Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft is officially underway, and all eyes in Jacksonville are on the No. 56 overall pick. If the latest intel from around the league is any indication, the Jaguars might not be staying put.
According to Bleacher Report's James Palmer, there's growing buzz that the Jaguars are exploring the possibility of moving up from their second-round slot. While no deal is imminent -- and the Jaguars' front office, led by General Manager James Gladstone, is known for keeping its cards close to the vest -- the chatter is loud enough that it's worth taking seriously.
So, what's driving this potential move? And who might Jacksonville be targeting? Let's break down the Day 2 landscape and what it means for the Jaguars.
The State of the Jaguars' Draft Board
Jacksonville entered the 2026 draft with a clear set of needs, and after Thursday night's first round, they addressed one of the most critical positions on the roster. With their first-round pick, the Jaguars selected a player who is expected to be a Day 1 starter. That pick filled a glaring hole, but the team still has several areas that require immediate attention.
Heading into Day 2, the Jaguars hold the 56th overall pick. That's a spot where quality talent still exists, but it's also a range where teams often feel pressure to be aggressive if a specific player they value highly is still on the board. The Jaguars have a relatively deep roster compared to some of their rebuilding counterparts, but they lack elite depth at key positions -- particularly along the defensive line, in the secondary, and at wide receiver.
The intel from Palmer suggests that the Jaguars have identified a handful of players they believe are first-round talents who have slipped into the early portion of Day 2. If one of those players is still available as the second round progresses, don't be surprised if the Jaguars make a call to move up.
Why Trade Up? The Value Proposition
Trading up in the NFL Draft is always a calculated risk. It costs valuable draft capital, and if the player doesn't pan out, the move can set a franchise back. But for a team like the Jaguars -- one that believes it is on the cusp of contention -- being aggressive makes sense.
Jacksonville's roster is built around a young, talented core led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who is entering the prime of his career. The Jaguars are coming off a season where they showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately fell short of expectations due to inconsistency and injuries. Adding an impact player on Day 2 could be the difference between being a playoff contender and a Super Bowl contender.
The cost of moving up from No. 56 is something Gladstone and his staff have likely already modeled. Depending on how far they want to climb, the trade value chart suggests the Jaguars could package a later-round pick -- say, a fourth or fifth-rounder -- to move into the early 40s or late 30s. If they want to get into the top 10 of the second round, the price would be steeper, possibly involving a future pick. But given the strength of this draft class, it might be worth the investment.
Potential Targets for a Trade-Up
So, who could the Jaguars be targeting? While no specific names have been confirmed, the Day 2 draft projections from multiple outlets provide some clues.
At No. 56, experts project a range of players who could fill Jacksonville's remaining needs. But if the Jaguars are willing to move up, they could be eyeing a player who was projected to go in the late first round but has slipped for reasons unrelated to talent -- perhaps due to a deep position group or a minor medical concern.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Jaguars could target an edge rusher or a versatile defensive back. The team invested in the defensive line in free agency but could still use a dynamic pass rusher who can collapse the pocket consistently. In the secondary, the Jaguars have solid starters but lack depth behind them. A cornerback or safety who can play multiple roles would be a welcome addition.
Offensively, the Jaguars could look to add a weapon for Lawrence. While the team has a strong receiving corps on paper, injuries have been a concern. A big-bodied wide receiver or a pass-catching tight end who can stretch the field would give Lawrence another reliable target.
One name that has been floated in pre-draft discussions is a versatile defensive back who can play both corner and safety -- a chess piece that defensive coordinators love. If that player is still on the board in the early second round, expect the Jaguars to be aggressive.
The Risk of Staying Put
Of course, trading up isn't the only option. The Jaguars could also stay at No. 56 and trust that the board will fall in their favor. There's a legitimate argument for doing so: this draft class is deep, and there are quality players projected to be available throughout Day 2 and even into Day 3.
The risk, however, is that the Jaguars miss out on a player they view as a difference-maker. If a player they have a first-round grade on slides to the early second round, and they don't have the capital to move up, they could watch that player go to a division rival or a conference contender. That's a frustrating scenario that general managers work hard to avoid.
The Gladstone Factor
When it comes to the draft, James Gladstone has a history of being unpredictable. He's been aggressive in the past, trading up for players he believes are foundational pieces. But he's also shown patience, letting the draft come to him. This duality makes it hard to predict exactly what the Jaguars will do.
What we do know is that Gladstone values intelligence, versatility, and football character. The players the Jaguars target in a potential trade-up will likely fit that mold. They'll be players who can contribute immediately and grow into long-term starters.
What the Experts Are Saying
The consensus among analysts is that the Jaguars are in a strong position. They have a franchise quarterback, a solid offensive line, and a defense that showed improvement last season. Adding a high-impact player on Day 2 could push them over the top.
According to experts projecting Jacksonville's pick at No. 56, the Jaguars are expected to target a defensive player or a weapon on offense. But those projections are based on the board as it stands now. If the Jaguars trade up, all bets are off.
Some analysts have praised the Jaguars' front office for being proactive in recent drafts. Others have cautioned against overpaying for a player when the value at No. 56 is already strong. Either way, the discussion underscores just how important this Day 2 is for Jacksonville.
The Bottom Line
The latest Day 2 draft intel suggests the Jaguars are at least exploring the possibility of trading up. Whether they pull the trigger will depend on how the board falls and what the asking price is. But one thing is clear: the Jaguars are not content to sit back and wait. They have identified a window of opportunity, and they're willing to be aggressive to maximize it.
As the second round gets underway, Jaguars fans should keep a close eye on the trades ticker. If a team jumps into the early 40s, it might just be Jacksonville making a move.
For now, the wait continues. But the buzz is real, and the potential is exciting. The Jaguars are playing chess while the rest of the league plays checkers. And on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, that could make all the difference.