Happy draft season everyone!
The NFL Combine is underway and draft fever is rising, so I thought I’d drop a far-too-early Jaguars mock for you all to pull apart. With plenty of collateral on Day 2 I would expect some kind of trade movement from James Gladstone on draft weekend. But with two months to go and free agency primed to have a huge impact there’s too much unknowns to entertain trades. So we stick to the ten picks; here’s how I did:
2 (56): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
Probably the biggest need for the Jaguars as things stand, the secondary will be a prime area of focus as this offseason progresses. Finding a bonafide starter in the second round isn’t always guaranteed, but Gladstone and co should be delighted if Johnson is still available at 56…
At 6’0” and 190 lbs, Johnson is a little smaller than ideal for an outside corner. But that doesn’t show up in his play; Johnson can play press or off-man with proficiency and is extremely dangerous in zone, where his click and close speed can be used to full effect. Possibly the most athletic corner in this class, Johnson’s ball hawking skills were on show in 2025, where he took two of his four interceptions back for touchdowns.
3 (81): Darrell Jackson Jr, DT, Florida State
The Jags enjoyed strong performances from Arik Armstead and DaVon Hamilton in 2025. But the defensive interior room is thin, and Armstead is 33, entering his final year and the subject of trade rumors.
One name that offers starter potential in the third round could be FSU’s Darrell Jackson, a two-year starter for the Seminoles who thrived against the run but also flashed the ability to get into the backfield. His size and play strength translate well to the NFL, and whilst he’s not the most explosive tackle in this draft his motor and tenacity, coupled with his measurables, suggest he could be a ten-year pro.
3 (88): Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
With Devin Lloyd hitting free agency, the Jaguars’ defense will see a big chunk of their 2025 turnover production leave should he head elsewhere. His departure would certainly mean the front office adding linebacker to the list of needs this offseason.
A different type of defender to Lloyd, Rodriguez is just as productive. 255 tackles over the past two years is impressive alone, but the former Red Raider earned All-American status and won the Nagurski and Bednarik awards with four interceptions and seven forced fumbles as a senior. Rodriguez doesn’t have elite measurables, but wins with superior instincts, athleticism, technique and tenacity.
3 (100): Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
It wouldn’t be a Jaguars draft without the selection of a running back. But with Travis Etienne out of contract, Jacksonville will likely need to add to the backfield. We know that Gladstone has a penchant for ball carriers that enjoy seeking contact, and Allen fits the bill.
Sharing the backfield with Nick Singleton at Penn State, many expected Allen to be the fresh legs for the Nittany Lions. Instead, he delivered a 1,300 yard, 15 touchdown season. A north-south, physical runner who prefers to work between the tackles, Allen has an old-school NFL feel to him that suggests he can be a lead back in a run-heavy offense. And whilst he may not be the most elusive running back in the draft, his athleticism at 220 lbs is impressive.
4 (117): Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
Despite the woes in the secondary for the Jaguars this season, one thing they did benefit from was the versatility of guys like Antonio Johnson and Jarrian Jones. Adding another multi-faceted defensive back would definitely make sense considering the potential departure of Dewey Wingard.
Kilgore has a lot of NFL-friendly traits; tall and long but still explosive, the Gamecocks were able to use him as an outside corner, nickel, box safety and single high. Play diagnosis and closing on the football are his strengths, with seven interceptions and 15 pass breakups his final two years at South Carolina.
5 (162): Jordan Hudson, WR, SMU
The mid-season addition of Jakobi Meyers was an inspired trade by James Galdstone, giving the Jaguars pass game a real shot in the arm at the defining moment of the campaign. With Meyers tied down long-term and Parker Washington emerging as a starter in the slot, receiver won’t be a major need this offseason. There are still whispers of Brian Thomas being traded, but depth at the position will be welcomed regardless.
I like Jordan Hudson as an under-the-radar, day three steal who can grow into a rotational role in an offense. The speed won’t blow you away; he’s more sneaky quick and gets separation with guile rather than athleticism. But he’s a jump ball specialist who routinely wins at the catch point, and could become a chain mover from the slot for Trevor Lawrence.
5 (164): JC Davis, OT, Illinois
Cole Van Lanen might just be the best parting gift Trent Baalke gave the Jaguars. With Van Lanen and Anton Harrison on the outside, Jacksonville boasts a pair of starters as good as any in the NFL. But Walker LIttle’s inconsistency and inability to stay healthy means identifying a potential backup swing tackle would be prudent.
JC Davis would be higher up mock drafts if it weren’t for an untimely foot issue that kept him out of the Senior Bowl. A four year starter on the blindside for New Mexico and then Illinois, the 335lb behemoth made 49 consecutive starts at college, and was ranked by PFF as the number three tackle in the nation last year. There’s some technique to clean up, and limited lateral mobility comes with day three selections. But in terms of value and reliability, this pick makes a lot of sense.
6 (195): Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo
Time to take a flier on an ultra-athletic dude who, if he didn’t play in the MAC, would be gone way before the sixth round.
Andre Fuller turned heads at the East-West Shrine Bowl when he was recorded at 20.50 miles per hour, making him one of the fastest DB’s in the 20256 draft. Add that to a 6’2” frame with elite length, and you can see why the cornerback enjoyed 49 tackles and 11 pass breakups in 2025. There’s some work to be done on his play strength, and he’s not going to give you immediate value in run support. But as a project with the tools to erase speedy outside receivers, there’s a lot to like.
7 (234): Wesley Williams, EDGE, Duke
The final round seems like an ideal time to give the Jaguars some depth to their pass rushing group. A limited athletic and physical profile means Wesley Williams hasn’t enjoyed the shine his production at Duke probably deserves, giving a team some potential day three value.
Williams is technically refined, a constant menace from the edge as the Blue Devils won the ACC in 2025. Hand placement, footwork, and play diagnosis are all elite, often allowing him to win reps early. A high-floor prospect with perhaps a limited ceiling, Williams could contribute early as a backup who won’t let you down when thrust into the action.
7 (246): Anez Cooper, OG, Miami
Anez Cooper is so big, this selection feels like you get two offensive linemen for the price of one. 6’6” and 350lbs, Cooper was a four-year starter for Miami, which itself is a testament to his ability as the Hurricanes marched to the National Championship game behind one of the best o-lines in the nation last year.
Cooper’s ability to wall off interior pressure was a big reason Mark Fletcher exploded for Miami in the playoffs. His size does bring some issues, most notably in pad level and lateral movement. But put him in a phone booth and let his nasty streak thrive, and the Jags might have found some interior depth as the draft creeps to an end.
