JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Jaguars are ditching the highlight reels for the heavy hitters. After a 13-4 season and an AFC South title, the front office is signaling a massive shift in philosophy for the 2026 NFL Draft. Jacksonville holds no pick higher than No. 56, yet they plan to secure the line of scrimmage by targeting Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore and Missouri’s Chris McClellan. Forget the flashy wideouts; this draft is about finding the “nasty” identity needed to survive January football.
Identifying the Pressure Points
The 2025 campaign proved that a two-man pass rush isn’t enough to close out elite AFC quarterbacks. When the defense needed a stop in the playoffs, the interior softened. General Manager James Gladstone and Head Coach Liam Coen aren’t waiting for the same collapse this winter. They need a space-eater who can collapse the pocket from within and a high-motor disruptor to relieve the stars on the edge.
Jacksonville’s free agency already set the stage for this trench-first approach. The team let star back Travis Etienne Jr. walk to the New Orleans Saints, replacing him with Chris Rodriguez Jr. on a two-year, $10 million contract. By saving capital in the backfield and re-signing Montaric “Buster” Brown to a $33 million extension, the Jaguars cleared the path to spend their draft capital on the defensive line.
“We have something special here. To continue that, it feels great,” Buster Brown noted after signing his three-year deal. “The sky’s the limit for this secondary if the front four can keep the pressure on.”
Building a Triple-Threat Pass Rush
Snagging Derrick Moore out of Michigan is the opening move in this tactical reset. Moore isn’t just a prospect; he’s a 258-pound battering ram. He logged 10 sacks in his final collegiate season, showing a “speed-to-power” transition that leaves tackles off-balance. Inserting Moore into a rotation with Travon Walker creates a relentless cycle. Offensive lines won’t get a breather. Moore’s physicality defines the culture Coen wants to build—one where the Jaguars impose their will rather than reacting to the opponent.
The Jaguars then plan to double down by grabbing Chris McClellan. The Missouri product is a 323-pound disruptor who thrives in chaos. He slides across multiple interior positions, closing the escape hatches that quarterbacks often use to avoid edge pressure. Pairing Moore’s burst with McClellan’s anchor creates a cascading effect. It keeps the linebackers clean and allows the secondary to play more aggressively.
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
This strategy addresses the thin depth chart that nearly derailed the 2025 season. By prioritizing the trenches, Jacksonville is preparing for the physical toll of a 17-game schedule and a deep playoff run. If they hit on these picks, the Jaguars won’t just be AFC South favorites; they will be the team nobody wants to see in the bracket. The focus now shifts to draft night, where the Jaguars must stay disciplined and resist the urge to chase skill-position hype. The road to the Super Bowl goes through the trenches, and Jacksonville finally seems ready to pave it.
