Jaguars Eyeing Versatile OL Prospect at No. 56

Northwestern's Caleb Tiernan could provide depth and flexibility on the offensive line for Jacksonville.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:24pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented movements and perspectives of an offensive lineman in action, using the bold teal, black, and gold colors of the Jacksonville Jaguars to conceptually represent their search for versatile offensive line depth.An abstract, deconstructed illustration captures the versatility and potential impact of an offensive line prospect for the Jacksonville Jaguars.Today in Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Jaguars hold the 56th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and have a variety of options to consider. While the team's defensive needs have been the focus, one offensive line prospect that could make sense is Northwestern's Caleb Tiernan. Tiernan has experience at both tackle and guard, providing the Jaguars with depth and flexibility along the offensive line.

Why it matters

The Jaguars are in a position to take the best player available at No. 56, and Tiernan's versatility could make him an attractive option. With the team returning 10 of 11 starters on offense, they have the luxury of addressing depth and future needs rather than immediate starting roles.

The details

Tiernan started 44 games at Northwestern, with 38 at left tackle and 6 at right tackle. While he did not play guard in college, he is projected to have the ability to slide inside at the next level. This would give the Jaguars options to provide depth at both tackle and guard, especially with left tackle Cole Van Lanen's recovery timeline uncertain.

  • The Jaguars hold the 56th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

Caleb Tiernan

A versatile offensive lineman from Northwestern who started 44 games, with experience at both tackle and the potential to play guard in the NFL.

Liam Coen

The Jaguars' general manager who has emphasized positional flexibility in the team's offensive line investments.

James Gladstone

The Jaguars' assistant general manager who discussed the team's approach to finding contributors in the middle rounds of the draft.

Cole Van Lanen

The Jaguars' starting left tackle whose recovery timeline is uncertain, creating a potential need for depth at the position.

Walker Little

The Jaguars' offensive tackle who could provide depth alongside Tiernan if he is selected.

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What they’re saying

“Those slots that you're thinking about are more contributing slots. When you're talking about first-year players, typically that's the expectation, finding a way to contribute and offer a positive impact. It can be a little bit more challenging on the early end of a season as a rookie or even towards mid-season to really feel that come to life.”

— James Gladstone, Jaguars Assistant General Manager

What’s next

The Jaguars will have to wait until the 56th overall pick to make their first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, but they have a variety of options to consider, including versatile offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan from Northwestern.

The takeaway

With the Jaguars returning the majority of their starters on both offense and defense, they have the luxury of focusing on depth and future needs in the middle rounds of the draft. Caleb Tiernan's versatility along the offensive line could make him an attractive option at No. 56, providing insurance at tackle while also having the potential to contribute at guard down the road.