Charlie Campbell
Jaguars Rookie Forecast 2026
Solid Starter
Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon – Round 3 
The Jaguars made four selections on the second day of the 2026 NFL Draft, and I think Pregnon is the most likely to turn into a solid NFL starter. Pregnon started out his collegiate career at Wyoming and had two seasons as a backup there. In 2022, he became a starter and allowed two sacks in his debut as a starter. Before the 2023 season, Pregnon transferred to USC and earned a starting spot with the Trojans. He started at left guard for two seasons and did not allow a sack during the 2024 campaign. To finish his collegiate career, Pregnon played with Oregon and started 15 games with the Ducks. He was an effective run blocker while allowing one sack and five pressures during the 2025 season.
Pregnon is a well-balanced blocker that is effective in both phases. In the passing-driven NFL, Pregnon has a good skill set to take on interior rushers. He has the size, strength in his base, and ability to sink his weight to stonewall bull rushers. Pregnon shows a good ability to anchor and withstand a bull rush when blitzers have more space to attack him with speed to power. While Pregnon is not an elite interior athlete, he has the quickness and athleticism to match up against speed rushers. Pregnon could stand to improve his pass protection when he is attacked with counters, but he should turn into a steady and reliable protector as a pro.
In the ground game, Pregnon is a solid contributor. He packs a punch off the ball and looks to blast defenders off the line. He has some punch to create movement and is adept at combo blocks with good leverage to execute bump blocks with his center. Pregnon has quality hand placement and strength to engage defenders. Pregnon has average range and can execute zone blocking or power man plays.
The Jaguars have veteran guards with Ezra Cleveland and Patrick Mekari in place to start in 2026, but in a year or two, I think Pregnon could replace Cleveland. Pregnon is a well-rounded blocker who could be a solid starter for Jacksonville before long.
2025: Wyatt Milum, G
2024: Maason Smith, DT
2023: Brenton Strange, TE
2022: Devin Lloyd, LB
2021: Travis Etienne, RB
2020: K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB
2019: Josh Allen, LB
2018: Ronnie Harrison, S
2017: Cam Robinson, OT
2016: Sheldon Day, DT
2015: Dante Fowler, DE
2014: Allen Robinson, WR
2013: Luke Joeckel, LT
Most Likely To Bust
Jalen Huskey, S, Maryland – Round 3
The Jaguars made four selections on day three of the draft, and it was not an impressive haul for Jacksonville. They could have little to show for it in terms of starting talent. Huskey looks more like a third safety and backup with special teams ability. As a third-round pick, they are expected to be backups that grow into a starting role, and I think Huskey could fall short of that.
2025: Caleb Ransaw, CB
2024: Jarrian Jones, CB
2023: Tyler Lacy, DT
2022: None
2021: Walker Little, OT
2020: Laviska Shenault, WR
2019: Josh Oliver, TE
2018: D.J. Chark, WR
2017: DeDe Westbrook, WR
2016: Jalen Ramsey, DB
2015: A.J. Cann, G
2014: Blake Bortles, QB
2013: Denard Robinson, RB
Potential Boom Pick
NONEThe Jaguars were without a first-round pick, and I don’t think any of their day-two or day-three picks have real boom pick potential. I think second-round tight end Nate Boerkircher is a limited receiver and looks like just a backup quality tight end. I think third-round defensive tackle Albert Regis will be a solid rotational backup, but I don’t see boom pick potential with him.
2025: Travis Hunter, CB
2024: Brian Thomas Jr., WR
2023: Anton Harrison, OT
2022: Travon Walker, DE
2021: Trevor Lawrence, QB
2020: C.J. Henderson, CB
2019: Jawaan Taylor, OT
2018: Taven Bryan, DT
2017: Leonard Fournette, RB
2016: Myles Jack, LB
2015: T.J. Yeldon, RB
2014: Marqise Lee, WR
2013: Jonathan Cyprien, S
Future Depth Player
Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&M – Round 2 
While I think Boerkircher is a limited receiver and looks like just a backup quality tight end, I do think he could be a solid backup for Jacksonville. Boerkircher and fellow rookie Brenton Strange could turn into solid backups for the Jaguars, but I think they will want a more dynamic receiver as a starter to help Trevor Lawrence in the passing game. Still, Boerkircher is a solid blocker and has some ability to contribute as a receiver. Hence, I think he is going to be a quality No. 2 tight end in the NFL.
2025: Jack Kiser, LB
2024: Jordan Jefferson, DT
2023: Tank Bigsby, RB
2022: Chad Muma, LB
2021: Luke Farrell, TE
2020: DaVon Hamilton, DT
2019: Ryquell Armstead, RB
2018: Will Richardson, OT
2017: Dawuane Smoot, DE
2016: Brandon Allen, QB
2015: Michael Bennett, DT
2014: Chris Smith, LB
2013: Ace Sanders, WR
Walt
