Following the Jacksonville Jaguars' Week 2 preseason matchup with the Carolina Panthers, how did the members of the 2026 rookie draft class perform?
Let's take a closer look, along with where each player stands within their respective position groups.
TE Nate Boerkircher
Boerkircher did not play in this preseason game, which highlights the important role he will have right away this season. He will be the No. 2 option at tight end behind Brenton Strange, bringing a blocking-heavy presence to the position, although the Jaguars believe he can impact the passing game as well.
DT Albert Regis
Regis did not play in this preseason matchup either. He is projected to be the backup nose tackle behind DaVon Hamilton. This is a role that won't always fill the stat sheet and is one that can
come with a learning curve, as Liam Coen mentionedrecently.
OL Emmanuel Pregnon
Like Boerkircher and Regis, Pregnon did not play either. He is slated to be the backup left guard and has impressed as of late.
DE Wesley Williams
Williams logged two quarterback pressures, tied for the second-most on the team. The Jaguars are bullish on his play style and ability to impact the run game as well. He may be the fifth option at DE currently, behind Danny Striggow and BJ Green on the depth chart.
TE Tanner Koziol
Koziol played 13 snaps in this game. He didn't have any targets and was on the field for seven run-blocking snaps. Koziol brings a pass-catching-first presence to the tight end position, but Coen mentioned he does have a willingness to also contribute as a blocker.
WR CJ Williams and Josh Cameron
This isn't anything new, with the Jaguars' Day 3 rookies standing out since they arrived in Jacksonville during offseason programs. The duo finished Friday's game with a combined six receptions for 63 yards on somewhat limited playing time. What's also encouraging is that we see them making catches in different parts of the field. That ability will provide Coen with more ways to potentially utilize them.
DE Zach Durfee
Production-wise, it was a quiet game for Durfee. Over 15 defensive snaps, he did not log a single stat, according to PFF. Durfee is on the back end of the DE depth chart, but I would guess that he's flashed enough this summer to make the team.
LB Parker Hughes
Following the preseason opener against New Orleans, Hughes was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Evaluating play of Jaguars' rookies in preseason game v. Panthers
