Franchise First: Jaguars Sit Out Round One of the NFL Draft

TL;DR

For the first time in its 32-year history, the Jacksonville Jaguars did not make a pick in the opening round of the NFL Draft. This reflects a new strategy under General Manager James Gladstone, prioritizing long-term planning over immediate selections.

Key points

Jaguars did not make a pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.
This is the first time in the franchise's 32-year history.
The decision reflects a new strategy under General Manager James Gladstone.
The Jaguars traded their first-round pick in the Travis Hunter deal.
The team is adopting a draft philosophy similar to the Los Angeles Rams.

Jacksonville JaguarsCleveland BrownsLos Angeles Rams

Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone, left and head coach Liam Coen joked when asked how Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli effects their draft picks during the Jacksonville Jaguars’ annual pre-draft luncheon press conference in the media room at the Miller Electric Center Thursday April 9, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images No pick? No problem! That seems to be the new normal for the new regime in Jacksonville. As Thursday night in Pittsburgh came and went without the Jacksonville Jaguars calling a name and with it, a quiet piece of franchise history went into the record books. For the first time in the 32-year history of the team, the organization did not make a pick in the opening round of the NFL Draft. The first round offered Jacksonville fans something somewhat unexpected for past years, NFL Draft day one clarity. With the Cleveland Browns using the pick surrendered in the Travis Hunter trade to select wide receiver KC Concepcion, Jaguars fans now have a much clearer picture of the full cost of that 2025 draft trade up. But beyond the draft capital accounting, Thursday night also offered something broader for the Jacksonville fanbase, starving for draft day action: a glimpse into what it may look like to root for a franchise run by James Gladstone. A front office willing to sit out the first round entirely, trust the process, and allow the board to come to them is a different kind of operation than what Jacksonville fans have generally been accustomed to, and Thursday night made that abundantly clear. Additionally, the team never seemed close to making a deal to enter the first round action via a trade up. “We had some calls earlier in the day to gauge what paths could exist should they present themselves,” Gladstone stated following the draft. “Nothing transpired even in real time that would have been worth it.” For context, sitting out the first round is nothing new for the organization that shaped Gladstone’s front office philosophy. The under Les Snead became synonymous with trading away first-round picks, treating early draft capital as currency to be spent on veteran talent, rather than selections to be hoarded to be used in the draft. The Rams didn’t make one first-round pick from 2017 to 2023 due to multiple trades, including the trade (where Jacksonville received 2020 and 2021 first-round picks) and the trade (2022 and 2023 picks lost). Prior to this year’s draft, only one selection had been made by the LA franchise over the past nine years: in 2024. Actually using first-round pick in a Snead or Gladstone-led operation is a genuine rarity, and Thursday night in Pittsburgh was simply the latest reminder that Jacksonville is now operating from that same blueprint. It may be time to truly get comfortable with quiet opening NFL Draft nights, Duval. This could be a new normal in North Florida.

Q&A

Why didn't the Jaguars make a pick in the first round of the NFL Draft?

The Jaguars chose to sit out the first round as part of a new strategy under General Manager James Gladstone, focusing on long-term planning.

What trade led to the Jaguars not having a first-round pick?

The Jaguars surrendered their first-round pick in the Travis Hunter trade, which was used by the Cleveland Browns to select wide receiver KC Concepcion.

How does the Jaguars' draft strategy compare to the Rams?

Similar to the Los Angeles Rams under Les Snead, the Jaguars are treating draft capital as currency, often prioritizing veteran talent over first-round selections.

What does this mean for the future of the Jaguars' draft approach?

The Jaguars' decision to sit out the first round may indicate a shift towards a more patient and strategic draft approach, potentially becoming the new normal for the franchise.