Many draft analysts were underwhelmed by the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2026 NFL draft class, but what do those within league circles think?
The Athletic’s Mike Sando recently provided insight into all 32 draft classes after speaking with anonymous executives, and their thoughts seem to mirror those who handed out post-draft grades.
“I did not like what Jacksonville did at all,” one exec said to Sando. “Their picks reflect numbers — workouts, pro days, that kind of stuff — more than the film. ‘We are going to be smarter than everybody else.’ It was a traits draft for them.”
The criticism of the Jaguars’ draft class is, in part, due to the perception that they reached for several of their selections. In terms of draft class value, which is based on where each prospect was taken relative to their consensus ranking, the Jaguars ranked last in the NFL.
“Jacksonville, they just absolutely have to have (tight end) Nate Boerkircher — like, they freaking gotta have him,” another exec told Sando. “OK, going with more tight ends is en vogue now. How long will that be the case? What you are seeing is a lot of teams solving yesterday’s problems.”
The Jaguars and GM James Gladstone, of course, have a clear vision for these selections. As one example of that, Bucky Brooks explained recently, that with the NFL’s high usage of split-safety looks on defense, it can be combatted by having a strong presence at the tight end position.
As Gladstone described after Day 2, the team added players “who fit the bill” for what the Jaguars are looking for on and off the field. Gladstone was able to “level up” a few different areas the team wanted to prioritize addressing.
And not to be overlooked, either, but Jacksonville didn’t enter the draft with many pressing needs, which provided Gladstone with the flexibility to go in different directions with his selections.
Under Gladstone, the Jaguars also prioritize bringing in prospects who are “intangibly rich,” possessing a certain play style and mentality, which could result in Jacksonville going off script compared to what many believe they should do. But the belief is that in the right environment, those players can reach new heights and elevate those around them.
“I thought there was going to be a lot of tight ends drafted as a result of Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan and Ben Johnson schemes,” a third exec said to Sando. “I really like Boerkircher, and it’s funny how much heat Jacksonville was getting for their draft. I like that their GM is being kind of arrogant about it. That is more the theater of the whole thing.”
The Jaguars will chart their own course under Gladstone and are “strategically bold” when it makes sense to do so. This draft is the latest example of that. Ultimately the results on the field will dictate whether this draft was a success.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Execs weigh in on Jaguars’ 2026 NFL draft class
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire / Jaguars Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
