Jacksonville enters the 2026 NFL Draft looking to improve key areas of need as it builds off of a promising first season under Liam Coen and James Gladstone. With the young team looking to build on its playoff season, this draft strikes a balance between NFL-ready talent and high-upside developmental pieces.

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Round 2, Pick 51: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

With the 51st pick, the Jaguars select Cashius Howell. Howell has first-round talent, and his fall to the middle of the second round represents a tremendous value for Jacksonville. He has recorded 11.5 sacks in just nine games this season, showcasing his ability to disrupt offenses consistently.

The Jaguars currently rank third last in the league in sacks with only 15 total through ten games. Adding Howell gives the team a dynamic pass rusher who can make an impact immediately, rotating behind Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.

Howell’s game is defined by advanced hand-fighting technique. He consistently wins leverage battles using active hands and violent swipes, and his motor runs high from snap one to the final whistle. He pursues plays across the formation with relentless energy and displays scheme versatility by dropping into coverage against tight ends while maintaining awareness in run fits.

His length allows him to control blockers effectively, and his football intelligence ensures he is rarely fooled by misdirection or run-pass options. Howell’s natural bend around the arc and lightning-quick first step make him a consistent threat to quarterbacks, while his variety of pass-rush moves keeps offensive tackles guessing.

Adding Howell would form one of the best edge rotations the league has to offer in Jacksonville, providing stability at a premium position for the Jaguars.

TRADE:

Jacksonville receives: Pick 62
New England receives: Picks 100, 159, 206, and a 2026 third rounder

Round 2, Pick 62: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

The Jaguars traded up to select Dillon Thieneman, a blue-chip safety prospect with rare athleticism. The trade with the Patriots allowed Jacksonville to dump some of their ammo in exchange for a leader who can immediately impact the defense.

The Jaguars have struggled at the safety position with Andrew Wingard, Eric Murray, and Antonio Johnson giving up huge plays weekly. While Caleb Ransaw will be returning from a season-ending injury to improve at the position, the entire room is still full of question marks. Thieneman puts those concerns to rest and instead gives the team hope that safety may become a position of strength over time.

Thieneman runs a 4.35 forty at 207 pounds, demonstrating unique speed for his size and position. Thieneman excels as a tackler with violent intent and outstanding technique. He consistently diagnoses plays quickly, arrives with an exceptional closing burst, and shows remarkable processing speed in reading offensive schemes.

In coverage, his ball tracking and hand-eye coordination are elite, allowing him to make contested catches and disrupt passing lanes. His positional versatility is a significant asset as he can play deep third, split-field coverage, robber, and even slot against tight ends.

Thieneman’s physical mentality and obsessive preparation habits make him a defensive tone-setter and a long-term cornerstone for Jacksonville’s secondary.

Round 3, Pick 82: Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa

With the 82nd pick, the Jaguars select Iowa offensive tackle Gennings Dunker. Dunker has played right tackle and both guard spots in his college career, but he can even thrive as a left tackle at the next level. Here, the Jaguars bring in Dunker to play left tackle, which is a critical need for Jacksonville given Walker Little’s poor performance.

Dunker is a physical mauler who consistently dominates defenders with strength, hand placement, and leg drive. Getting a determined protector to shut down Trevor Lawrence’s blind side is the top priority for the Jaguars this offseason. Dunker plays with authentic nastiness and a relentless motor.

His foot quickness allows him to execute zone blocks effectively, and he demonstrates exceptional intelligence in recognizing defensive alignments and stunts. He consistently creates gaping run lanes and finishes blocks with violent intent. Even when initially beaten, he has excellent recovery skills and can re-anchor against bull rushers.

His combination of power, intelligence, and work ethic makes him a steal in the third round, as he has the talent to climb up into the first round potentially.

Round 3, Pick 83: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

The Jaguars follow up immediately by selecting South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse. With Greg Newsome and Montaric Brown as unrestricted free agents this offseason, the cornerback position is in flux, and Jacksonville will likely need to add more talent. Mainly because the Jaguars currently have no corner in the top 32 of PFSN’s CB Impact Rankings, this is a crucial spot for the team to address.

Cisse is an ascending prospect with excellent coverage ability, with the upside to continue climbing up draft boards. He is explosive, nimble, and demonstrates elite short-area quickness, characterized by propulsive hip sink and lateral range. Cisse shows high-level coordination as a playmaker in coverage and has the temperament to develop into a starter at the next level. His press coverage timing and upper-lower body synchronization need refinement, but his physical tools and football intelligence make him a high-upside pick.

Adding Cisse provides both immediate depth to a position of need and the potential for a long-term starter at corner.

Round 4, Pick 113: Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati

In the 4th round, the Jaguars select Cincinnati defensive tackle Dontay Corleone, nicknamed The Godfather. Corleone may just be the best nose tackle in this draft class, possessing rare athleticism for a 320-pound interior lineman. He combines strength and speed in a way that allows him to disrupt both run and pass plays. Interior defensive line has been a position of need for Jacksonville for years, but Corleone may be the missing piece the franchise has been longing for.

Corleone has a lightning-quick first step for his size and maintains exceptional leverage to anchor against double teams. He demonstrates violent hand technique, explosive power, and sideline-to-sideline pursuit. His versatility allows him to play multiple techniques across the defensive line, and he has a proven ability to stop the run while creating opportunities for pass rushers.

Corleone brings a relentless motor and immediate impact, providing a foundational piece for Jacksonville’s defensive front.

Round 5, Pick 161: Brian Parker II, OG, Duke

With the 161st pick, the Jaguars select Duke guard Brian Parker II. Parker played right tackle in college but projects as a guard at the next level. He provides much-needed competition for Patrick Mekari, who has struggled mightily this year, and has the potential to become a long-term starter.

Parker is known for his anchor strength in pass protection, as he rarely allows defenders to reach the quarterback. He displays elite hand placement and timing, consistently diagnosing stunts and blitzes before they develop. He is a nasty finisher who maintains proper technique through contact and has excellent recovery skills. His lateral agility allows him to mirror inside moves and counter spins effectively, and his mental toughness ensures he competes at a high level against elite pass rushers.

Bringing in another beefy offensive line prospect helps ensure that the Jaguars’ pass protection is no longer a concern holding the offense back.

Round 7, Pick 232: Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina

The Jaguars run to the podium to select Nyck Harbor with the 232nd pick. Harbor has one of the most impressive athletic profiles of all time for a receiver, and he may be the most athletic prospect in the entire class. At 6’5″ and 235 pounds, he runs a 4.24 forty-yard dash, combining size and speed that is unheard of.

Harbor isn’t a complete prospect by any means, but his upside is astronomical. With Jakobi Meyers, Dyami Brown, and Tim Patrick all as unrestricted free agents this offseason, getting a talented deep threat is a must for Jacksonville. While Meyers is expected to be resigned, if the Jaguars move on from Brown and Patrick, Harbor would have the perfect situation to come in and develop as a rotational receiver.

Harbor can dominate contested catches, track deep balls, and create matchup problems for defenders at every level. He runs effectively after the catch and displays surprising lateral agility for his size. He has flashed significantly both as a red-zone target and as a deep threat.

Harbor’s elite athleticism makes him a steal late in the draft and a prospect with significant upside for Jacksonville’s receiving corps.

Round 7, Pick 243: Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State

The Jaguars add the dual-threat signal-caller Cole Payton with the 243rd pick. Payton has a combined 25 touchdowns to just four interceptions in his first season as a starter, with 13 of his touchdowns coming on the ground. He is an intriguing prospect for a backup quarterback role and could be used in creative offensive packages to exploit defensive matchups.

READ MORE: Josh Hines-Allen Makes Franchise History Breaking Jaguars All-Time Record

While he is not a finished product, he has the potential to challenge Nick Mullens for the backup role immediately. His speed, size, and arm strength give him considerable upside as a quarterback, but also with the potential to take on a Taysom Hill-esque role.

Ultimately, this selection provides insurance with upside at quarterback as a unique prospect that could find value on the field, while backing up Lawrence.

Round 7, Pick 247: Charles Jagusah, OL, Notre Dame

The Jaguars conclude the draft with Notre Dame offensive lineman Charles Jagusah. Jagusah is a freak athlete at 6’7″ and 335 pounds with a sub-5.0 40-yard dash time. His impressive wrestling background only makes him more enticing as a prospect with sky-high upside as a developmental prospect.

Jagusah can line up at multiple positions, giving coaches unmatched flexibility. He brings violent hands, exceptional balance, and body control. Despite suffering a broken arm before this season, his raw talent is elite and will undoubtedly earn him a call on draft night.

Jagusah has the potential to grow into a key contributor on the offensive line and eventually could end up being a steal committed this late in the draft.