Jaguars focus on size and depth in 2026 NFL Draft, adding balanced offense and defense despite no first-round pick, led by TE Nate Boerkircher selection
The Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t have the splashiest draft but did have a productive 2026 draft by loading up on size and depth.
Although the reigning AFC South Division champs didn’t have a first round pick in this year’s draft after trading up to take former Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter in 2025, Jacksonville opted for balance by selecting five offensive players and five defensive players.
Although there was much speculation that general manager James Gladstone would be looking more to the defense and rumors swirled about possibly trading into the first round prior to this year’s draft held in Pittsburgh, the Jaguars not only sat out of the first round, but added an offensive piece with their first pick in the second round.
After waiting through the first 55 selections Jacksonville shocked many pundits and fans alike by selecting Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher with its first pick in the draft at No. 56. Despite some questioning the pick, Gladstone said the 6-foot-4, 245-pound Boerkircher will be a valuable asset next season and into the future.
"As we look forward to the next evolution of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and our team in 2026, it's going to involve heavier tight end groupings," Gladstone said after the selection. "That can tap into the current trend in the NFL and Nate offers that."
Boerkircher had just 19 receptions for the Aggies last season but does add much-needed depth to the tight end room.
Gladstone followed up his one round two selection by adding to both lines of scrimmage in round three after taking Boerkircher’s A&M teammate defensive tackle Albert Regis (6-foot-1, 290 pounds) at No. 81 and then selecting Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon (6-foot-4, 314 pounds) at No. 88.
With the final selection of round three and the second day of the draft, Gladstone turned back to the defense, picking up Maryland cornerback Jalen Huskey at No. 100.
On the final day of the 2026 draft Gladstone got to work early by making the first of his two trades on the day, making a trade with the Carolina Panthers to move up from No. 124 to No. 119 to select Duke defensive end Wesley Willilams. In the sixth round Gladstone again traded up, this time with the New England Patriots from No. 196 to No. 191, to pick Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron.
In all, the Jaguars made six picks in rounds four through seven. Along with Williams and Cameron, Jacksonville added Houston tight end Tanner Koziol (No. 164), Stanford wide receiver CJ Williams (No. 203), Washington EDGE Zach Durfee (No. 233) and Middle Tennessee linebacker Parker Hughes (No. 240).
Combined, the 2026 Jaguars’ draft class played in 455 career games with four of those players with more than 50 games in their college careers (Boerkircher, Regis, Pregnon, Cameron).
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