Jaguars draft pick profiles: Everything to know about LB Parker Hughes

To close out the 2026 NFL draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Middle Tennessee State linebacker Parker Hughes with the 240th overall pick.

Here is a full breakdown with everything you need to know.

Profile

• Height: 6-006
• Weight: 228
• 40-time: 4.39-seconds
• Age: 23

Parker Hughes' bio at Middle Tennessee State

Quick breakdown

Hughes has played 1,910 career defensive snaps over four seasons at Middle Tennessee State. He's been a sound tackler and graded out well against the run by PFF's metrics this past season. In coverage, he held opponents to under 10 yards per catch, coming away with two interceptions and three pass breakups. Hughes has been penalized just once in his career and is very experienced on special teams, playing 586 snaps across five seasons.

Parker Hughes' athletic profile

Scouting report on Parker Hughes

"Athletic and active, Hughes is a three-year starting linebacker who lacks ideal size but possesses impressive straight-line speed. He sees the field well and plays with good instincts post-snap. He saw spikes in tackle production in each successive season and is a better tackle-finisher than expected for having average length. Hughes lacks plus pop in his block take-ons and has fewer tackles for loss than I expected given his downhill style and burst. His ability to cover in space and compete for a special teams role should improve his chances of making a roster." - Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

They said it

GM James Gladstone: "Oh man, there's a ton to point to. The fact that he's somebody who can run very fast, find the football, track it down, and get ball carriers on the ground is going to be really helpful to our cause."

Parker Hughes' fit with the Jaguars

Hughes early contributions will likely come on special teams. In the long run, the Jaguars like his ability to defend the run.

Parker Hughes highlights

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Full breakdown of new Jaguars' LB Parker Hughes