The Jacksonville Jaguars eye defensive upgrades. Without a first-round draft pick, they must find gems like Bud Clark and A.J. Haulcy to bolster their secondary.
Coming off a 2025 campaign with a 13-4 record and an early exit from the playoffs, the Jacksonville Jaguars now turn their attention to the upcoming NFL combine.
The combine takes place in Indianapolis from Feb. 23-March 1; the NFL draft is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
The Jaguars have needs that will fall to Day 2 of the NFL draft, because, barring a trade, Jacksonville does not have a first-round pick. With eight draft picks, the Jaguars will address their needs at the following positions: cornerback, offensive line, defensive line, and safety.
Three players have raised their draft stock considerably coming off the 2025 college football season: Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood and safeties Bud Clark, of TCU, and A.J. Haulcy, out of LSU.
Bud Clark
A second-team All-Big 12 selection, Clark was fourth on the team in tackles with 56 stops. He also recorded four interceptions and returned one for a touchdown. Clark logged 214 career tackles and 15 interceptions. During Senior Bowl week, Clark impressed scouts with his coverage skills and overall football ability.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Clark earned coverage grade of 90 and an overall grade of 89, which ranks among the top three at his position. He posted a season-high 13 tackles in a win over West Virginia.
A.J. Haulcy
Haulcy was a transfer from Houston last season and finished second on the Tiger team in tackles, with 88. He also intercepted three passes, broke up four passes and forced a fumble. For his efforts, Haulcy was named first-team All-SEC and is considered a top-50 draft prospect by PFF. For the 2025 season, Haulcy earned a coverage grade of 88.6 and a pass defense grade of 77.9.
Colton Hood
Hood is projected as a second- or third-round draft pick and might be the answer to the Jaguars need at cornerback as the best player available. He was a third-team All-SEC selection, and his PFF coverage grade of 83.3 was the second-highest in the league. Hood is considered an elite defender, and he posted 50 tackles, one interception and eight pass breakups for the Volunteers last season.
Trades happen all the time on draft day, and the Jaguars may have to wheel and deal to get in position to select the caliber of players like Clark or Haulcy.
The Jaguars allowed 218 yards per game through the air, and were one of the best in the league at forcing turnovers. That is a night and day difference from their 2024 performance as one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
These top draft prospects will have to sell themselves to NFL personnel one more time at the combine. The draft process started last week in Mobile, Alabama, at the Senior Bowl, and it continues later this month in Indianapolis.
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