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Which Position Makes the Most Sense for the Jaguars First Pick? · Duval Daily: A Jacksonville Jaguars Podcast

• 0:00
  [SPEAKER_00]: Texanville, Jaguar's fans welcome in to do wall daily presented by Gen Jack.com.
• 0:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Jordan Deluga.
• 0:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks so much for being here.
• 0:05
  [SPEAKER_00]: Thursday, April 16th, the NFL draft officially a week away.
• 0:09
  [SPEAKER_00]: We've looked at the NFL draft in a lot of different ways.
• 0:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: Over the last several months since the Jaguar season ended abruptly in the wildcard round of the playoffs.
• 0:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: The Jacks do not have a pick on day one of the draft, night one of the draft.
• 0:22
  [SPEAKER_00]: First round, as of now, I would not be surprised by anything James Gladstone does because he's going to be aggressive where he sees fit, would not shock me if the Jack Wars do end up back in the first round, James Gladstone said it himself.
• 0:36
  [SPEAKER_00]: The Jack Wars don't have a first round pick for now.
• 0:40
  [SPEAKER_00]: So we will see what ends up happening certainly, but when looking at
• 0:45
  [SPEAKER_00]: Trying to figure out like what I honestly think's going to happen with the jag wars first pick like what position might they be targeting and you say well you shouldn't be targeting a position you should be targeting the best player available.
• 0:58
  [SPEAKER_00]: That is true in a perfect world, but let's say you have a tier of players and there's a player at a position that has a clearer runway.
• 1:10
  [SPEAKER_00]: to getting snaps in 2026, having a major impact beyond 2026, you're gonna take that player in that tier, at that position, over a player that would be buried on the roster or a player that may be plays a position that you just don't value as much.
• 1:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: So we're gonna dive into it.
• 1:29
  [SPEAKER_00]: Really appreciate you being here.
• 1:30
  [SPEAKER_00]: If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe.
• 1:33
  [SPEAKER_00]: You can also.
• 1:34
  [SPEAKER_00]: Check out genjag.com, pick up some new dooval gear, like the hat I am wearing right now.
• 1:39
  [SPEAKER_00]: And I also hit that hype button, helps out a ton.
• 1:41
  [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you all so much for being here.
• 1:43
  [SPEAKER_00]: So which position will the Jaguars take first in the 2026 NFL draft?
• 1:47
  [SPEAKER_00]: As I mentioned, I think there are a ton of factors here.
• 1:50
  [SPEAKER_00]: Obviously, which player do you have highest on your board?
• 1:54
  [SPEAKER_00]: If there's a clear cut player that is tears above everyone else, and it might not be at a position that is a major need
• 2:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: which newsslash the jackwares don't really have any major needs right now in my opinion.
• 2:09
  [SPEAKER_00]: They have future needs, they have needs for kind of like impact rotational players, but in the starting lineup I don't think they have big needs.
• 2:17
  [SPEAKER_00]: I really don't, for 2026.
• 2:20
  [SPEAKER_00]: But...
• 2:20
  [SPEAKER_00]: Which player is highest on your board at a position that you value?
• 2:23
  [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, I think that that's pretty clear, and then again, which positions have the clearest runway for making an impact in 2026 as a rotational player?
• 2:33
  [SPEAKER_00]: Which ones do you have needs soon?
• 2:35
  [SPEAKER_00]: Which positions do you value or not value?
• 2:37
  [SPEAKER_00]: A lot of people talk about edge at 56.
• 2:41
  [SPEAKER_00]: or whenever the Jaguars pick first, which could be higher than 56 could be late for his drown, could be early.
• 2:47
  [SPEAKER_00]: Second round, mid-second round could be, they trade down from 56 and acquire more picks, you just do not know with James Ladsstone, the reason I wouldn't put that at the top of the list.
• 3:01
  [SPEAKER_00]: is because they have two edge players locked in at really big price points and they do like Danny Strigger and BJ Green.
• 3:09
  [SPEAKER_00]: So that's why I wouldn't put it at the top of the list.
• 3:11
  [SPEAKER_00]: Josh Hines Allen is locked in through 2028.
• 3:13
  [SPEAKER_00]: Trayvon Walker locked in through goodness gracious how long has his contracts now?
• 3:19
  [SPEAKER_00]: They're like 2030 or something like that, right?
• 3:24
  [SPEAKER_00]: that don't even have it updated for some reason over the cap, but his fifth year options, 2026, then it's a four year deal after that, 2728, 2930.
• 3:32
  [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah.
• 3:34
  [SPEAKER_00]: So he's locked in through 2030.
• 3:35
  [SPEAKER_00]: You're got two guys right there again.
• 3:38
  [SPEAKER_00]: At 27 and a half million per year for Trevon, 28 and a half million per year for Josh Himes Allen for the foreseeable future, right?
• 3:50
  [SPEAKER_00]: Technically, could the Jaguars get out of the Josh Hines Island deal before 2028?
• 3:54
  [SPEAKER_00]: Yes, well, they want to, probably not.
• 3:57
  [SPEAKER_00]: It's an extreme value at that point, I think, overall.
• 4:01
  [SPEAKER_00]: Maybe they'll want to ride a new contract, but it's 29 years old.
• 4:03
  [SPEAKER_00]: He'll be up there in age a little bit.
• 4:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: at that point.
• 4:08
  [SPEAKER_00]: But I see no reason that the Jaguars should not have Josh Hines down on their football team through 2028.
• 4:15
  [SPEAKER_00]: Obviously, Trevon Walker as well.
• 4:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: That's not to say the Jaguars shouldn't add competition behind those guys.
• 4:23
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think they absolutely should.
• 4:25
  [SPEAKER_00]: They should not go into the season, or just Danny Sturgo and BJ Green.
• 4:28
  [SPEAKER_00]: They should add more in the draft at Edge.
• 4:31
  [SPEAKER_00]: But when you're
• 4:38
  [SPEAKER_00]: Does that player have any sort of runway for being a starter in their first contract?
• 4:46
  [SPEAKER_00]: At edge, I really don't think they do.
• 4:48
  [SPEAKER_00]: Outside of maybe the last year of the deal, right?
• 4:53
  [SPEAKER_00]: If you'd draft a player now, the final year of their rookie deal will be 2029, unless you get him in the first round, then you'll have the fifth year option.
• 5:05
  [SPEAKER_00]: that's like not in line with what you have contractually with Josh Hines Allen and Tray Balm Walker.
• 5:10
  [SPEAKER_00]: And maybe the Jack Wars would move on from Josh Hines Allen after 2027.
• 5:13
  [SPEAKER_00]: I just don't like that idea.
• 5:17
  [SPEAKER_00]: Linebacker, certainly a future need, just when you look at the fact that Ventral Miller is entering a contract year.
• 5:30
  [SPEAKER_00]: At the other linebacker spot,
• 5:32
  [SPEAKER_00]: And I say, other, there's technically three lineback response, right?
• 5:35
  [SPEAKER_00]: But the Sam linebacker spot, you know, kind of the hybrid edge off ball linebacker Dennis Gardeck is back for a couple years.
• 5:44
  [SPEAKER_00]: You've got Jaylem McLeod, that's probably not really looking like a position of need and it's not a position that you have to prioritize because it's really a role playing position.
• 5:54
  [SPEAKER_00]: But the other linebacker spot, FOIA is under contract through 2027.
• 6:02
  [SPEAKER_00]: for the next two years, and you have Jack Kaiser as well, who you drafted in the fourth round.
• 6:08
  [SPEAKER_00]: I don't think you look at that and say it's a need, but Ventral Miller, you know, Devin Lloyd's spot last year.
• 6:17
  [SPEAKER_00]: I personally am of the strong belief that Ventral Miller can start and play good, good football for the Jaguars in 2026, but even if you believe that, which I do,
• 6:29
  [SPEAKER_00]: He's in a contract here.
• 6:31
  [SPEAKER_00]: He's entering a contract here in 2026.
• 6:33
  [SPEAKER_00]: And behind him, you have undrafted free agent rookie from last year, Branson, Holmes, who I do like as well, but so you can definitely say, without question, linebacker is a future need, and you can also make the argument if you don't believe in ventral Miller, that it's a current need.
• 6:50
  [SPEAKER_00]: So a lot of people will talk about 56 linebacker jackwares, but has James Gladstone, have a Los Angeles Rams ever shown,
• 6:58
  [SPEAKER_00]: that they are willing to take a linebacker that early in the draft.
• 7:02
  [SPEAKER_00]: The earliest they've ever taken one is in the third round.
• 7:08
  [SPEAKER_00]: Just something to keep in mind.
• 7:11
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think personally, it's pretty clear that defensive tackle is the position that makes the most sense for the jacks.
• 7:24
  [SPEAKER_00]: And that's not to say you reach for defensive tackle.
• 7:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: It's just saying, if let's just say there's a player on the board in the same tier at just about every position, defensive tackle is the one you take in my opinion.
• 7:41
  [SPEAKER_00]: It's basically a premium position now if you're talking about an elite defensive tackle.
• 7:48
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think it's absolutely a vital position in terms of importance.
• 7:53
  [SPEAKER_00]: Eric Armstead enters the final year of his contract, Devon Hamilton enters the final year of his contract, and that could change, obviously, right?
• 8:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: But as of right now, Devon Hamilton is entering the final year of his contract.
• 8:09
  [SPEAKER_00]: Matt Dickerson is on a one-year deal.
• 8:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: Mason Smith is under contract through 2027, but he's got to prove himself to even make the roster.
• 8:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: So again, this all clearly points to defensive tackle
• 8:22
  [SPEAKER_00]: based on the variables that we currently have and no, and based on James Gladstone's draft history, pseudo draft history with the Rams.
• 8:33
  [SPEAKER_00]: It wasn't 100% his decision, right?
• 8:36
  [SPEAKER_00]: But I think beyond that, the fact that they did not want to pay Devon Lloyd what he got paid.
• 8:45
  [SPEAKER_00]: Again, indicates linebacker is not that position.
• 8:49
  [SPEAKER_00]: They value that high in the draft.
• 8:53
  [SPEAKER_00]: defensive tackle man.
• 8:54
  [SPEAKER_00]: That's what I really strongly think is the one that makes the most sense.
• 8:59
  [SPEAKER_00]: No matter how you slice it, you're obviously good at quarterback, you're good at running back, offensive line.
• 9:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: You can make the argument, but it's kind of difficult to see.
• 9:14
  [SPEAKER_00]: Because if you talk about draft and somebody that plays tackle,
• 9:19
  [SPEAKER_00]: Anton Harris, and you want to have locked up for a long time, Colvin Lannon, you do have locked up for several years at Tackle.
• 9:29
  [SPEAKER_00]: Walker Little is a good backup tackle.
• 9:32
  [SPEAKER_00]: At guard, you do have more needs, right?
• 9:37
  [SPEAKER_00]: Potentially, as your Cleveland entering the final year of a contract.
• 9:41
  [SPEAKER_00]: patch of my carry potential roster cut after 2026, but you went and got why at my limit, right, last year.
• 9:49
  [SPEAKER_00]: So maybe a guard, you could argue guard, but is a guard going to factor in at any point in 2026 outside of like, if you have like, as a Cleveland go down and why at my limit go down,
• 10:09
  [SPEAKER_00]: or Ezra Cleveland and Patrick McAerry, even then Walker Little's probably coming in the game.
• 10:17
  [SPEAKER_00]: Like you're probably talking about having to lose three guys at the same time on the offensive line, which is possible.
• 10:23
  [SPEAKER_00]: But, again, I just don't think that that leads to as much of a clear need.
• 10:32
  [SPEAKER_00]: moving forward or in the current as defensive tackle.
• 10:37
  [SPEAKER_00]: But you could make the argument.
• 10:41
  [SPEAKER_00]: Guys, I like that defensive tackle that could potentially be available.
• 10:47
  [SPEAKER_00]: It's like just about everybody.
• 10:49
  [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, there's a lot of, there's not much consensus at the defensive tackle spot this year.
• 10:55
  [SPEAKER_00]: Peter Woods,
• 10:57
  [SPEAKER_00]: unbelievably talented coming off of a down year but going into this season I thought he would be a top five pick.
• 11:03
  [SPEAKER_00]: I still like him a lot.
• 11:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think the jag wars would value him a lot.
• 11:06
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think the jag wars would potentially try to trade up for him.
• 11:09
  [SPEAKER_00]: However, there's also the fact that I think a lot of teams still like Peter Woods.
• 11:16
  [SPEAKER_00]: I don't think people are going to be trying to trade out of draft and Peter Woods in the back
• 11:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: Um, Kaden McDonald to me is more of just a run defender.
• 11:31
  [SPEAKER_00]: I don't really see that pass rush juice with just something I want.
• 11:35
  [SPEAKER_00]: Uh, I think you want to find somebody who has balance.
• 11:38
  [SPEAKER_00]: They can lean more towards run defense, but they want you want to have some pass rush upside as well in my opinion.
• 11:45
  [SPEAKER_00]: Caleb Banks obviously a fantastic player, but the foot injuries are terrifying.
• 11:51
  [SPEAKER_00]: When you have somebody that's 330 pounds that consistently over the last year plus has having these foot issues, that's pretty scary.
• 12:01
  [SPEAKER_00]: Kristen Miller, I'll be all over that.
• 12:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: More of a run defender.
• 12:05
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think there's past rush juice there.
• 12:06
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think there's pocket pushing past rush upside for Kristen Miller.
• 12:11
  [SPEAKER_00]: I do.
• 12:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: Lee Hunter.
• 12:13
  [SPEAKER_00]: Again, more of a run defender, there is some past rush juice there as well.
• 12:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: So those two guys, I'd be all over.
• 12:21
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think the player that makes the most sense is probably Grayson Holden.
• 12:29
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think he'll probably be there at 56.
• 12:31
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think that he's a player I value in that range, probably really even higher personally.
• 12:44
  [SPEAKER_00]: He plays the rum with good technique, he's just not the biggest guy, but he's a hell of an athlete, like crazy flexibility, crazy agility, gets him the backfield consistently, great hand usage, fires off the ball.
• 12:59
  [SPEAKER_00]: I really like Grayson Holten.
• 13:02
  [SPEAKER_00]: Outside of that, at 56, or your first pick, I don't see a lot, really.
• 13:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, I do think Caleb Proctor will be a day three, or excuse me, day two type of guy, third round type of guy, I had a Southeastern Louisiana.
• 13:17
  [SPEAKER_00]: Darrell Jackson, maybe, in the third round, out of Florida State, big boy, but good athlete, powerful player.
• 13:24
  [SPEAKER_00]: I don't see much else beyond that early in the draft at defensive tackle.
• 13:31
  [SPEAKER_00]: A lot of day three guys, a lot of guys we talked about yesterday as sleepers, but I do think defensive tackles of the position that makes the most sense.
• 13:38
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think there's a number of candidates to potentially look at.
• 13:40
  [SPEAKER_00]: So we'll see how it ends up playing out next Thursday and Friday and Saturday obviously.
• 13:45
  [SPEAKER_00]: But I'm excited for it.
• 13:46
  [SPEAKER_00]: Let me know what you think about the position that makes the most sense for the jaguars with their first pick.
• 13:52
  [SPEAKER_00]: If you enjoy the content here, please like and subscribe.
• 13:54
  [SPEAKER_00]: Y'all have a good one.