The Jacksonville Jaguars are aiming to strengthen their roster ahead of the 2026 season by focusing on top prospects from the upcoming NFL Combine. Following an improved season under head coach Liam Coen and an MVP-level performance by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars are eager to build on their success through the draft.
Key Defensive Back Prospect to Watch for the Jaguars
The Jaguars plan to adjust Travis Hunter’s role by primarily placing him at cornerback during the 2026 season, while still giving him opportunities on offense. To complement this strategy, Will Lee from Texas A&M is a strong candidate to play alongside or provide backup support to Hunter. Lee, who began his career at junior college before emerging as a standout ball hawk in the SEC, offers a blend of size and potential, measuring 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds. His growth trajectory fits well with Jacksonville’s aim of fortifying their secondary under Liam Coen’s coaching regime.
Offensive Line Strengthening: Evaluating a Promising Tackle
Recognizing the importance of protecting Trevor Lawrence, who thrived behind an improved offensive line, the Jaguars have their eyes on offensive line talent at the Combine. Caleb Tiernan from Northwestern stands out as a 6-foot-7, 325-pound tackle with intriguing attributes. According to NFL Draft Buzz,
“Tiernan dances through pass sets like he’s been doing it for a decade. Yet sometimes looks like he’s learning the run game on the fly. Watch him mirror elite edge rushers, and you’ll see a tackle who understands angles, timing, and hand placement at a veteran level.”
However, the same analysis notes,
“But then the next series starts, and he’ll get walked back by a 270-pound defensive end on a power run, leaving you scratching your head about his functional strength.”
This mixture of impressive technique paired with concerns about run-game consistency presents a complex profile for the Jaguars to assess during the 2026 event.
Linebacker Candidate Bringing Versatility Amid Size Questions
Defensive needs remain high for the Jaguars as they enter the offseason, particularly at linebacker. Jacob Rodriguez from Texas Tech has drawn attention for his versatility and ability to perform well in high-pressure games. Although Rodriguez might be a mid- to late-round draft pick, his performance at the Combine will be critical for improving his prospects. Concerns about his size and shorter arm length create uncertainty about how well he will transition to the professional level. Jacksonville’s staff will need to weigh these physical limitations against his skill set during their evaluations.
The Jaguars’ focus on these three prospects—Will Lee, Caleb Tiernan, and Jacob Rodriguez—demonstrates their strategic approach to filling key roster gaps while developing a balanced and competitive squad for future seasons.
Texas A&M CB Will Lee is a twitchy athlete with oily hips who can mirror, accelerate and decelerate on a dime, and has the speed to recover if beat. The INT totals aren’t elite, but his length consistently disrupts the catch point. Should blow up the combine #BuildingTheBoard pic.twitter.com/VFqOY8xiwS
— Steve Letizia (@CFCBears) February 17, 2026
Really like Northwestern OL Caleb Tiernan as a Day 2 prospect. Great instincts, hand usage, and base in pass pro pic.twitter.com/xtPlen840x
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) February 4, 2026
