A lot of unanticipated moves can happen during the draft, which makes it even more intriguing. Teams take unexpected players, make big trades, and take big chances to help build their team. But these bold moves don\u2019t always work out, and they can set the team back for years to come if the wrong pick is made.<\/p>\n
In every draft, there is a hotly contested debate about whether a team should draft based on need or best player available. Every team takes a different approach depending on their timeline and job security.\u00a0 For the Jaguars<\/a>, the answer is clear: draft based on need.<\/p>\n Throughout the 2025 calendar year from free agency until the end of the season, the Jaguars continued to address glaring weaknesses, raising the floor of the team. Now that they are in a Super Bowl window, they will have to be lethal in the draft.<\/p>\n Devin Lloyd\u2019s<\/a> departure has left a clear void at the linebacker position, as well as a desperate need for improvement at defensive tackle. Parker Washington<\/a>, Antonio Johnson<\/a>, Brenton Strange<\/a>, and Anton Harrison<\/a> are all in line for contract extensions. Still, not all of them will get paid, meaning the Jaguars will need to have an idea of their future replacements.<\/p>\n Taking the best player available at a non-prioritized position, for example an outside cornerback, a running back, or a position that could be addressed later in the draft, could set the Jaguars back and halt their needed improvement.<\/p>\n The Jaguars have found themselves in unexpected circumstances, with a roster that is ready to win right now but does not own a first-round pick. For general manager James Gladstone<\/a>, this isn\u2019t new territory.<\/p>\n During his nine-year tenure with the Rams<\/a>, they were notorious for making aggressive trades, making just one first-round selection over this span. \u201cThere is no doubt about it; we have waited longer,\u201d Gladstone said, citing the 2022 draft where the Rams made their first selection with the 104th pick in the third round.<\/p>\n Gladstone made the splash move to trade up for Travis Hunter<\/a> in 2024, immediately showing his willingness to \u201cbe bold\u201d. While the roster is in a considerably better position than it was 12 months ago, it isn\u2019t perfect, and trading up high into the second round or even jumping into the first round could cost the Jaguars far more than what they\u2019d get in return.<\/p>\nBest Player Available<\/h3>\n
Being Too Aggressive<\/h3>\n
Injured or Project Players<\/h3>\n