Oftentimes, the biggest catalyst behind improvement for an NFL team from one year to the next is internal growth and development. The 2026 Jacksonville Jaguars will be no different.
Following a 13-4 season, which included winning the AFC South and making the playoffs, unlike last offseason, we aren’t seeing sweeping changes being made to this roster. In fact, it’s been a very quiet free agency period for the Jaguars.
The opportunity to bolster the roster, add competition, and find some impact help still exists in the NFL draft, where the Jaguars have 11 picks, including four in the top 100.
However, chances are, the biggest improvements will have to come from those already on the roster, specifically, members of the 2025 NFL draft class. Typically, from Year 1 to Year 2 is where NFL players make the greatest jump, and several members of last year’s draft class making that leap would do wonders for this Jaguars team.
So which of those players from last year’s draft class can have the greatest impact on the 2026 season? Of course, at the top of the list is Travis Hunter, given his talent and that he plays both sides of the ball. But going beyond that selection, which other Jaguars’ 2025 draft picks can help elevate the 2026 team?
Our Jaguars Wire staff weighed in.
RB Bhayshul Tuten
Bhayshul Tuten already made a big splash during training camp and in preseason during his rookie year. Despite being a later draft pick, he exceeded all expectations – so much so that Tank Bigsby was sent packing.
His rookie season was good, albeit not spectacular, but that’s no surprise. He was a strong RB2 behind Travis Etienne, and further cemented the notion that he is Jacksonville’s future at the running back position. Now, with Etienne gone, he is poised to have a huge breakout season. He is an explosive running back with incredible speed, and is a decent receiver, too, making him the complete package for any offense. Fans should expect big things from this sophomore in 2026. – Casandra Chesser
OL Wyatt Milum
Milum isn’t even guaranteed a starting spot along the offensive line this season. So his impact this year could be minimal. But on a Jaguars team last season that embraced competition along the offensive line, I would guess that he will get the opportunity to compete for starting snaps at one of the guard positions.
If Milum were to earn those starting reps, he would have the opportunity to help elevate the play of the entire Jaguars’ offense. As productive as this unit was down the stretch last season, Jacksonville still struggled to churn out steady yards in the run game.
If Milum’s presence can help elevate the play of the interior offensive line in the run game, that then has a trickle-down effect to the rest of the offense. That means staying ahead of the sticks and out of predictable passing situations, it means more play-action opportunities, and generally speaking, it opens up the playbook for Liam Coen and Trevor Lawrence. When an offense is regularly operating from short down-and-distances, that unit has the upper hand over a defense.
So while any potential impact that Milum might have won’t show up on the stat sheet, his presence, and being the player that the Jaguars believe he can be, could help the offense reach a new level.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Non-Travis Hunter 2025 draft pick for Jaguars who can have greatest impact
Reporting by Paul Bretl and Casandra Chesser, Jaguars Wire / Jaguars Wire
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