Andrew Buller-Russ
Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone is the NFL’s youngest GM. After seeing how the Jaguars handled the 2026 NFL Draft, some might say his inexperience showed this past weekend.
To be fair, this team was already behind the 8-ball, entering the weekend without a first-round draft pick after last year’s trade up for Travis Hunter. Jacksonville’s first draft selection didn’t come until the 56th overall pick, when they selected tight end Nate Boerkircher, who was projected to be a fourth-round pick by NFL.com and The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler.
It didn’t get better from there, yet the Jaguars still had nine other selections to make.
Recently, Essentially Sports’ NFL insider Tony Pauline called the Boerkircher pick “head-scratching.” He also called the team’s fifth-round pick, DT Albert Regis, a “reach.”
“When running back Jadarian Price came off the board with the last pick of Round 1, they stood pat and made tight end Nate Boerkircher their initial choice with the 56th selection. This is a head-scratcher to me as there were several better tight ends available, and I don’t see Boerkircher as anything better than a No. 2 at the position. Tanner Koziol, the tight end they took in Round 5, was a better value in my opinion. Defensive tackle Albert Regis was also a reach in Round 3, as he has limited growth and upside potential.”
Essentially Sports’ Tony Pauline on Jaguars’ draft haul
While some of their selections drew heavy criticism, Pauline liked a few of the team’s other selections, but even some of those come with flaws.
“On the other hand, Emmanuel Pregnon could turn into a steal from that same frame, as he’s a dominant, drive-blocking guard who is relatively effective on the move,” Pauline wrote. “Why did he slip? People at USC told me Pregnon could be difficult, while others say he’s often slow picking up offensive schemes. Still, it was well worth a roll of the dice for Jacksonville. Safety Jalen Huskey and edge rusher Wesley Williams are two players I like, but I believe they would’ve been available later in the draft. Josh Cameron could be a steal in Round 6, as he’s sure-handed and productive, but he lacks speed and has a funky body type.”
Overall, Pauline gave the Jaguars a C- grade. Meanwhile, Brugler actually ranked the Jaguars dead-last, suggesting Jacksonville’s draft class was the “worst” in the NFL this year.
Of course, NFL Draft grades mean nothing in the immediate aftermath. What really matters is how the class is viewed, one, two, or even five years from now, when we’ll be able to better assess their actual impact rather than predicted outcomes.
Related: 2026 NFL Draft Day 2: Winners, Losers from Rounds 2 and 3
