The NFL Draft process has entered a pivotal live evaluation phase, and the Jacksonville Jaguars' personnel department is front and center. The 2026 Reese's Senior Bowl commenced practices on January 28 in Mobile, Alabama, offering the Jaguars' scouts, coaches, and front office executives their first up-close look at many of this year's top draft prospects.
This year's event carries added significance for General Manager James Gladstone and his staff. Having traded their first-round selection in the 2025 draft to move up for two-way star Travis Hunter, the Jaguars are currently without a pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. This makes their work at all-star games like the Senior Bowl, and later the NFL Scouting Combine, even more critical. Identifying value in the middle rounds becomes paramount.
Early reports from Mobile suggest a strong group of defensive linemen and cornerbacks, two positions widely considered needs for the Jaguars. The team's evaluators will spend the week conducting interviews, assessing technique, and observing how prospects handle playbook installation and coaching—key intangible factors. The performance of these seniors could directly shape the Jaguars' draft board as they look to add impactful players who can contribute immediately to a team with championship aspirations.