JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars experts – Frank Frangie, Brent Martineau, Kainani Stevens, John Oehser, Brian Sexton, John Shipley, J.P. Shadrick, Mark Duffner and Austen Lane – are breaking down the Jaguars as the 2026 NFL season approaches; today: Key areas to watch entering the '26 season

John Oehser, jaguars.com senior writer

• Biggest concern entering '26: Defensive interior pressure. The Jaguars' defensive interior is good, and DaVon Hamilton ranks among the NFL's best nose tackles. But the Jaguars need better pressure and disruption from this group overall in passing situations. They got adequate pressure from the edge last season, and end Josh Hines-Allen played at a near-Pro Bowl level much of the season. But the Jaguars need better interior pressure so that quarterbacks can't step up and away from Hines-Allen and end Travon Walker. One possibility here: Using Walker more as an interior rusher in passing situations, something they did late last season at times to positive effects as Walker recovered from knee and wrist injuries. This is a good defense. Getting better pressure – and better overall pass rush in key situations – could make it great.

Mark Duffner, former longtime NFL/Jaguars assistant coach and Jaguars Media Analyst

• Biggest concern entering '26: The health of the offensive line, particularly left tackle Cole Van Lanen. When does he actively return to full participation? Can he practice versus opponent practice sessions? Play in preseason games? I don't want to wait until game week to see his return, if possible. The offensive line will be better working back together. The Jaguars must protect quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Frank Frangie, Radio Voice of the Jaguars

• Biggest concern entering '26: Running back. The group has great potential, but nobody in that room has been THE man on an NFL team. If it plays out like it might — Bhayshul Tuten as the starter, Chris Rodriguez Jr. as the backup/short-yardage specialist and LeQuint Allen Jr. as the third-down back — then that position will be very good. But there is some unknown.

Austen Lane, former Jaguars defensive end and Jaguars Media Analyst

• Biggest concern entering '26: The most unproven position group on the roster: Running Back. There are plenty of unknowns in the backfield, especially following running back Travis Etienne's departure. We've seen flashes from Tuten, and we know he's capable of taking the ball to the house on any play. But how will he handle a significantly larger workload and potentially being the lead back? How will Allen fit into the offense? Can he be more than just a third-down back? Also: What role will Rodriguez play, as he missed the entire offseason program with an injury?

Brent Martineau, Action Sports Jax Sports Director

• Biggest concern entering '26: Running back. The Jaguars must replace 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns from Etienne. I have no problem buying into Head Coach Liam Coen's run game and the addition of run-game coordinator Brian Picucci, but it's unproven right now with this stable of backs. The Jags must stay healthy, build trust and find their lead back in the month of August.

John Shipley, Jaguars Media correspondent

• Biggest concern entering '26: Pass-rush depth. The Jaguars have a top pass-rush duo with Hines-Allen and Walker, but the rest of the defensive ends on the roster are either first- or second-year players without much NFL experience. It is a talented and hard-working group, but there remains the question of their inexperience until they get the reps.

Brian Sexton, jaguars.com senior correspondent

• Biggest concern entering '26: When will Van Lanen return to the starting lineup? The Miller Electric Center buzzed about his abilities the last few seasons – and when he got into the lineup last fall, it didn't take long for the Jaguars to put a new contract in place to secure their guy and protect quarterback Trevor Lawrence's blind side. Walker Little is a capable replacement, but he's not their future. The offensive line was good in 2025 and has the potential to be very good going forward, but Van Lanen plays arguably the most important position on the line, and he won't see anything even close to live action until the regular season. It's a big question mark this summer in Jacksonville.

J.P. Shadrick, jaguars.com reporter/editor

• Biggest concern entering '26: "Worry" is too strong a word, but I'm curious to see how the interior of the defensive line improves in 2026. Can they create push and pass rush from the interior? If they do that consistently, then this defense could move into elite territory.

Kainani Stevens, team reporter/producer

• Biggest concern entering '26: Was last year lightning in a bottle? It's easy to catch teams by surprise, but the Jags won't have that luxury after winning the AFC South with a 13-4 record last season. Fighting complacency and keeping the players focused will be a top priority.