JACKSONVILLE – One day remains, with two in the rearview.
The Jaguars on Friday followed up a silent Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting four players in the second and third rounds – making for a productive Day 2 with an emphasis on the lines and physicality.
Four Jaguars media members – senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, senior reporter/editor J.P. Shadrick and team reporter/producer Kainani Stevens – will share an observation following each day of the 2026 NFL draft in which the team has a selection.
Day 2 observations:
Oehser: The Jaguars weren't flashy Friday, but that's OK: Good, forward-thinking franchises don't draft flash. They concern themselves with building solid rosters and solidifying positions, which is what Friday was about around the Miller Electric Center. The Jaguars' four selections Friday: Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher (No. 56 overall), Texas A&M defensive tackle Albert Regis (No. 81 overall), Oregon offensive guard Emmanuel Pregnon (No. 88 overall) and Maryland safety Jalen Huskey (No. 100). This was about getting tougher, more physical, improving in the run game and adding pieces in key places. Pregnon and 2025 third-round guard Wyatt Milum give the Jaguars two young, developing interior offensive linemen – and Boerkircher should give the Jaguars the ability to play the 12 and 13 heavy tight end packages toward which the NFL is rapidly trending. Huskey gives the Jaguars depth at a talented, improving safety position where the Jaguars often employ three players at a time in Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile's scheme. This wasn't a flashy, sexy Day 2. Rather, it was efficient with a purpose – and that's how good franchises approach the draft.
Sexton: The Jags were the sexiest of teams in the 2025 NFL Draft, trading up to select wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter No. 2 overall. They were anything but sexy Friday night, drafting a tight end who was primarily a blocker in college, a fireplug of a run-stuffing defensive tackle, an All-American offensive guard, and a safety. Guard, safety and blocking tight end are widely considered by observers to be lunchpail positions, but the Jaguars want to beat teams at the line of scrimmage and they want to beat them up over the course of four quarters. Boerkircher, Regis and Pregnon qualify – and the word on safety Jalen Huskey is he likes to hit anything that crosses his path whether it's a wide receiver or a running back. This draft is about the future foundation of the franchise, not unlike the work they're doing on the Stadium of the Future across the parking lot: Tough guys who do the dirty work that most people don't pay attention to -- but that you cannot win without.
Shadrick: The Jaguars used the "stick-and-pick" method on Day 2, making all four of the selections they had entering Friday. They did work the phones ahead of the second-round selection at No. 56 to try to move up, but nothing was working to move. All four players acquired have the Jaguars DNA - a love of football, physicality and plenty of playing experience. I'm excited to see what kind of depth Regis brings to a defensive line that needs a little more push from the interior. Boerkircher and Pregnon are perfect additions that can compete for key roles early in their careers, and be ready to contribute on a regular basis in the future. The way Huskey plays seems like a great addition to a secondary that has plenty of new faces over the last year or so.
Stevens: Jaguars fans had to wait longer than usual to find out who the Jags' first selection would be and all likely were surprised by the name that was called. A blocking tight end is hardly a sexy pick, but it was the first domino of many for General Manager James Gladstone on Friday night. The Jags rounded out Day 2 with a defensive tackle, an offensive lineman and a safety. Toughness and experience were clearly the focus with the picks Friday. It's important to remember the new regime is only one year into this thing. Gladstone and Head Coach Liam Coen are still working with a large group of players that they inherited. That means the perceived fans' "needs" for the Jaguars are likely vastly different than Gladstones' "needs" for this roster. With seven more picks coming up on Saturday, there could be more surprises for the fans in the later rounds.
