The Jacksonville Jaguars brought back all their starting offensive linemen from 2025, but that doesn't mean they won't make any changes next season. A couple of jobs (and as many as three) could be up for grabs, and rookie Emmanuel Pregnon could earn one of them.
Pregnon was projected to go early in the second round but somehow fell to the third. The Jags ended his slide when they took him at No. 88. While they caught plenty of heat for the rest of their draft class, they got rave reviews for picking the former Oregon Duck.
Already, Pregnon flashed in the offseason program, and he could make a bid for a starting job next season with a strong training camp. Heck, Josh Shipley of Sports Illustrated believes it's a matter of time before he does, and it's easy to understand why.
How could Emmanuel Pregnon shake up the Jaguars depth chart
Pregnon has more experience on the left side but started at both guard spots in college. That kind of versatility could allow him to push veterans Patrick Mekari and Ezra Cleveland.
After seven seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Mekari signed a three-year deal worth $37.5 million in 2025 to start at right guard. He left much to be desired, giving up two sacks and 34 total pressures. It didn't help that the former California Golden Bear suffered a back injury late in the season, but he struggled even before then.
It's worth noting that Mekari had never played right guard full-time before. He had lined up at multiple spots for the Ravens, but it wasn't until 2024 that he settled at left guard. Perhaps with another season in Jacksonville, the veteran hog molly may be able to get back on the right track. That said, he'll need to look over his shoulder, with Pregnon lurking behind. The same is true for Cleveland.
Unlike Mekari, Cleveland had a pretty good 2025. However, he's entering a contract year, and if he slips a bit in training camp, the Jaguars could consider replacing him with Pregnon. In fact, Jacksonville could place Cleveland on the trade block if his rookie counterpart shines early on.
After all, trading Cleveland would free up $4 million in space (with $7 million in dead money). It's probably not a huge amount but certainly big enough to at least consider it. Similarly, Pregnon could allow the Jags to move on from Mekari next season if he were to supplant him as the starter at right guard.
This doesn't mean that Emmanuel Pregnon will start as a rookie, but if he does, he'll give the Jaguars ample roster flexibility. This is why his development will be one of the biggest storylines to follow in the upcoming months.
