Trebor Pena, an undrafted free agent, just grabbed a double dose of recognition from Pro Football Focus, and it’s making waves across the league. Coming out of Penn State, Pena entered Jacksonville Jaguars training camp needing to make a serious impression, and by August 26, 2026, he’s absolutely done that. The big question now is whether his incredible preseason run can actually crack a crowded wide receiver room that already has six spots seemingly locked down.
PFF Is Shouting His Name, Jacksonville
This dude’s stock has absolutely skyrocketed over the last two weeks of preseason action. We’re talking two seriously impressive performances that got PFF’s attention not once, but twice. Gordon McGuiness from PFF handed Pena a flex award for player of the week during the second week of preseason. And if that wasn’t enough, McGuiness also put him on the list of highest-graded rookies after two weeks of games, slotting him in at an eye-popping No. 15 overall with a massive 84.9 grade. That’s some serious love for an undrafted guy trying to make the squad.
The numbers Pena’s putting up are straight-up undeniable. McGuiness specifically called out his efficiency, noting Pena has caught seven of eight passes thrown his way this preseason, racking up 130 yards and a touchdown. But get this: he’s averaging 6.84 yards per route run, which is the best mark among all players in the entire NFL who have at least five preseason targets. Think about that for a second! He’s not just good, he’s leading the league in a key efficiency metric. Pena was among the highest-graded Jaguars players in both preseason games, but he really went off against the Carolina Panthers, earning a 91.2 grade after four receptions for 72 yards and a sweet 29-yard touchdown. He even led the Jaguars in receiving yards in both preseason contests.
Uphill Battle in a Crowded Room
Despite these insane numbers, Pena still has an uphill battle. The Jaguars’ wide receiver room is already stacked, with Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, Travis Hunter, Josh Cameron, and CJ Williams all on the roster. For Pena to make the team, he’d basically need to convince the Jaguars to carry a seventh wide receiver, which would definitely bolster their overall depth, especially with Hunter playing primarily on defense. A seventh receiver could give them more weapons not just in receiving, but also in run blocking and on special teams. Even then, Pena has to beat out other hopefuls, with Austin Trammell looking like his biggest competition.
It’s still super early to say he’s earned an active roster spot, but man, is he ever making a case for himself. Every single snap is crucial for Pena right now as he fights to turn those preseason grades into a full-time gig. The next games are everything for this guy.
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.
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