Get this, folks: Emmanuel Pregnon, the Jaguars’ third-round pick from the 2026 NFL Draft, was eyed as an instant impact candidate, and boy, is he delivering. After a killer offseason and a training camp climb up the depth chart, it looks like this dude is seriously gunning for a Week 1 starting spot on the offensive line. Talk about a rapid rise! Initially, everyone figured he’d develop in a backup role, but a mix of O-line injuries and his own head-turning performances completely flipped that script.
From Depth Chart Climber to First-Team Force
This isn’t just hype, it’s real. Pregnon has been working with the first-team offense, and Head Coach Liam Coen is absolutely gushing about him. Coen said Pregnon has “done a nice job so far of fitting in with the group while being himself,” adding that the guys are “starting to hang with them more, and have lunch together more, and just connecting.” That’s huge for a rookie, showing he’s not just a talent but a team player. Coen knew what they had coming out of the draft too, praising Pregnon’s “play style” calling him a “finisher” who “finishes blocks down the field,” “covers down,” and “cleans up the trash in the pocket.” This guy instinctively does “a lot of those things that we like and that we try to preach on a day-to-day basis.” That’s high praise from a head coach, highlighting a natural talent that’s tough to teach.
“Strong Man” With a Work Ethic That Won’t Quit
What really gets Coen fired up is Pregnon’s raw strength and ability. He called him “a people mover in ways like you can’t teach,” citing his “size and strength and ability to stay connected to people.” He’s talking about a dude with serious “hand strength,” calling him “a strong man.” Coen is literally excited about “maybe being able to run at him in ways too.” You know what that means: the Jaguars are planning to lean on this guy to open up running lanes, and that’s exactly what you want from your big men up front.
And it’s not just the coaches seeing it. Pregnon was one of Jacksonville’s highest-graded offensive players during preseason. He only played one game, but listen to this: he gave up just one pressure over 18 pass-blocking snaps and snagged a 70.0 run-blocking grade. Offensive Coordinator Grant Udinski is equally pumped, applauding his relentless work ethic. Udinski said he sees Pregnon “in here at the facility” at “10 o’clock at night” doing “recovery work” when he expects “only the cleaning crews around.” That’s dedication, plain and simple.
This kid’s work ethic and performance are screaming “future star” early in the season. With Week 1 on the horizon, all eyes are on Pregnon to see if he can cement that starting role and keep proving why the Jaguars are so excited about their “strong man” up front.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply