With the 100th pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Maryland defensive back Jalen Huskey.
Here is a full breakdown with everything you need to know.
Profile
- Height: 6-01
- Weight: 205
- Age: 22
Quick breakdown
Huskey is a versatile defender, playing all over the defensive backfield, including lining up at free safety and in the box during his career. Last season, he allowed a completion rate when targeted of 65%, but held pass-catchers to only 7.4 yards per reception. He also logged 11 interceptions over three seasons with six pass breakups, showcasing impressive ball production.
He is a sound tackler as well. This allowed Huskey to make an impact in the run game, where he was one of PFF’s higher graded safeties, and in the pass game, limiting YAC opportunities.
Jalen Huskey’s athletic profile
Jalen Huskey was drafted in round 3 with pick 100 in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 7.04 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 390 out of 1313 FS from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/90Dt7W1v0Apic.twitter.com/riNtCqvoxT
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 25, 2026
Scouting report on Jalen Huskey
“Three-year starting split-field safety with adequate size but deficient speed. Huskey piled up interceptions, showing his ball skills and instincts. However, he’s slow to accelerate from transitions and lacks quality make-up speed, so receivers can get open and stay open when he’s forced to match them. He’s not a thumper but does his job near the line of scrimmage as a run defender. Huskey’s ball production and willingness in run support will be counter-balanced by his lack of speed/short-area quickness in coverage. A back-end roster spot could be his ceiling.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
They said it
GM James Gladstone: “We talked a little bit about the bigger personnel groupings becoming a trend. Well, to combat that, you’re getting hybrid safety corners and bigger bodies at the position that can help match that a little bit more effectively. And you know, something that we prioritize not only on the defensive back end, but across the entire roster is versatility, and so he certainly offers that, but at the same time, his play style is one that is extremely aggressive and tough and physical. And so that really captured our attention and our hearts.”
Jalen Huskey’s fit with the Jaguars
As mentioned, Huskey brings another versatile presence to the Jaguars’ secondary, an important element in Anthony Campanile’s defensive system. He could have the opportunity to compete for the third safety spot on the depth chart, with Caleb Ransaw and Rayuan Lane. We saw a lot of three-safety looks from Campanile last season. But Huskey’s initial contributions may come more so on special teams.
Jalen Huskey highlights
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Full breakdown of new Jaguars’ DB Jalen Huskey