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2026 Draft-ervations: That's a Wrap 

DRAFTERVATIONS

JACKSONVILLE – The '26 draft is wrapped and finished.

The Jaguars on Saturday followed a busy Day 2 with a busier Day 3, selecting six players to close the 2026 NFL Draft with 10 selections – addressing multiple roster areas with the toughness, physicality and mindset that have become the franchise's defining traits under second-year Head Coach Liam Coen.

The Jaguars 2026 NFL Draft selections:

Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher (Round 2, No. 56 overall), Texas A&M defensive tackle Albert Regis (Round 3, No. 81 overall), Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon (Round 3, No. 88 overall), Maryland safety Jalen Huskey (Round 3, No. 100 overall), Duke edge Wesley Williams (Round 4, No. 119 overall), Houston tight end Tanner Koziol (Round 5, No. 164 overall), Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron (Round 6, No. 191 overall), Stanford wide receiver CJ Williams (Round 6, No. 203 overall), Washington edge Zach Durfee(Round 7, No. 233 overall) and Middle Tennessee State linebacker Parker Hughes (Round 7, No. 240 overall).

Four Jaguars media members – senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, senior reporter/editor J.P. Shadrick and team reporter/producer Kainani Stevens – shared an observation following each day of the 2026 NFL draft in which the team had a selection.

Day 3 NFL Draft observations:

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone late Saturday made clear the theme of the '26 draft, calling the team's approach "strategically bold." He added, "We wanted to attack the volume play while prioritizing the players we felt could level up our team." The result was a deep, patient and measured draft – one that particularly addressed the two lines and tight end. The Jaguars opted against trading up early in the draft, instead holding onto selections and reshaping the tight end room with Boerkircher and Koziol – who along with Brenton Strange and Quintin Morris should enable the Jaguars to run the two- and three-tight end packages that the Los Angeles Rams made successful to a notable degree last season. That addition to an already potent offense was the weekend's most notable Jaguars storyline – and the success of that initiative may be how this draft is ultimately judged. Those watching closely also came away with an even clearer idea of this team's identity under Coen, Gladstone and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli. That group leans hard into mental and physical toughness, what they call the "Duval DNA." That DNA ran through the '26 draft class and should continue reshaping and redefining an ascending organization.

Brian Sexton, Senior Correspondent…

This feels like the most workmanlike draft the Jaguars have put together in years. There was no single pressing need that drove the effort, no obvious weakness that had to be filled, and that's a testament to the quality of the roster. It seems that was also the mindset of Gladstone, who deliberately went through the process of finding the right players for Coen to execute his vision, the plan he laid out to Owner Shad Khan and Boselli the year before. While there seems to be a certain angst among the fan base for a draft class that lacks a "showmanship" quality, this draft is full of substance and is constructed with the kind of purpose that says this team will be prepared to meet the challenges ahead. So, for a group that took a four-win roster and improved by nine games in one season – and who coaxed more from important players such as Trevor Lawrence, Brenton Strange, Parker Washington, Anton Harrison, Antonio Johnson and Montaric Brown than they had shown before – there is a level of trust that they know what Boerkircher brings to the table and that he, Regis, Pregnon and the rest of the 10-man draft class can continue to elevate the franchise.

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J.P. Shadrick, jaguars.com senior reporter...

The Jaguars on Saturday continued the strategy of selecting players who have played a lot of football and then added players with specific skill sets late. Williams of Duke had production in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the pass rush game as a run-and-hit player away from the line and in the blocked kick game. Koziol was one of the top pass catchers at any position the last two years in college football. The pair of sixth-round wide receivers should be able to compete for a roster spot. The Round 7 defensive players will compete in training camp for a role on the roster and practice squad, and similar pieces were extremely valuable last season. Gladstone's second draft did not have as much splash as the first, but this class should contribute in different ways immediately – and we could look back at it in a few years as a vital one to later replace aging front-line players.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer...

The Jaguars rounded out draft weekend with ten picks total, an even split between offensive and defensive players – with notably two tight ends in the mix. Gladstone and Co. focused on finding players with "Duval DNA" as they continue building this roster with players who fit their culture. While I think there will be a few contributors from this class, it will be difficult for all to make the final roster. They'll also be challenged by linebacker Jalen McLeod and safety Caleb Ransaw from last year's class, players who have yet to play due to injury.

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