Jaguars rookie Emmanuel Pregnon brings power, but must refine pass blocking to dominate the NFL. Can the former Oregon guard elevate his game?
The Oregon Ducks appear to have a question mark on an otherwise led roster for the upcoming season.
Oregon needs its patchwork offensive line to be more stable than it was during the 2025 season. The Ducks struggled against Texas Tech's star-studded defensive line in the College Football Playoff and in two games against Indiana.
The Ducks lost a key offensive lineman from last season when the Jacksonville Jaguars took Emmanuel Pregnon in the third round with the No. 88 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Field Yates of ESPN named the pick as one of his favorites from the third round. However, he noted Pregnon must get better at blocking pass-rushers if he wants to be an elite guard in the league.
"If you're looking to get more physical and tougher, Pregnon is your type of guard," Pregnon wrote. "He has heavy hands, broad shoulders, and a bulldozer mentality in the running game.
"Pregnon will have to improve his quickness at handling pass rushers, but he has a good starter kit of tools to work with. He spent six years at the college level, finishing with one season at Oregon."
Jaguars head coach Liam Coen likes the size the offensive line is getting with Pregnon. The six-foot-five, 318-pound interior offensive lineman has the build that should be able to move defensive tackles at the next level.
"He's the type of player who adds mass inside," Coen said, via the Jaguars.
"That's something we've been continuously evaluating – getting bigger, faster, stronger, and tougher. That's something he does for us. You look at it in the pass protection and in the run game, getting bigger … I like that."
Pregnon, 24, should certainly help with the running game, something the Jaguars finished 20th out of 32 teams for the 2025 campaign.
However, Jacksonville needs its offensive line to protect quarterback Trevor Lawrence if it wants to make the next step and contend for a Super Bowl.
After six seasons in college, Pregnon will come to the Jaguars with experience. If the Jaguars staff can develop his pass-blocking abilities, he could become one of the better guards in the league quickly.