JACKSONVILLE – The defensive lean continues – with a little leaning to the offensive front.
This is the fifth 2026 jaguars.com mock draft tracker – and as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, those who analyze such things continue to emphasize defense heavily for the defending AFC Champion Jaguars.
Linebacker, defensive tackle, safety.
All continue to be projected for the Jaguars at No. 56 overall in Round 2. That's their first selection in this year's draft, with the team having traded its Round 1 selection in the deal to acquire wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter No. 2 overall in the '25 draft.
One player standing out in particular for the Jaguars this week:
Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday, projected to the Jaguars at No. 56 by two of five analysts in this week's tracker.
Other players projected to the Jaguars at No. 56 recently include Michigan defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny, Louisiana State safety A.J. Haulcy and Georgia Tech interior offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge.
Here's a look at the Jaguars' 11 selections in the '26 draft:
Round 2 (No. 56 overall, original Jaguars selection), Round 3 (No. 81, acquired in a trade with the Detroit Lions), Round 3 (No. 88, Jaguars), Round 3 (No. 100, Detroit Lions special compensatory), Round 4 (No. 124, Jaguars), Round 5 (No. 164, Jaguars), Round 5 (No. 166, from San Francisco 49ers through Philadelphia Eagles), Round 6 (No. 203, Eagles through Houston Texans through Eagles), Round 7 (No. 233, Lions), Round 7 (No. 240, Jaguars), Round 7 (No. 245, Los Angeles Rams through Texans).
Here's the fifth jaguars.com 2026 mock draft tracker, with a look at players analysts believe the Jaguars may select No. 56 overall:
Jake Golday, linebacker, 6-4, 237, Cincinnati.
- Briefly: Played 2024-2025 at Cincinnati after playing at Central Arkansas from 2021-2023. Named first-team All-Big 12 in 2025.
- Analyst: Todd McShay, The McShay Report.
- Date: March 23.
Jake Golday, linebacker, 6-4, 237, Cincinnati.
- Analyst: T.J. Randall, Pro Football Network.
- Date: March 21.
- Comment: "An aging starting linebacker duo is greeted by a fresh, athletic presence in the big, rangy Jake Golday."
- Projected Jaguars selections in Randall's March 21 seven-round mock: Davison Igbinosun, cornerback, Ohio State (Round 3); Dontay Corleone, defensive tackle, Cincinnati (Round 3); Emmett Johnson, running back, Nebraska (Round 3); Markell Bell, offensive tackle, Miami (Round 4); De'Zhaun Stribling, wide receiver, Mississippi (Round 5); Nick Barrett, defensive tackle, South Carolina (Round 5); Bishop Fitzgerald, safety, Southern California (Round 6); Wesley Williams, edge, Duke (Round 7); Alex Harkey, guard, Oregon (Round 7); Luke Altmyer, quarterback, Illinois (Round 7).
Rayshaun Benny, defensive tackle, 6-4, 305, Michigan.
- Briefly: Played at Michigan 2021-2025. Third-team All-Big 10 2025.
- Analyst: Chad Reuter, NFL.com.
- Date: March 20.
- Other projected Jaguars selections in Reuter's March 20 four-round mock: A.J. Haulcy, safety, Louisiana State (Round 3); Kyle Louis, linebacker, Pittsburgh (Round 3); Charles Demmings, cornerback, Stephen F. Austin (Round 3); Marlin Klein, tight end, Michigan (Round 4).
A.J. Haulcy, safety, 6-0, 215, Louisiana State.
- Briefly: Played 2022 at New Mexico, 2023-2024 at Houston and 2025 at Louisiana State. First-team All-America and first-team All-Southeastern Conference in 2025. First-team All-Big 12 in 2024. Second-team All-Mountain West in 2022.
- Analyst: Luke Easterling, Athlon Sports.
- Date: March 19.
- Other projected Jaguars selections in Easterling's March 19 four-round mock: Dontay Corleone, defensive lineman, Cincinnati (Round 3); Kyle Louis, linebacker, Pittsburgh (Round 3); Jake Slaughter, offensive lineman, Florida (Round 3); Jalon Kilgore, safety, South Carolina (Round 4).
Keylan Rutledge, interior offensive line, 6-4, 330, Georgia Tech.
- Briefly: Played at Middle Tennessee 2022-2023, played at Georgia Tech 2024-2025. First-team All-America 2025. Brian Piccolo Award 2025. First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference 2024-2025. First-team All-Conference USA 2023.
- Analyst: Josh Edwards, CBS Sports.
- Date: March 19.
- Edwards comment: "A rugged offensive guard to fortify [Jaguars quarterback] Trevor Lawrence's protection."
