The Jacksonville Jaguars made some noise during the 2026 NFL Draft, and one pick in particular has fans wondering about the future of a veteran starter. With the selection of Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon in the third round, is Patrick Mekari's grip on the right guard spot starting to slip?

Pregnon brings impressive credentials to the table. According to Pro Football Focus, he was one of the highest-graded run-blockers at his position in the entire draft class. In pass protection, he was equally solid, allowing just one sack and five pressures over 471 pass-blocking snaps. His size adds a new dimension to a Jaguars offensive line that's been searching for stability.

That search for consistency became especially urgent during the second half of last season, when the line struggled to open running lanes for Travis Etienne. The ground game sputtered, and much of the pressure fell on the front five to deliver. Mekari, for his part, ranked 63rd out of 83 eligible guards in run-blocking grade per PFF. In pass protection, he surrendered 34 pressures—the 12th-most among guards—along with two sacks, tying him for 58th in pass-blocking efficiency.

As any football fan knows, success starts up front. A steady offensive line gives the quarterback time to work and the running game room to breathe. Mekari has experience on his side, but last summer, head coach Liam Coen showed he's not afraid to embrace competition along the line. With Pregnon now in the mix, there's every reason to believe Coen will take the same approach this season.

The battle for the starting right guard spot is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing storylines of Jaguars training camp. Whether Mekari holds onto his job or Pregnon earns a promotion, one thing is clear: the Jaguars are committed to building a stronger, more consistent offensive line for 2026.