Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars were in need of massive upgrades on the offensive line, they couldn't pass up the chance to draft Emmanuel Pregnon in the 2026 NFL Draft. While they didn't get high grades for most of their other picks, the Jags did get plenty of praise for Pregnon, with some analysts even calling him the steal of Day 2.
The rookie hog mollie can play either left or right guard. This should increase his odds of potentially starting in 2026. On the other hand, this may not turn out to be great news for veteran Patrick Mekari.
The Jaguars could bench Patrick Mekari in favor of Emmanuel Pregnon
Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union drew up 15 offseason questions about the Jaguars and argued that Patrick Mekari could lose his job to rookie Emmanuel Pregnon, pointing out that the team's brass may be more worried about him than they let on.
"I have more concerns about Mekari than the Jaguars are saying externally," O'Halloran wrote in response to whether Emmanuel Pregnon could challenge veteran Ezra Cleveland for the starting job. "Remember, Mekari didn't finish the last two games he started (Week 16 at Denver and the playoff game against Buffalo9 because of a back injury."
O'Halloran continued, "Pregnon started 39 games at left guard and 12 at right guard in college. At the scouting combine, he led all guards in hand size (11 inches) and vertical jump (35 inches). If Pregnon outplays Mekari, he will start."
Mekari was the Jaguars' prized free agent acquisition in 2025. After spending six seasons with the free agents, he signed a three-year deal worth $35 million with Jacksonville. One of his biggest appeals is that the Westline Village, California native had lined up at every position on the offensive line. And after settling at left guard in 2024, he moved to right guard with the Jags.
However, Mekari struggled with the switch, giving up 34 total pressures and posting a paltry Pro Football Grade of 51.8. Some of his struggles were due to injuries, so he can legitimately bounce back next season. That said, there's an equal chance he won't. Couple that with the fact that Emmanuel Pregnon will push him in the offseason program, and Mekari could definitely lose his job.
Circling back to O'Halloran's original question, it's hard to see Pregnon supplanting Ezra Cleveland at guard even though that was where he primarily lined up in college. Unlike Mekari, he fared well last year. That said, the scenario shouldn't be entirely ruled out.
After all, Cleveland is entering the last year of a three-year deal he signed in 2024. If the team's brass likes what it sees on either Pregnon or sophomore Wyatt Milum, Cleveland could be traded either before the regular season or at the deadline.
The Jaguars have a potential O-Line mainstay in Emmanuel Pregnon
The Jaguars were surely thrilled to see Emmanuel Pregnon slide to Round 3 of the draft. They were certainly effusive about him being available, with head coach Liam Coen using a hilarious description to state just how dominant the former Oregon Duck is.
Already, Pregnon is generating plenty of hype. Of course, he must prove that he deserves to start on the field, but he should definitely have a chance.
The truth is that the Jaguars want to be a tougher team in the trenches. Emmanuel Pregnon should help with that, but with the side effect that Patrick Mekari could lose his job.
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