Predicting Jaguars' Compensatory Draft Picks for Upcoming Free Agency

It always hurts losing key players in free agency, but there might be some silver linings for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) rushes for yards against Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (7) during the second quarter of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to improve their roster this offseason. The team came dangerously close to title contention in its first year under Head Coach Liam Coen. Now that the Jags and their fanbase have gotten a taste of postseason football, they'll want to ensure that they get back to the playoffs next year and make a deeper run this time around.

The future is bright in Duval, but General Manager James Gladstone and the rest of the brass have to ensure that they take the appropriate measures to keep the roster and the team moving forward. In the NFL, if a franchise isn't improving, it's regressing. Not only do they have to make the right additions this offseason, but they'll also have to ensure that they either retain their key pieces or replace them.

Apr 25, 2025; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head general manager James Gladstone talks to the media during a press conference to introduce first round draft pick Travis Hunter (not pictured) at Miller Electric Center. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images | Travis Register-Imagn Images

Jaguars could land compensatory picks from this free agency period

Teams are bound to lose talent in free agency. There's only so much money that can go around with the NFL salary cap, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are up against it after this season. That puts them in danger of losing some significant talent this offseason. On the plus side, the NFL has measures in place to help teams replace the pieces they can no longer afford: compensatory picks.

The Jaguars won't be given draft capital for every player they lose in free agency. Only "compensatory free agents" count, players who change teams that are ranked within the top 35 percent of the league in a points system based on new contract earnings, snap count from the previous year, and awards from the prior season. These will also only come into play if Jacksonville loses more qualified CFAs than it adds in free agency.

Jaguars' potential CFAs

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) looks on from the sideline during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 41-7, capturing the AFC South title. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

1. Devin Lloyd

If Devin Lloyd is to leave in free agency, the Jaguars will almost certainly be awarded a compensatory pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Non-EDGE linebackers aren't a premium position, but Lloyd was one of the best in the entire league this past year. He should land a handsome contract, somewhere between $12-18 million AAV, along the lines of Terrel Bernard and Nick Bolton. On top of his new contract, Lloyd will earn points for his snap count, 68 percent, and his Second-Team All-Pro nod.

Verdict: 4th-round pick

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) walks off the field after losing to the Bills during an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. Bills lead 10-7 at the half over the Jaguars. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

2. Travis Etienne Jr.

Travis Etienne Jr. won't be nearly as valuable as Lloyd in the eyes of the NFL. As a running back, he won't command nearly as much in free agency. He also played fewer snaps and didn't come away as an All-Pro or win any of the major awards from the NFL's Pro Writers Association. Still, Jacksonville won't lose him for nothing.

Verdict: 5th-round pick

Dec 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) breaks up a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images | Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

3. Montaric Brown

After a breakout season, Montaric Brown is one of four free agents from the Jaguars who could make major money this offseason. Pro Football Focus had him graded as a top-20 cornerback this year. If he's paid as such, it should land him around $15 million AAV. He also played over 71 percent of snaps for Jacksonville's defense in 2025.

Verdict: 4th-round pick

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Greg Newsome II (6) enters the stadium before an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

4. Greg Newsome II

Greg Newsome II didn't have a great season for the Jaguars in 2025, but he plays a premium position and has put together enough good tape to land a decent contract this offseason from a team desperate for help in the secondary. He could garner between $8-12 million a year, depending on how the market plays out. He also played more snaps than Lloyd, Etienne, and Brown in the 2025 campaign.

Verdict: 5th or 6th-round pick

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