Jaguars boost pass rush in Mel Kiper Jr.'s 2-round 2026 NFL mock draft

Long-time ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has put together his final mock draft of the 2026 draft cycle, and it's a two-rounder, so the Jacksonville Jaguars are included.

As Kiper notes, to make these predictions, he is leaning on team needs, his own evaluations, and what he's hearing from conversations with those around the NFL.

Jaguars pick Michigan OLB Jaishawn Barham in mock draft

Barham measures in at 6-03 and is a bit on the lighter side for a defensive end, weighing 240 pounds. But with that comes impressive speed and good burst, with Barham posting a 4.64-second 40-time and 10-03 on the broad jump.

"The Jaguars don't have a first-round pick, but they do have 11 total selections," Kiper wrote. "So, they have the chance to attack some needs. One of them is edge rusher, as they ranked 27th in sacks last season (32). Barham is an intriguing player to watch on Day 2, and he could be a good fit in Jacksonville. He had four sacks and 23 pressures last season."

Barham is an experienced player, with over 2,000 career defensive snaps. He's had steady production during his four seasons, logging 20 to 21 pressures each year. Over the last two seasons, he has been one of PFF's highest graded run defenders among his position group.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote that Barham is a bit "raw" as a pass rusher, but he has showcased impressive explosiveness, and the "missing elements" to his game at the moment are teachable.

As Kiper notes, defensive end is a need for the Jaguars. Although the team has Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker under contract for the next few seasons, the depth behind them needs a boost, with only BJ Green and Danny Striggow under contract as of now.

More steady pass rush production in the defensive end rotation behind Hines-Allen and Walker is needed in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Jaguars pick Michigan's Jaishawn Braham in mock