Speaking to the reporters, Coen had nothing but praise for Washington, who was an outstanding player for the Jags in 2025. Still, he mentioned the team could use his talents even further if Washington is able to develop on routes like jet sweeps, and screen plays.

Those should be easy routes to learn as one is set up in motion pre-snap. Jet sweeps rely on speed and WR-QB coordination. As for screens, Washington needs to improve on blocking and then on his acceleration, as screen plays give a small margin for the receiver to explode, but they need to be fast enough to produce yards after catch.

Washington could emerge as the undoubted WR1 of the Jaguars

Washington led the Jaguars in yards (847) even when sharing targets with Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, and Jacoby Meyers. He was also second on receiving touchdowns, just below running back Travis Etienne, who is no longer on the team.

Washington had 265 yards after catch and broke a total of five tackles last season. The one department where he needs to really improve is on drops, as he had seven in 2025. However, his ability to constantly get open earned him plenty of targets.

Liam Coen is one to trust after a stellar rookie season as HC

Liam Coen arrived with a lot of hype to the team. He not only delivered, as the Jags had a 13-4 season, but he revived Trevor Lawrence’s career, and then gave the spotlight to Washington.

Coen is a brilliant offensive mind. Hence, when he gives advice to a player publicly, that player should listen. Coen proved to be a very good playcaller and play designer, and Washington could really establish himself as a must-watch receiver in 2026.

“It’s a group that has a lot of opportunities to them,” the head coach recently revealed during his press conference. “There’s a wide-open room. It’s truly wide open.”

Bhayshul Tuten currently appears to be the best-positioned player on the depth chart, so it would not be surprising if the ground game starts running through him as early as Week 1. With an important preparation period still ahead, Coen still has time to decide who will take on this important role for the team.

Etienne took important numbers to New Orleans

The New Orleans Saints have secured a major backfield weapon by acquiring Travis Etienne, leaving a massive void in Jacksonville that will be incredibly difficult to fill. Over his four active seasons with the Jaguars, Etienne established himself as an elite dual-threat cornerstone, cementing his place in franchise history with 3,798 rushing yards (third all-time) and 25 touchdowns on the ground. His versatility was a focal point of the Jaguars’ offense, contributing 168 receptions for 1,338 yards and 7 receiving scores.

Replacing that level of production is a daunting task for Jacksonville, especially coming off Etienne’s standout 2025 campaign, where he rushed for 1,107 yards and registered a career-high 13 total touchdowns.

Losing a player who consistently guarantees over 1,000 rushing yards while serving as a reliable, explosive target out of the backfield forces the Jaguars into a challenging offensive transition, as modern, high-volume backs with his specific skill set are exceptionally rare in today’s NFL.

Liam Coen’s backfield for the 2026 NFL season

Liam Coen will deploy a completely revamped, committee-driven backfield for the Jaguars this season. Sophomores Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr.—both selected in the 2025 NFL Draft—are expected to handle the bulk of the explosive playmaking duties, with Tuten poised to take a significant leap after serving as a reliable red-zone threat during his rookie year.

Adding powerful depth to the rotation is Chris Rodriguez Jr., who brings valuable familiarity with Coen’s system from their college days together and will likely anchor the short-yardage and goal-line situations.

To round out the group, seasoned veterans Ameer Abdullah and DeeJay Dallas provide reliable pass-catching options out of the backfield and critical special teams versatility. While losing an elite feature back is never easy, Coen’s new-look stable offers a diverse, specialized mix of youth and experience tailored to keep defenses off-balance.

According to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated, “I have Washington at a three-year deal worth $55 million with $25 million in guarantees.” Shipley used Rashad Shaheed and Jayden Reed as reference for the deal Washington could sign.

However, Shipley saw those deals as the floor. “I have Washington getting a bit more than both of them,” he said. While the Jaguars have a deep wideout corp, Washington was one of the brightest spots on the roster. Trevor Lawrence trusted him blindly.

Jaguars updated WR depth chart

The Jaguars don’t have a very defined WR1. It was supposedly Brian Thomas Jr., but he hit a huge sophomore slump. Then they traded for Jakobi Meyers, who was a massive addition, but only played half a season. Hence, Parker Washington was the most consistent wideout. The team also has Travis Hunter, Josh Cameron, CJ Williams, and Tim Jones on the roster.

Names like Chandler Brayboy and Austin Trammell play a minimized role as well, but they got special teams snaps. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars love to spread the ball. Hence, they’ve got depth.

Parker Washington had a stellar season in 2025

This was Washington’s third year in the NFL, but it was surely the breakout season that can provide him with a huge bag. He had 58 receptions for 847 yards and five touchdowns. He led the Jaguars in receiving yards.

The Jaguars are fresh off a 13-4 season and are getting really pumped after Liam Coen’s first season as head coach. He not only restored Trevor Lawrence’s stock, but the team looked like a contender for many weeks.

Sanders coached Hunter into a top-tier two-way player with a Heisman trophy to his name. The Jaguars didn’t really know how to handle him during his rookie year before he suffered a season-ending injury.

Sanders appeared on the Barbershop podcast and said, “Don’t you think you would want to talk to me to let me know, to ask me how — what gets him going and what backs him off and, and what, like, you wouldn’t want to know that?”

Travis Hunter’s rookie numbers aren’t exciting

As a receiver, Hunter had 28 receptions for 298 yards and just one touchdown. He also had two drops. He had less yards than Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, and Brian Thomas Jr. to mention a few.

As a cornerback, he had no interceptions, just three passes defended, but allowed just a 50% pass completion and opposing quarterbacks had 68.3 passer rating. Hence, he showed glimpses on both sides, but wasn’t stellar.

The Jaguars still don’t know how to use Hunter

The Jaguars haven’t defined the role for Hunter as he recovers from his knee injury. The fact is Deion Sanders could definitely help the team on how Hunter must be exploited to get the best of him.

The missing pick is the result of their aggressive move in the 2025 draft process, when the Jaguars packaged future draft capital as part of the blockbuster trade to move up and select two-way star Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall.

That deal ultimately sent their 2026 first-round selection to Cleveland, leaving Jacksonville without a Day 1 pick in the current draft cycle. Now, the franchise must navigate the draft differently, relying on value selections starting in Round 2.

What the Jaguars losing their 2026 first-round pick means?

The Jacksonville Jaguars do not have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which significantly impacts their ability to add elite young talent on a cost-controlled rookie contract.

According to official draft trade records, the Jaguars packaged multiple assets — including their 2026 first-round pick — in order to move up to No. 2 overall and secure Travis Hunter, a rare two-way star. This means:

• No Day 1 pick in 2026
• Limited access to top-tier QB/EDGE/WR prospects
• Increased pressure on mid-round scouting hits
• More reliance on veteran roster building and trades

Can the Jaguars recover without a first-round pick?

The Jacksonville Jaguars can absolutely recover without a first-round pick in 2026, but it depends on whether their roster-building strategy continues to hit on mid-round value and whether their current core remains healthy and productive.

Even without a first-round selection, they are not entering a rebuilding phase. In fact, the team still holds 11 total draft picks in 2026, which ties them among the league leaders in draft volume.

That gives the Jaguars significant flexibility despite the absence of a Day 1 selection. The key point here is that the Jaguars are not starved of draft capital: they are missing premium positioning, not quantity.

What draft capital do the Jaguars still have in 2026?

The Jaguars still hold 11 total draft picks, including multiple selections in the third, fifth, and seventh rounds, as well as additional mid- and late-round picks acquired through previous trades:

• Round 2: No. 56
• Round 3: No. 81 (from Lions)
• Round 3: No. 88
• Round 3: No. 100 (from Lions; Special Compensatory Selection)
• Round 4: No. 124
• Round 5: No. 164
• Round 5: No. 166 (from 49ers through Eagles)
• Round 6: No. 203 (from Eagles through Texans and Eagles)
• Round 7: No. 233 (from Lions)
• Round 7: No. 240
• Round 7: No. 245 (from Rams through Texans)

This gives the team meaningful flexibility, especially on Day 2 of the draft, where many NFL starters are routinely found. They can still address key roster needs such as offensive line depth, pass rush and secondary help.

While they lack a premium first-round asset, they are far from empty-handed — and their draft strategy in 2026 will likely focus on maximizing volume and efficiency in the middle rounds rather than chasing a single elite prospect.

However, it’s the first round the one that matters the most. All top-tier talent is usually gone after the first 32 picks. This year, though, there are six teams that have no first-round picks. Each time will have different picks but the same time to select in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, and Cincinnati Bengals have no first round picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Conversely, this means there are teams with multiple first-round picks.

Why do these teams have no first-round picks?

The Jaguars traded their 2026 first-rounder to the Cleveland Browns in a 2025 draft deal to move up to pick Travis Hunter. The Falcons traded their pick to the Los Angeles Rams as part of a package for a 2025 first-round used in OLB James Pearce Jr.

The Packers traded away their pick as a part of the Micah Parsons deal. The Colts traded their first-rounder to acquire Sauce Gardner. As for the Broncos, their first pick was traded to the Dolphins for WR Jaylen Waddle. Lastly, the Bengals traded their 10th overall pick to the Giants to acquire Dexter Lawrence.

Can these teams still have something to say?

Not having picks doesn’t mean that these six teams won’t play a part. It’s been heavily rumored that the 2026 NFL Draft will feature plenty of trades. Hence, don’t discard any of these teams jumping in and being a part of draft day if they see the opportunity to enhance their roster.

According to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated, Tuten’s “role and opportunity is going to see a major hike… He is an effective rusher who can create plays on his own with his physically, while also having legit home-run speed.”

Even with the arrival of Chris Rodriguez, Shipley assures Tuten will be seen as a key player on the Jaguars offense after the 2026 NFL season. Tuten had 307 yards and seven total touchdowns during his rookie season.

Chris Rodriguez is a solid backup

Chris Rodriguez had to share snaps with Jeremy McNichols and Jacory Croskey-Merritt on the Commanders. He still had 500 yards and six touchdowns. Hence, while Tuten is expected to be RB1, Rodriguez will not make it easy.

We could perfectly see this become a run-by-committee in Jacksonville. Rodriguez has proven to be a productive option. Under the guidance of Liam Coen, who loves a good, deep running game, this rushing game could be a sleeper problem.

Can Rodriguez and Tuten be better than Travis Etienne?

With Etienne now on the Saints, the question is if these two running backs can have a better production than the 1,107 yards and 13 total touchdowns the now-Saint had in 2025. If they can’t, it will be quite a heavy mistake by the team to not address the issue.

“That’s not something we’ve gone into,” Gladstone told reporters , via the New York Post. “Obviously, he’s under contract with them, so not at liberty necessarily to even talk about it.”

A few days ago, the nose tackle requested a trade out of East Rutherford, even though Jim Harbaugh had shown interest in keeping him. What will ultimately be his destination this NFL season?

Current situation of Dexter Lawrence

The New York Giants and Dexter Lawrence have reached a breaking point following his recent trade request on April 6, 2026. Although he has two years remaining on the $90 million extension he signed in 2023, the market for elite interior defensive linemen has skyrocketed, with top salaries now exceeding $30 million annually.

Lawrence is currently seeking a contract adjustment to reflect his status as a premier player, as his current deal lacks guaranteed money for the final two seasons and ranks him outside the top 10 at his position. Despite his dip in statistical production last season, his high double-team rate remains vital to the defense, yet the Giants’ front office under GM Joe Schoen has shown little appetite for an immediate raise.

Several teams interested in Lawrence

While the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears have surfaced as the primary contenders looking to anchor their defensive fronts with Lawrence’s power, other early suitors have already pivoted. Specifically, the Jacksonville Jaguars were initially linked to the star, recently pulling out of the race.

Despite this, the Giants’ front office remains under pressure, as league insiders suggest they could still be swayed by a too good offer from Bengals if Cincinnati decides to outbid the NFC North rivals with a superior package of draft capital.

While the initial plan left the door open for both wide receiver and cornerback snaps, the latest reporting suggests the team believes a full-time defensive role is the most sustainable path forward. According to Ian Rapoport, the decision also aligns with Hunter’s recovery timeline as he works his way back from a right knee LCL injury.

“Travis Hunter is doing exceptionally well from that LCL tear. He has been running. They really do believe he’ll be fully healthy by training camp, but, when he comes back, they expect him to be a full time cornerback, part time receiver.”

Jaguars make final decision on Travis Hunter

The update effectively signals the end of the true two-way experiment with Travis Hunter, at least for now. Jacksonville had explored a rotational workload that would allow Hunter to contribute offensively in packages, but the physical toll and developmental priorities have pushed the coaching staff toward a more traditional role.

With training camp approaching, the expectation is that Hunter’s primary focus will be mastering coverage responsibilities, while any offensive usage becomes situational rather than foundational. For example, gadget plays.

Jaguars face criticism after Travis Hunter role decision

The reported plan has already fueled criticism toward general manager James Gladstone, particularly because of the aggressive move Jacksonville made to secure Hunter.

The Jaguars traded with the Cleveland Browns to climb to the No. 2 overall pick in 2025, surrendering significant capital that included their 2026 first-round selection. That type of investment typically signals a franchise cornerstone expected to impact multiple phases immediately.

If Hunter ultimately plays almost exclusively at cornerback, evaluators argue the value proposition becomes more complicated. His uniqueness as a two-way star was a major part of his appeal, and limiting him defensively could make the trade package appear steep in hindsight. While elite cornerbacks still carry premium value, critics believe the Jaguars effectively paid a dual-threat price for a single-position player.

Per Alessandra Pontbriand of WJXT4, Gladstone assured Hunter “will be a limited participant” throughout the offseason workouts. Hunter suffered a season-ending LCL injury during a practice on October 30.

The Jaguars’ running back room is settled trusting Bhayshul Tuten. However, Hunter is different, as he can play wideout and cornerback. He covers two positions and in both offense and defense.

Travis Hunter is trending towards one side of the football

While he had 67% of the snaps played on offense to just 36% on defense, the fact is Hunter was way more effective as a cornerback according to metrics. Also, there’s been rumors that Liam Coen, head coach of the team, is trending towards giving him more of a defensive output.

Having wideouts like Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, and Parker Washington also makes the decision easier. The Jaguars have depth, while the scenario is not alike on the corners. Hunter will be undoubtedly a CB1 if fully dedicated to defense.

Hunter is a boom-or-bust player

Being such a talked-about prospect, coming from Colorado, trained by Deion Sanders, and being a Shedeur Sanders teammate with big personality, Hunter has a lot of pressure on his shoulders.

His first season was underwhelming, and then he suffered the injury. Hence, now the pressure is even bigger. He was a second overall pick after all, plenty of hype was around him. He either delivers, or his career might spiral down.

Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday, Coen lauded Lawrence’s “toughness and humility,” noting that the quarterback’s durability throughout a grueling 17-game season was a major factor in Jacksonville’s AFC South title run.

“Four new systems, multiple different head coach situations, OCs, whatever it is,” Coen said. “Go throughout the season, and you find out, I mean, doesn’t miss a single practice, doesn’t miss a single throw in practice, played the whole season. MVP finalist, Comeback Player of the Year finalist, did some great things. There is so much room to continue to improve, and I think that’s what we’re excited about attacking.”

A stabilized foundation in Jacksonville

When Liam Coen joined the Jaguars in early 2025, he inherited a franchise that had struggled to find stability. The team had endured frequent coaching turnover, and the roster lacked the continuity and elite weaponry necessary to elevate Lawrence to the next level.

The landscape in Jacksonville has since shifted dramatically. Lawrence now benefits from a formidable supporting cast, including Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Mayers, and the versatile sensation Travis Hunter. This improved arsenal helped the Jaguars secure their third AFC South title and established the offense as one of the most explosive units in the conference.

Coen emphasized that his continued presence provides Lawrence with the rare luxury of system continuity, sparing him from the “relearning” process that hampered his early career. However, the path ahead remains difficult; the AFC South is arguably the most competitive it has been in years, with both the Colts and Texans coming off strong 2025 campaigns.

The cost of franchise success

The Jaguars’ commitment to Lawrence is reflected in the massive five-year, $275 million contract extension he signed in 2024. Although he dealt with a left shoulder AC joint sprain and a concussion during the initial year of that deal, his resilient and impressive 2025 campaign silenced any doubts regarding the investment.

With $200 million in total guarantees and an average annual salary of $55 million, the expectations for Lawrence are at an all-time high. The ultimate question remains: Can he lead the Jaguars to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history?