Jaguars boost WR depth in NFL Draft, adding Josh Cameron and CJ Williams to support Trevor Lawrence. They strengthen an already promising receiving corps.
Prior to the NFL Draft a position that was not seen as a pressing need for the Jacksonville Jaguars was wide receiver.
With the emergence of Parker Washington, the addition of Jakobi Meyers, the potential of Brian Thomas Jr., and the slipping in of former Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter on occasion, head coach Liam Coen’s wide receiver room seemed to be set heading into next season.
However, Coen and general manager James Gladstone didn’t shy away from equipping quarterback Trevor Lawrence with more passing catching options by trading up in the sixth round to take Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron (No. 191) and then selecting Stanford wide receiver CJ Williams at No. 203.
Picking Cameron and Williams back-to-back in this year’s draft marked the first time the Jaguars took two wide receivers since 2020, when they drafted Laviska Sheanult Jr. and Collin Johnson.
It was also the first draft since 2023 that Jacksonville drafted a wide receiver in the sixth round when they took Washington out of Penn State.
Adding Receiver Depth
In Cameron, the Jaguars are getting one of the most reliable pass catchers in the Big 12 Conference in the last two seasons. A two-time All-Big 12 First-Team selection, Cameron had 170 receptions for 2,236 yards and 19 TDs in his career with the Baylor Bears.
Last season the 6-foot-1, 224-pounder had 69 catches for 872 yards and nine touchdowns.
Cameron is also a threat in the return game, averaging 14.0 yards per punt return during his college career.
His best season as a punt returner came in 2024 when he led the Big 12 in punt return yardage (290 yards) and led all of the FBS in yards per punt return, averaging 20.7 yards per return.
Along with being known for his reliability, Cameron excels after yards after the catch thanks to his compact, but dense build.
After catching just 35 passes in his first three seasons at USC and Wisconsin, Williams was one of the lone bright spots for the Stanford Cardinal in 2025, leading the team in receptions (59), yards (749) and receiving touchdowns (6).
Like Cameron, Williams has a strong frame, which he uses as a jump-ball specialist.
After the draft Gladstone said he is excited to see Cameron and Williams in action.
"He fits the bill for a lot of the things that I've long appreciated in wide receiver play, with both the guys that we drafted at the position,” Gladstone said. “They are extremely tough, extremely good blockers. They are extremely good at attacking the football. So really excited about both him and Josh (Cameron) entering the fray. He is an impressive human being."
History Repeating Itself?
While the list of wide receivers drafted in the sixth round who have gone on to have successful NFL careers is short –Antonio Brown being the best (on the field)– several recent sixth-round wide receiver selections have made a name for themselves.
Along with Washington’s breakout 2025–58 receptions for 847 yards and five touchdowns–sixth round wide receivers have been fruitful for their respective teams.
Since 2022, Jalen Nailor, DeMario Douglas, Washington, Ryan Flournoy, Jordan Whittington, Malik Washington and Jimmy Horn have amassed 494 catches for 5,753 yards and 34 TDs.
Despite being sixth-round picks, Cameron and Williams give the Jaguars even more options that opposing defenses will have to take into account.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!