Jaguars GM James Gladstone claps back at consensus board complaints after 2026 NFL Draft

We are just a few days removed from the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have caught a little fire within the fanbase about how they operated the draft. Some experts are ranking the Jaguars’ draft as the worst of all the teams this season. In fact, Adam Schefter reported that the Jaguars almost attempted to try and trade back into the first round this season, rather than wait for 2027 when the draft is expected to have more talent.

Jags’ general manager James Gladstone clapped back at all the complaints and explained how the decisions are made behind closed doors.

#Jaguars GM James Gladstone on the consensus board debate:

“We build consensus internally, and that is leveraged at every pick point.”

He added that consensus doesn’t always align because they don’t take into account scheme or the situation a player is coming into.

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— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 28, 2026

“I listen to what is being said about players in a very real way,” Gladstone said. “I care about it, I listen to those in this building and people that we invited into this building, and what their perspective is on these players. We build consensus internally, and that is leveraged at every pick point. It is what guides our decision-making.”

“Ultimately, when we look at the guys we select, we aren’t looking at them without some consensus internally. Consensus mock drafts are a different conversation. Those don’t always align because they don’t take into consideration the exact scheme or situation that the player is walking into. Talent is one thing, but really, the intangible elements, the situational, and the timing of the arrival, those things are going to play a big part in what the rest of their careers are going to look like on the field and in a team organization.”

Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher was the Jaguars’ first pick of the draft in the second round. It’s obviously early, but that is considered a massive reach.

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