sports

Jaguars’ 2026 Draft Sparks Executive Critique

Jacksonville’s 2026 NFL draft class has drawn criticism from anonymous league executives, who say the picks were driven more by metrics than film and focused on traits rather than fit.

Anonymous executives told The Athletic’s Mike Sando that the Jaguars’ draft class was a “traits draft” that prioritized workouts and pro days over film. One executive said, “I did not like what Jacksonville did at all,” adding that the team’s picks reflected numbers more than player fit. The Jaguars finished last in draft class value, a result the executives linked to the perception that the team reached for several selections. GM James Gladstone defended the approach, noting that the team’s vision prioritizes “intangibly rich” prospects and a strong tight‑end presence to counter high‑usage split‑safety looks. librea.one