JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Mike from Daytona Beach, FL
Many so-called "experts" have criticized the Jags for reaching for tight end Nate Boerkircher No. 56 overall – mostly because rating services generally had him slotted to go much later. For example, ESPN had him at No. 159. But wait!!! The Houston Texans then quickly drafted tight end Marlin Klein with Pick No. 59 despite the fact that ESPN had him rated at No. 176. It is noteworthy that a mini-run of six tight ends occurred with Picks Nos. 54, 56, 59, 61, 69 and 73 – with all five tight ends from the Boerkircher Pick at No. 56 to Pick No. 73 selected earlier than slotted by ESPN. And those five were picked an average of 52 slots ahead of where ESPN had them rated. Clearly, some teams are now more highly valuing tight ends who are good/excellent blockers that can elevate 12 or 13 personnel groupings. Post draft, the Jags' fear that Boerkircher would not be available at Pick No. 81 now seems quite reasonable. So KOAF, despite the fact that it is important to be nice, maybe it is the "experts" who are more deserving of a little constructive criticism than the forward-thinking teams?
This is some good research, just as the effect of the run on tight ends is a storyline of the Jaguars' 2026 NFL Draft that perhaps has been at least somewhat overlooked. Or just not acknowledged enough. The Jaguars entered the draft not only wanting to reshape their tight end position, but knowing many other teams were entering the draft with the same mindset. When that many teams have such a mindset in the draft, and many teams know other teams are thinking this way, the situation is ripe for a "run" on a certain position. When such runs happen, a lot of pre-draft speculation and rankings no longer are pertinent – not that they were all that pertinent in the first place. This doesn't mean we must be nice here in the O-Zone. It does mean there was a good reason the Jaguars selected Boerkircher where they selected him – that he was who they wanted at No. 56 and they knew he wouldn't be available with their next selection at No. 81. If you want your guy, take your guy. The last thing a general manager wants is to pass on a player hoping that player will be available with the team's next selection and have another team draft that player. That ain't cool.
Jeff from Wake Forest, NC
Do you see any upcoming big post-draft signings to fill holes or do they think there are no holes now? Also, how is Caleb Ransaw and does he project as a starter this year? Thanks O!
I don't anticipate the Jaguars making any major post-draft signings in the coming weeks or months, because they currently see no major roster holes. They, like most teams, could make a signing or two in the offseason or training camp as needs show themselves. Safety Caleb Ransaw, a third-round selection by the Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft, is expected to be 100 percent after missing his rookie season with a foot injury and will compete for a starting position.
Chris from Mandarin
There was a slight drop off at linebacker during the 2025 season when Devin Lloyd missed time due to injury. However, the drop off was not so great that I am worried about Ventrell Miller being productive given that he will likely be preparing as the starter week in and week out this year. It was simply more important to re-sign defensive end Travon Walker than it was to re-sign Lloyd. How do you think Ventrell Miller will fare this season?
Miller entered the 2025 season as a co-starter with Lloyd. I expect he will be fine.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
This may be nitpicking a bit, but I say Pregnon qualifies as a splash. A first-team, All-American guard in the third round. That's splashy, aint it? Do you think he can be a Day 1 starter?
I would be a little surprised if rookie guard Emmanuel Pregnon starts Week 1 of the 2026 season because I think starting left guard Ezra Cleveland is good and Pregnon as a rookie ideally will get some time to learn/develop before starting. I would be equally surprised if Pregnon isn't a good player and a starter for the Jaguars for a long time.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
Can you help your Reader understand why the NFL is subject to being a "cyclical league" while other pro sports like baseball seem to be fairly consistent in approach over the last 100 years or so (hit, run, catch, throw - but don't shift). Is it simply the dynamics of 22 players on the field at one time?
The NFL is a cyclical league because coaches spend every offseason working to get better. That means figuring out ways to do better against what other teams are doing well. If offenses for example are succeeding running three wide-receiver sets and throwing a lot, defenses are going to figure ways to better defend and attack that. When defenses get better at that, offenses will figure a way to run better to attack that. I don't cover other sports intimately enough to know why those sports do or don't evolve. I do know the NBA doesn't look very much like the league I watched when I was growing up. I also know baseball wasn't all strikeouts and home runs when I was growing up. I also know those kids better get off my lawn. Dammit.
Rick from Greenville, SC
I saw a composite ranking of all the draft grades and the three worst teams were the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams and Jaguars. How do you think these teams were able to win 37 games last year?
I'm not sure.
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. Quick question regarding the defense. The Jags were ranked 27th with 32 regular-season sacks last year and 23rd in pressure rate (32.5 percent). But, against the run, the Jags were the best in the entire NFL. Probably a simple answer but sure seems a little incongruent? Thanks.
I don't know if these statistics are incongruent, though I do know they lack consistency. The Jaguars were better against the run last season than they were rushing the passer. They need to keep stopping the run, then they need to get better rushing from the interior. If they do that, they should get better pressure – and more sacks – overall. And they need to get defensive end Travon Walker healthy for the entire season. That would be huge.
Cincinnati Jags Fan
You look like a Melvin to me. I think we need to start calling you Melvin. Wrinkled clothes and all … yep, Melvin it is!
Word.
Ray from Newport News, VA
So now we have two Brian Thomas Jr.s on the roster. Maybe both will make the final 53.
Brian Thomas Jr. is a third-year wide receiver from Louisiana State selected by the Jaguars in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Bryan Thomas Jr. is a rookie defensive end from South Carolina who signed with the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft. I expect the first will be on the active roster in 2026. I expect the second will at minimum be on the practice squad in 2026. Stay tuned.
Don from Marshall, NC
Nate Boerkircher is really a very interesting pick. You watch the tapes and you can see how much space he takes up. He is not straight-line fast, but he has tremendous stride and leverage. He uses his body very well. Great hands. Very physical. He is definitely a threat in the tailback slot. Him and Strange together should come with a warning label for the backend of opposing defenses! My goodness I can only imagine having to tackle that. Go Jaguars!
When it comes to liking the Jaguars' first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft for a lot of the reasons the Jaguars liked him, Don remains "all in."
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
O, which wide receivers on the Jags' roster like to block downfield?
Few NFL wide receivers like blocking downfield all that much, though I believe I heard Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers speak relatively fondly of it last season. All Jaguars wide receivers are willing blockers. Or they better be. If you ain't blocking around these parts, you ain't playing.
Jason from North Pole, AK
I am approaching 40 years old, so I understand I am out of touch with the target audience this regime is trying to connect with. That said, does some of the new lingo such as "ops" and "hunting up" annoy you too?
I am known among my peers for being "young in spirit" and strikingly "hip." I therefore usually am on the cutting edge of slang and lingo. That's what makes me "rad."
