JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Kevin from Jacksonville

Last year we drafted running back Bhayshul Tuten when we had running back Travis Etienne Jr. on an expiring deal. We drafted safety Caleb Ransaw with safety Andrew Wingard on an expiring deal. Drafted linebacker Jack Kiser with linebacker Devin Lloyd on an expiring contract. This year we drafted two tight ends, with one on an expiring contract. We drafted a defensive tackle with defensive tackle Arik Armstead's contract expiring. We drafted a guard with Ezra Cleveland's contract expiring. Drafted a safety again in case Ransaw isn't what we expect. I think I see the thought process here.

You sort of see it and sort of don't. The NFL is about draft, development and replace – and there absolutely were elements of it in the last two Jaguars drafts. But while the selections of players such as Tuten and Ransaw in the 2025 NFL Draft indeed had a future replacement feel, much of the the '26 draft had a different vibe. The Jaguars absolutely didn't select tight ends Nate Boerkircher (Texas A&M, Round 2) and/or Tanner Koziol (Houston, Round 5) to replace tight end Brenton Strange; they drafted those players so they could play multiple tight-end sets more often and more effectively than they did last season. They also didn't select safety Jalen Huskey (Round 4) as insurance for Ransaw; they drafted him to play in 2026 because they play a lot of three-safety packages on defense. Yes, teams must draft to replace. But this year's selections were mostly about drafting players to play roles while they're perhaps developing into starters moving forward.

Craig from Mulbarton

Things I care about: How they play on the field. Things I don't care about: Draft grades. Seems like Jimmy Stones is firmly in the first camp. And I love to see it.

Things the Jaguars care about when they draft: Building a team to win games. Things they don't care about: "Winning the draft" – i.e., draft grades. The entire organization is firmly in the first camp, and being in that camp entirely dictates every inch of effort that goes into the draft. The Jaguars' decision-makers are fine if you love to see it and don't care that much if you don't because the whole idea is to build a team to win games. Period.

Jeremy from Wise, VA

Maybe I missed them, but do you know if the site will be posting the videos from the draft of the phone calls to the players? I like those.

Those videos are cool. Fans like them. Stay tuned.

Big Jags Fan from Jacksonville

O, the Jags' brass really proved the national media wrong. Not only have they not traded wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., they signed defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. to an undrafted free-agent contract. This will really confuse the experts!

We talk about a lot here in the O-Zone about the importance of being nice. At the risk of not being nice, confusing the experts from this view is what is sometimes known as "clearing a low bar."

Tony from Johns Creek, GA

O, two or three tight end packages – or you could just add a fullback and keep one or more wide receivers on the field.

Not if you want to force matchup issues. Playing multiple tight ends forces defenses to choose an extra defense back to defend the pass or stay in base to defend the run. If a defense leans into the extra defensive back, you get an advantage in the run game. If it leans into base, you get an advantage passing. This is why many offensive coordinators believe it's the hardest formation to defend.

Shawn from Moore County, NC

Based off our offseason, I am hunting up the over/under at eight intangibly rich wins. What say you?

I say I get zero vibe that that's the expectation around this building.

Danny from St Augustine, FL

I just read we were in the worst three teams in the NFL for our overall draft picks. Love the Jags but are we sugarcoating our draft selections? Multiple sources have said us, the Tennessee Titans and the San Francisco 49ers are the worst three.

Interweb "sources" are fun and entertaining. Whether they relate to reality is a completely other matter. Remember: No one ever got a ring for winning the draft – at least not a good one.

Dylan from Tulsa

Sweet or Savory Crepes? I need an answer quick. My wife is ordering breakfast. Also: Do you see a veteran edge signed soon?

Order a waffle – and I don't see the Jaguars signing a veteran edge soon.

Corey from Madison, WI

I'll reserve judgement on this draft class for a few years, but I have renewed faith in the leadership in place. I'm sure many people have seen this fun little segment ESPN did, but for those who haven't, it's a good read about "Prospect X: The 2026 NFL draft's undiscovered gem." Here's the *backstory*. Here's the *reveal*. Here's hoping the Jags found a good one!

You're referencing Jaguars rookie defensive end Zach Durfee, who indeed was ESPN's Prospect X. It's a cool story. It's well worth clicking through both links.

Duval from St. John's riverbed

What do you think about the new Jaguars addition of "prospect X" Zach Durfee, and the journey it took to get here? Do you think he has a chance to start this season? #diamondintherough

Durfee is a really cool story, the details of which can found through the links above. I think he has a chance to compete to make the roster with multiple other players such as Danny Striggow and B.J. Green. I don't expect any of the Jaguars' draft selections to be clear "starters" because this is a very established roster and it's tough for any rookie to start in the NFL on an established team immediately. I do expect this rookie class to contribute early and develop into starters as they have the opportunity to do so.

Bryan from Tampa, FL

I do like that Gladstone added bodies to the trenches. I do still hope the Jags are able to upgrade their running back position. I know they express confidence in the current group, but seems risky to go into the season without a proven commodity. Personally, I think Tuten has shown that he lacks the vision to take advantage of his speed – and LeQuint Allen Jr. is simply too slow to be effective as a regular ball carrier. How can the position be upgraded at this point in the offseason and were you surprised a draft pick was not used on the running back position?

I was not surprised at all that the Jaguars didn't select a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft because the Jaguars signed Chris Rodriguez Jr. and believe they will improve as a running offense next season. I get no sense they feel any need to upgrade the position in the coming weeks or months.

Jordan from Mandarin

Which draft pick is most intriguing to you? Pregnant and Koziol have me most excited.

This would be phenomenally intriguing.

Andy from Halifax

What is your understanding on how teams know that another team drafting ahead of them are interested in the same player that they are? Is it backroom networking? Observation? Speculation? All of the above?

It's all the above – combined with a lot of analytics involving how teams historically draft, how personnel officials typically draft, historical trends, projected strengths and weaknesses of present and future drafts, etc. There once was a time NFL owners and/or coaches gathered in big rooms and selected players by lists in Street and Smith's. Those days are no more.

Joel from Yulee

How long do you think Luke actually trained with Yoda on Dagobah? In the movie, it was only 16 minutes but in real life it must have been at least six months for him to get his conditioning up to par for a jedi. Also: what position do you think Luke would have played in the NFL?

I'm sorry. I'm not a big Harry Potter fan, so I don't get the reference.

Ken from Jacksonville

Is the reason for the discussion to move Walker inside because he is better there or because we don't have a better option inside (but would be stronger outside)? Thanks O!

You're referencing Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker playing inside more next season, something that certainly may happen. This doesn't mean Walker will become a full-time defensive tackle. It means he may rush from the inside in passing situations because he is really good at taking advantage of the matchup there. Part of the reason is that the Jaguars could be better rushing the passer from the interior – and Walker may indeed be the Jaguars' best option there.

Gary from St. Augustine, FL

Even when the Jaguars got lousy draft grades, you still suck.

Jaguars 2026 rookie minicamp will be held May 8-9 at the Miller Electric Center with organized team activities scheduled to begin May 26.