I know, I'm sorry. The Jacksonville Jaguars have a chance to earn their first 10-win season since 2017 this weekend, but I just can't stop looking ahead. Maybe it's a sickness, or a habit reinforced by years of packing it in by October, but I'm always intrigued by the brightest stars in college football and how they would look in a teal throwback jersey.
That being said, I usually think about players who could help the Jaguars immediately. Guys like Caleb Downs would give Jax an enforcer on the backend or heavy hitters like Jacob Rodriguez to replace Devin Lloyd if he and James Gladstone can't reach an agreement before free agency starts.
Unfortunately, the Jags don't have a first-round pick in 2026, so there's almost no chance they could snag either one of those defensive superstars. Fortunately, there's a plentiful list of talented players the team could pursue with their second-round pick, and one mock draft has them selecting . . .
An interior offensive lineman?
The Jaguars pick Brian Parker II in CBS Sports' latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft
In their latest mock draft, Josh Edwards of CBS Sports predicts that the Jags would select Duke IOL Brian Parker II with the 58th overall pick. According to Edwards, Parker is a right tackle who's projected to move inside at the professional level. The writer also notes that Liam Coen helped Graham Barton, another Duke alum, transition from tackle to center after Tampa Bay drafted him in the first round last year.
Look, I'll be the first one to tell you that the Jaguars haven't done enough to build the best offensive line possible. Walker Little's been disappointing as the team's starting left tackle, and Cole Van Lanen shouldn't be viewed as a potential upgrade at that spot just yet. However, there's an entire free agency period to find the best IOL available for Coen's system. We also need to see if Wyatt Milum, the team's third-round pick, has any potential to be a valuable starter.
While this isn't exactly my preferred option, the team's needs also give James Gladstone an opportunity to prove he's a master at finding gold in the lower rounds. This year, the former director of scouting for the Rams selected Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round. The Virginia Tech Hokie has rewarded the young general manager with five total touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving) throughout his rookie campaign.
Building on this success by finding the interior O-Line of the future in the fourth or fifth round would cement Gladstone's status as a progressive prodigy who'll influence how NFL front offices do business for years to come.
Who should the Jaguars draft instead of Brian Parker II?
I give Edwards a lot of credit for even thinking of players who could go in the second round. With full transparency, I can admit that I haven't thought about who could be there for the Jags on Day 2. However, I can tell you the holes the team would have to fill if they don't address the expiring contracts on their current roster.
Recent data published by Spotrac shows that Travon Walker, Anton Harrison, and Devin Lloyd all command estimated market values of $17.3 million or more per year. Also, Jakobi Meyers, the standout wide receiver Jacksonville traded for at the deadline, has an expiring contract the team must think of as well.
That means the Jags would need to find an EDGE, off-ball linebacker, right tackle, and wide receiver this offseason if they decide to be a little tight with the purse strings. Ironically, this gives everyone a fair compromise, as the franchise could just choose the best right tackle prospect available when the time comes.
To be honest, the best left tackle available would be a great choice as well, but Gladstone's preference for versatile players who can elevate the roster's floor should take a backseat either way.