New NFL Draft Rumors Reveal Jaguars' Attempts to Trade Coveted 2027 1st-Rounder for 2026 Pick

The Jacksonville Jaguars reportedly were so interested in trading back into the first round in the 2026 NFL draft that they were willing to give up a first-rounder in next year's draft even though the expectation is there will be more talented players to choose from in 2027.

"The Jacksonville Jaguars actually considered, this year, trading up and back into the first round in a draft that a lot of people didn't love to give away their first-round draft pick next year in the 2027 draft that everybody can't wait for," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday.

"And, because that draft is so coveted and highly anticipated, they wanted the team that was getting their one next year to give them their one this year and an additional Day 2 or 3 pick. So they wanted extra compensation to trade into this draft for next year."

Jacksonville has certainly been aggressive of late, including in the 2025 draft when it traded the Nos. 5, 36 and 126 picks, along with its 2026 first-rounder, to the Cleveland Browns for the Nos. 2, 104 and 200 picks in 2025.

The purpose of that move was to draft Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, but it was still quite the price to pay.

And it left the Jaguars without a first-rounder in this year's draft.

The AFC South team didn't select until the 24th pick of the second round when it chose Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher.

This is a club in the middle of a win-now window after winning the AFC South in 2025 with a 13-4 record. With quarterback Trevor Lawrence leading an offense that also features Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers and Brenton Strange, among others.

Its front office may believe it is just an impact player or two away from contending for a Super Bowl and attempted to trade into the first round to get that player. But it was unable to complete such a trade and instead had to wait for the second round.

Ultimately, that may end up benefitting the Jaguars. After all, the draft could be loaded with headliners such as Arch Manning, Dante Moore, Jeremiah Smith, Colin Simmons, Leonard Moore, Cam Coleman, Dylan Stewart and more.

Having a first-rounder in that draft will be particularly valuable, and the Jaguars still do since they did not complete this trade.