting jobs at both guard spots.

"Simply put, there are no spots that are about to be given out on the Jaguars offensive line," Shipley wrote. "Everyting will have to be earned, and jobs will have to be won and lost. The Jaguars did not just add offensive line depth with this selection — they added one of the best offensive linemen in the entire draft."

Shipley continued, "Perhaps he fell to the third round ue to age or lack of positional versatility, but that does not matter for the Jaguars. What does matter is the kind of impact he could have. That impact could be as a starting guard early on in his Jaguars career, as long as he wins the job."

For his part, Justin Melo of SI argues that Pregnon was the most confusing slide of Day 2 but states that Jacksonville must be thrilled that he fell to No. 88.

As Shipley stated, Pregnon will have to beat either Cleveland or Mekari to win a starting job. Then again, he's talented enough to pull it off, so nobody would bat an eye if he makes either one expendable at some point in the 2026 season. Worst-case scenario? He'll make Chuma Edoga a victim of the numbers game.

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Emmanuel Pregnon will make the Jaguars a tougher team in the trenches

Liam Coen made it clear that the Jaguars could improve in the running game. This is why it wasn't particularly shocking to see them drafting Nate Boerkircher, Tanner Koziol, and Emmanuel Pregnon. Sure, you can argue that the picks lack luster, but there's nothing fancy about playing smash-mouth football.

And that's the thing, Coen already imprinted the Jags with his DNA, making them a tougher team. He now wants to take them to the next level. With Pregnon in the mix, they should be able to pull it off. But even if his bid for the starting job fails, he won't give up without a fight. He'll push both Ezra Cleveland and Patrick Mekari, which will, in turn, increase the ceiling on the offensive line.

The truth is that the Jaguars have to face some tough defenses in the division, so it's not particularly surprising to see them try to fight fire with fire. And just like the Tennessee Titans have Jeffery Simmons, Jacksonville has its own mauler in Emmanuel Pregnon.

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