Freethinker
Hall of Famer
I wanted to start my 2026 previews with a bland team that no one else would possibly jump to write. Bring in the Jaguars! As I've said before, these squads for the last decade have not been "White friendly" nor ultra black. The Jaguars have mostly represented mediocrity or worse. Last year they took a genuine step towards being a successful franchise by bringing in men from the Rams organization / McVey coaching tree - GM James Gladstone and HC Liam Coen. They improved the demographics, developed Trevor Lawrence and got into the playoffs. Will 2026 bring more of the same, or a regression to Caste slop?
QB - Trevor Lawrence, Quinn Ewers
TE - Nate Boerkircher, Tanner Koziol
LT - Walker Little
C - Robert Hainsey, Jonah Monheim
RG - Ezra Cleveland, Wyatt Milum
RT - Cole Van Lanen
DE - Danny Striggow
SLB - Dennis Gardeck
WLB - Branson Combs*
K - Cam Little
P - Logan Cooke
LS - Ross Matiscik
*Listed as co-starter with Coen confirming both will play
IR: Garrett DiGiorgio (OL), Parker Hughes (LB)
IR (to return): Patrick Mekari (OL), Zach Durfee (DE)
PS: Nick Mullens (QB), Austin Trammell (WR), Hayden Rucci (TE), Eli Cox (OL), Kilian Zierer (OL), Jack Kiser (LB)
Total current White starters: 6*
Total Whites currently on 53-man roster: 16
Overall grade: D
The Jags take a dip on overall but stay around the same starter total. Its hard to give them more than a D, as its a typical Caste squad (White QB, OL and LB). 2 starting linebackers is nice but both are likely going to be on the lower usage side.
Trevor Lawrence is entering 2026 with plenty of momentum. Since being selected No. 1 overall in 2021, Lawrence has shown flashes of elite potential, including leading the Jaguars to the playoffs and a dramatic comeback victory in 2022. After an injury-shortened 2024 season, he bounced back in 2025 with 4,007 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and 9 rushing scores, helping Jacksonville finish 13–4 and win the AFC South. Now, the big question is whether 2026 will be the year Lawrence takes the next step from promising young quarterback to established NFL star. Quinn Ewers escapes the likely dumpster fire of Miami and goes to a coaching staff that boasts QB development as a strength. I like it. Last year's backup Nick Mullens is the 3rd QB and will reside on the PS.
No RBs or WRs this year, as Cody Schrader could never move up their lousy depth chart last year. Austin Trammell started last year on the PS and managed to have a pretty decent role as a depth receiver. I wouldn't be surprised if he again cracks the 53 and contributes as the season progresses.
The offensive line wasn't great last year but was "improving". Cole Van Lanen is the standout here. He ended last year as the number 8 overall tackle as graded by Aunt Crissey's rating mafia. Hainsey and Cleveland are both solid. Walker Little is probably too good, and too well paid, to remain the swing tackle. There was speculation that he would be traded. He's great depth if the sumo LT flops or succumbs to fat-related injuries.
On defense, long time strong safety Andrew Wingard departs but Branson Combs emerges to fill the starter total. Combs is very well liked by the coaching staff and has risen from the PS last year to co-starter this year! The other White starter is 32 year old vet Dennis Gardeck. I'd expect Gardeck to be a solid rotational contributor with his 2025 production is a reasonable baseline. If he stays healthy, around 40 tackles and 3 sacks feels like a realistic 2026 season. DE Danny Striggow is a clear 2nd teamer this season so expect a bit more snaps and production. One wonders if 7th round pick Zach Durfee out of the University of Washington lands on the active roster when he returns from the IR?
The special teams trio remains the same with Cam Little being one of the biggest legged kickers in all of NFL history. He holds the NFL record for longest kicks with a 68 and 67 yarder. In a preseason game he made a 70 yarder, so its possible he can break his record again.
QB - Trevor Lawrence, Quinn Ewers
TE - Nate Boerkircher, Tanner Koziol
LT - Walker Little
C - Robert Hainsey, Jonah Monheim
RG - Ezra Cleveland, Wyatt Milum
RT - Cole Van Lanen
DE - Danny Striggow
SLB - Dennis Gardeck
WLB - Branson Combs*
K - Cam Little
P - Logan Cooke
LS - Ross Matiscik
*Listed as co-starter with Coen confirming both will play
IR: Garrett DiGiorgio (OL), Parker Hughes (LB)
IR (to return): Patrick Mekari (OL), Zach Durfee (DE)
PS: Nick Mullens (QB), Austin Trammell (WR), Hayden Rucci (TE), Eli Cox (OL), Kilian Zierer (OL), Jack Kiser (LB)
Total current White starters: 6*
Total Whites currently on 53-man roster: 16
Overall grade: D
The Jags take a dip on overall but stay around the same starter total. Its hard to give them more than a D, as its a typical Caste squad (White QB, OL and LB). 2 starting linebackers is nice but both are likely going to be on the lower usage side.
Trevor Lawrence is entering 2026 with plenty of momentum. Since being selected No. 1 overall in 2021, Lawrence has shown flashes of elite potential, including leading the Jaguars to the playoffs and a dramatic comeback victory in 2022. After an injury-shortened 2024 season, he bounced back in 2025 with 4,007 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and 9 rushing scores, helping Jacksonville finish 13–4 and win the AFC South. Now, the big question is whether 2026 will be the year Lawrence takes the next step from promising young quarterback to established NFL star. Quinn Ewers escapes the likely dumpster fire of Miami and goes to a coaching staff that boasts QB development as a strength. I like it. Last year's backup Nick Mullens is the 3rd QB and will reside on the PS.
No RBs or WRs this year, as Cody Schrader could never move up their lousy depth chart last year. Austin Trammell started last year on the PS and managed to have a pretty decent role as a depth receiver. I wouldn't be surprised if he again cracks the 53 and contributes as the season progresses.
The offensive line wasn't great last year but was "improving". Cole Van Lanen is the standout here. He ended last year as the number 8 overall tackle as graded by Aunt Crissey's rating mafia. Hainsey and Cleveland are both solid. Walker Little is probably too good, and too well paid, to remain the swing tackle. There was speculation that he would be traded. He's great depth if the sumo LT flops or succumbs to fat-related injuries.
On defense, long time strong safety Andrew Wingard departs but Branson Combs emerges to fill the starter total. Combs is very well liked by the coaching staff and has risen from the PS last year to co-starter this year! The other White starter is 32 year old vet Dennis Gardeck. I'd expect Gardeck to be a solid rotational contributor with his 2025 production is a reasonable baseline. If he stays healthy, around 40 tackles and 3 sacks feels like a realistic 2026 season. DE Danny Striggow is a clear 2nd teamer this season so expect a bit more snaps and production. One wonders if 7th round pick Zach Durfee out of the University of Washington lands on the active roster when he returns from the IR?
The special teams trio remains the same with Cam Little being one of the biggest legged kickers in all of NFL history. He holds the NFL record for longest kicks with a 68 and 67 yarder. In a preseason game he made a 70 yarder, so its possible he can break his record again.