The Jacksonville Jaguars are preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft after a successful 13-4 season as AFC South champions. Key figures like GM James Gladstone and QB Trevor Lawrence are pivotal for the team's future success.
Key points
Jacksonville Jaguars preparing for 2026 NFL Draft
Team finished 2025 season with a 13-4 record
AFC South champions for the third time
Key figures include GM James Gladstone and QB Trevor Lawrence
Expectations have risen for the upcoming season
Mentioned in this story
James GladstoneLiam CoenTony Boselli
Jacksonville JaguarsTrevor Lawrence
The first step for the Jacksonville Jaguars to realize their full potential begins in less than a week during the 2026 NFL Draft.
After a 13-4 season, earning the title of AFC South champions for the third time in team history, Jacksonville hopes its success can continue into the 2026 season.
Under general manager James Gladstone, head coach Liam Coen and executive vice president of football Tony Boselli, the team's standards have shifted, and the expectations have risen dramatically.
One major element of that is the growth of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence, the first-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, appeared to find a groove under Coen during the final 10 weeks of the season in 2025.
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 Jaguarsā 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]
The Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen spoke about Jacksonville native Carson Beck who was quarterback at the Miami Hurricanes last year and at the Georgia Bulldogs before that, during the 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]
Q&A
What is the significance of the 2026 NFL Draft for the Jacksonville Jaguars?
The 2026 NFL Draft is crucial for the Jaguars as it represents their opportunity to build on their recent success and enhance their roster for the upcoming season.
Who are the key figures involved in the Jaguars' 2026 NFL Draft strategy?
Key figures include general manager James Gladstone, head coach Liam Coen, and executive vice president of football Tony Boselli.
How did Trevor Lawrence perform in the 2025 NFL season?
Trevor Lawrence showed significant improvement during the last 10 weeks of the 2025 season, indicating he found a groove under head coach Liam Coen.
What were the Jacksonville Jaguars' achievements in the 2025 NFL season?
The Jaguars finished the 2025 season with a 13-4 record and won the AFC South championship for the third time in their history.
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Jacksonville Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone talks about the process of making a list of who they want to draft and how that changes if another team picks their pick during the Jaguarsā 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]
Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone, left listens as head coach Liam Coen talks about the upcoming NFL draft during the Jacksonville Jaguarsā 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]
Jacksonville Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli laughs after head coach Liam Coen jokingly said that Boselli wants to drafter like 11 offensive lineman in the upcoming NFL Draft during Jaguarsā annual pre-draft luncheon press conference in the media room at the Miller Electric Center Thursday April 9, 2026. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen talked about the upcoming NFL draft during the annual pre-draft luncheon press conference in the media room at the Miller Electric Center Thursday April 9, 2026. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
The Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen spoke about year one and year two as the head coach during the 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]
Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone, left listens as head coach Liam Coen talked about Trevon Walker during the Jacksonville Jaguarsā 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]
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has a laugh with the media after Jacksonville Jaguarsā 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]
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 Jaguarsā 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]
Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone talked about the upcoming NFL Draft during the Jacksonville Jaguarsā 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]
Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone talked about the upcoming NFL Draft during the Jacksonville Jaguarsā 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]
Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone, left and Jaguars head coach Liam Coen talked about the upcoming NFL Draft with the media during the Jacksonville Jaguarsā 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]
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Jacksonville Jaguars talk about upcoming NFL Draft
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 Jaguarsā 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]
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Jacksonville Jaguars talk about upcoming NFL Draft
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 Jaguarsā 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]
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Jacksonville Jaguars talk about upcoming NFL Draft
The Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen spoke about Jacksonville native Carson Beck who was quarterback at the Miami Hurricanes last year and at the Georgia Bulldogs before that, during the 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]
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Jacksonville Jaguars talk about upcoming NFL Draft
Jacksonville Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone talks about the process of making a list of who they want to draft and how that changes if another team picks their pick during the Jaguarsā 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]
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Jacksonville Jaguars talk about upcoming NFL Draft
Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone, left listens as head coach Liam Coen talks about the upcoming NFL draft during the Jacksonville Jaguarsā 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]
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Jacksonville Jaguars talk about upcoming NFL Draft
Jacksonville Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli laughs after head coach Liam Coen jokingly said that Boselli wants to drafter like 11 offensive lineman in the upcoming NFL Draft during Jaguarsā annual pre-draft luncheon press conference in the media room at the Miller Electric Center Thursday April 9, 2026. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
6 / 13
Jacksonville Jaguars talk about upcoming NFL Draft
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen talked about the upcoming NFL draft during the annual pre-draft luncheon press conference in the media room at the Miller Electric Center Thursday April 9, 2026. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
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Jacksonville Jaguars talk about upcoming NFL Draft
The Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen spoke about year one and year two as the head coach during the 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]
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Jacksonville Jaguars talk about upcoming NFL Draft
Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone, left listens as head coach Liam Coen talked about Trevon Walker during the Jacksonville Jaguarsā 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]
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Jacksonville Jaguars talk about upcoming NFL Draft
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has a laugh with the media after Jacksonville Jaguarsā 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]
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Jacksonville Jaguars talk about upcoming NFL Draft
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 Jaguarsā 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]
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Jacksonville Jaguars talk about upcoming NFL Draft
Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone talked about the upcoming NFL Draft during the Jacksonville Jaguarsā 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]
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Jacksonville Jaguars talk about upcoming NFL Draft
Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone talked about the upcoming NFL Draft during the Jacksonville Jaguarsā 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]
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Jacksonville Jaguars talk about upcoming NFL Draft
Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone, left and Jaguars head coach Liam Coen talked about the upcoming NFL Draft with the media during the Jacksonville Jaguarsā 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]
Lawrence finished the year after completing 60.9% of his passes for 4,007 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He added nine touchdowns on the ground.
The Jaguars posted a 9-1 record in their final 10 games of the season. In that span, Lawrence completed 62.8% of his passes for 2,387 yards, 20 passing touchdowns, seven interceptions and seven rushing scores.
Now, the team must build on that success. Last year, the Jaguars went for a big fish in selecting cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter following a trade up in the Top 5 of the NFL Draft.
The team saw contributions from multiple picks, including seventh-round selection, running back LeQuint Allen to go along with multiple earlier picks including, S/special teamer Rayuan Lane III, RB Bhayshul Tuten and center Jonah Monheim.
Hunter, third-round pick DB Caleb Ransaw, third rounder OL Wyatt Milum and sixth-round pick LB Jalen McLeod dealt with injuries that either cut their season short or completely.
So, what's next for Jacksonville? We take a look at everything you need to know ahead of the three-day event.
Where are Jaguars slated to pick in 2026 NFL Draft?
Here's Jacksonville NFL Draft ammo as of early April:
January 7, 2026; The 2026 NFL Draft logo is displayed atop the NFL Draft countdown clock.
January 7, 2026; The 2026 NFL Draft logo is displayed atop the NFL Draft countdown clock.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place between April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
**Thursday, April 23:**Round 1
**Friday, April 24:**Rounds 2-3
**Saturday, April 25:**Rounds 4-7
Jaguars enter 2026 NFL Draft without first round pick
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - APRIL 24: Wide Receiver/Cornerback Travis Hunter of Colorado celebrates after being selected second overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - APRIL 24: Wide Receiver/Cornerback Travis Hunter of Colorado celebrates after being selected second overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Jacksonville does not have a first-round pick in this year's draft. The team offloaded the selection last year in a trade with the Cleveland Browns to help facilitate their trade up to the second-overall pick to select Hunter.
Hunter played on both sides of the ball last season before sustaining a season-ending knee injury that required surgery. Hunter is expected to be limited during Organized Team Activities next month, but should be a full-go for training camp in July, Gladstone said at the team's Draft luncheon in April.
The Jaguars may not be picking on Thursday of the Draft, but the team's leadership isn't concerned with it. Both Coen and Galdstone have been in this position before with the Los Angeles Rams. They've experienced worse, actually, if one wants to phrase it that way.
In 2022, when Coen and Gladstone were with L.A., the team did not make a selection until late in the third round, starting with pick No. 104. So, it won't be that much of a bore for the team's top brass during the three-day affair.
"We get to cut that in half a little bit. ... Youāre always going to stay agile. You're never bored. You're always thinking through what we might be able to do," Gladstone said. "I think that mental gymnastics certainly is an engaging element regardless of where your first pick point is."
We could see Jacksonville trade up into the first round, but that appears unlikely as of today.
Last 10 Jaguars second-round picks
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Maason Smith (94) stretches during an NFL training camp seventh session at the Miller Electric Center, Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Maason Smith (94) stretches during an NFL training camp seventh session at the Miller Electric Center, Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
Since Jacksonville does not have a first round pick and will be selecting on Friday for Rounds two and three on Friday, April 24, we took a look at the team's last 10 second-round picks:
Who was the best second-round pick in Jaguars history?
Jacksonville has had a long history of successful second-round picks. That includes players such as Strange, Lloyd, Little, Robinson and Jack to name some in recent history. But, the team's second round success goes back decades.
It was then when Jacksonville landed several players who could be considered some of the best Jaguars in franchise history, let along second round picks.
But, two players stand alone, at least according to Pro Football Reference. The democratization of sports data website grades players by Approximate Value, which is a method to put a single number on the seasonal value of a player at any position from any year.
To judge a player's career, the website uses Weighted Career AV, which balances peak production against raw career totals. AV gives weight to number of seasons started, number of Pro Bowls and other accolades.
For Jacksonville, their top two second-round picks of all time are Jones-Drew and Meester. Both players have a wAV of 74, ranking third and fourth all-time among drafted players for Jacksonville. For reference, the team's top player is RB Fred Taylor, who played for Jacksonville from 1998 to 2008.
Both Jones-Drew and Meester are worthy. From 2006-13, Jones-Drew proved to be one of the most dynamic players in Jaguars history, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt in his Jaguars career, including 8071 rushing yards and 68 touchdowns. He caught 335 passes for 2,873 yards and 11 scores.
Meester is the team's record holder for most games played in a Jaguars uniform with 209, proving to be one of the league's toughest iron men, starting for three different coaching staffs in Jacksonville in his career.
What they said: Liam Coen, James Gladstone talk 2026 NFL Draft
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 Jaguarsā 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]
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 Jaguarsā 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]
Both Coen and Gladstone shared their thoughts on the upcoming NFL Draft and the team's goals throughout the three-day event. While the duo was guarded, as teams often are this time of year, they still gave a couple of quotes that could pique the fans' interest.
Coen on the team's process this year compared to last:
"A little less frantic I guess you could call it in terms of how fast everything happened last year, getting not just scouting staff onboarded, but the coaches then onboarded to new procedures and modes of operation. I think some of the familiarity has helped the flow in the way that we operate on a day-to-day basis, the schedule, the routine, what the coaches expect. That's been very clear and concise throughout the process. I think it's just allowed us to maybe get to different or deeper dialogue maybe a little bit quicker on some of the guys that we're really honing in on."
Gladstone on better understanding the team's roster in 2026:
"That's the most helpful piece, being able to accelerate a lot of the conversations where at this point in time last year we were in true discovery mode. We were learning on the fly. Now we get to leverage all the information and experiences we've had with everybody on our football team up to this point as part of our decision making. It allows those conversations, like Liam said, to be a bit deeper, get a little bit further into it in a more efficient manner."
Who are the Jaguars' options at pick No. 56?
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) is pressured by Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) during the third quarter of an NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia defeated Florida 43-20.
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) is pressured by Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) during the third quarter of an NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia defeated Florida 43-20.
The Jaguars will head into this month's draft with numerous paths to take without nearly as large of a pool of players to choose from Jacksonville had been accustomed to.
After the team's quiet free agency period and extensions given to starting defenders, CB Montaric Brown and DE Travon Walker, a lot of the team's pressing needs are more clear. Still, that doesn't mean that Jacksonville's potential pick can't result in doubling up on position groups that are strong already on the team.
Let's take a look at five players who would make sense for Jacksonville to select with their slated first pick in this month's Draft:
Analysis: Jacksonville's needs are apparent at defensive tackle and linebacker, while EDGE No. 3, running back and safety are positions the team will need to figure out ahead, during and after this season. Acquiring talent a year ahead, especially in this year's draft, will be of the utmost importance.
