Jaguars would love to see these 3 draft prospects slide to Round 2

Unfortunately for Jacksonville Jaguars fans, Thursday's first round of the 2026 NFL Draft might be uneventful.

By way of last year's AFC South title, the Jaguars don't have a pick until Round 2 at No. 56 overall. That's a lot of names that will come off the board before the team picks -- unless James Gladstone gets ultra-aggressive once again to move up the board.

With this in mind, here are three names that, if they were to fall into the late 30s, might be too tempting for Gladstone to pass up.

Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

When you don't have a first-round pick, the temptation to take a first-round talent at a position of need must be enormous.

We'll see if the Jaguars can avoid making a few calls and asking if they're really married to all 11 picks in this year's draft if Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks begins sliding down the board.

Banks is an extraordinary athlete. At 6'6" and 327 pounds, Banks' first-step explosiveness and drive when he plays at the right pad level are reminiscent of a Chris Jones figure. He posted a 32" vertical jump and 9'6" broad jump with a broken foot.

There's a bit of risk when a foot issue also wiped out Banks' 2025 season at Florida. Plus, he's not always the most technical or refined defensive lineman. It's just almost unheard of that someone of his size moves this well and could be had at No. 56 overall.

I've talked ad nauseam about Jacksonville needing to add beef to its front seven. I haven't really touched on Banks because it's so unlikely he drops all the way there. Gladstone might work the phones if the 40s hit and the star lineman is still on the board.

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Whoever selects Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is going to win the press conference.

Rodriguez is a household name after a season that saw him finish top 10 in voting for the Heisman Trophy. He forced 11 turnovers in 2025-26 for one of the best defenses in the country.

That story was fine and well, but it always was conventional wisdom that Rodriguez's production in the Big 12 wouldn't translate as a marquee prospect. Then, he dominated the Senior Bowl. Then, he posted a top-nine 40-yard dash, 10-yard split, vertical jump, broad jump, 3-cone drill, and shuttle time among linebackers at the combine.

All of a sudden, Rodriguez's prospect profile has just one flaw. He'll turn 24 in September. Otherwise, Jacksonville has to ask itself whether he's worth moving up to secure — especially after losing Devin Lloyd in free agency.

Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

The longer the run on cornerbacks holds off, the happier the Jaguars will be.

I don't know if Jacksonville would be in the market for South Carolina's Brandon Cisse at No. 56 overall, but if he's on the board to start Round 2, that's probably ideal for their realistic plans at corner. They have three third-round picks, and -- I believe -- would love to add a contributor at the position with one of them to not rely on Travis Hunter as a full-time, outside cornerback.

Cisse would be a steal, though. He's perhaps the most complete, athletic corner in the draft at 6'0", 189 pounds. He just doesn't have the instincts or ball skills of Mansoor Delane, Avieon Terrell, or Jermod McCoy yet.

Delane is the only one of those corners that is a lock to go in Round 1. McCoy might need another knee surgery, and Terrell ran a disastrous 40-yard dash at his pro day due to a hamstring injury.

If only one corner comes off the board on Thursday, Jacksonville could have access to Cisse in the second round, but it'll also push so many corners like D'Angelo Ponds, Daylen Everette, Davison Igbinosun, Chris Johnson, Colton Hood, and Julian Neal down the board. Jacksonville could land an absolute stud in Round 3.

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