With the Jaguars set to open the 2026 season against the Browns in just two days, the first real question is simple: who gets the first snap, and who sets the tone on both sides of the ball?
At quarterback, there’s no mystery. Trevor Lawrence is the guy, and he’s on the doorstep of a notable milestone. If he throws two touchdown passes, Lawrence will hit 100 career passing touchdowns and become just the fourth player in NFL history to reach 100 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns before turning 27 years old.
In the backfield, Bhayshul Tuten gets the nod in my book. I wouldn’t expect a huge separation in workload between Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr., but Tuten feels like the first running back on the field.
At receiver, the opening trio is Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, and Parker Washington. Liam Coen already confirmed Friday that Travis Hunter will get snaps at wide receiver, but this was always the expected starting group. Washington, in particular, has the look of a player who could matter right away.
Tight end is straightforward, too. Brenton Strange is set to be on the field plenty, and when the Jaguars lean into two-tight-end looks, rookie Nate Boerkircher should be the other man out there. If Jacksonville opens in 12 or 13 personnel, the No. 56 pick would count as a technical starter.
Up front, Anton Harrison is still the projection at left tackle, even though he wasn’t on the field during Friday’s open media portion of practice. Emmanuel Pregnon is penciled in at left guard, giving the Jaguars just their second Week 1 rookie starter over the last two seasons.
Robert Hainsey holds down center, bringing some needed steadiness in his second year as a team captain. Ezra Cleveland, after spending most of his Jaguars run at left guard, looked sharp making the move to right guard late in camp and enters a key contract season.
At right tackle, I’m calling Cole Van Lanen to return to the starting lineup and play the full game.
The defensive front starts with Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, both healthy and both expected to carry big roles. Since 2021, Hines-Allen and Walker have each posted 4.0 sacks in season openers, making them one of only two active NFL duos to do that, alongside Steelers LBs T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
Davon Hamilton remains central to the run defense and should again be the starting nose tackle. Matt Dickerson likely gets the first-down run-defender label early, while Arik Armstead takes the heavier load in passing situations.
Foyesade Oluokun is locked in, and maybe even more vital now than in past seasons. Across from him, Ventrell Miller is the player I’d expect to officially replace Devin Lloyd in the starting lineup.
Cleveland wants to run the ball, and Miller fits that job as a true thumper. Branson Combs should get work there, too.
At cornerback, Travis Hunter is stepping in as a starter and will line up in Week 1 across from veteran Montaric Brown. Jarrian Jones could also see snaps there. The other corner spot is a tougher read between Jourdan Lewis and Jarrian Jones, but Lewis feels like the best guess to be on the field first.
At safety, Antonio Johnson should be close to an every-snap player on Sunday. Caleb Ransaw should also be involved, with Jalen Huskey possibly mixing in for certain packages.
In Other News...
Jaguars Fans Heading To The Opener Need To Know This First
The Jaguars 2026 home opener against the Browns comes with a little more planning than usual, thanks to the ongoing renovations at EverBank Stadium. With seating capacity reduced, the team has put out detailed guidance on parking, traffic flow and which entry gates fans should use, a reminder that getting in and getting settled may take a bit more patience than it has in past Septembers.
The opener also doubles as the clubs 9/11 Remembrance game, so there will be added ceremony before kickoff. Along with the memorial observance, the Jaguars are planning a naturalization oath ceremony and recognition of military veterans, making it one of those early-season dates where the football, the pageantry and the logistics all come together at once. [Read more 🡒]
Browns May Have A Week 1 Weapon Jaguars Cant Ignore
Clevelands quarterback picture remains one of the more intriguing parts of the Browns outlook, and it is part of what makes their Week 1 matchup with the Jaguars so tricky to handicap. Chris Pokorny pointed to the uncertainty under center, the defensive talent still on the roster, and the way first-time head coach Todd Monken could shape the offense as the Browns try to settle into a new identity heading into 2026.
For Jacksonville, the challenge is less about a single headline and more about the collective stress the Browns can put on a season opener. The trade of Myles Garrett changed the look of Clevelands defense, but the Browns still have enough pieces to make life difficult, and the quarterback conversation around Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders only adds another layer of unpredictability. When a team is still sorting out who it wants to be, it can be dangerous right away. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Are Still Betting On Deshaun Watson Against The Jaguars
Deshaun Watson is set to open the season as Clevelands starter, and the Browns are carrying that decision into a tough early stretch that includes the Jaguars in Week 1. Offensive coordinator Travis Switzer said Watson will be under center when the Browns line up against Jacksonville, while also noting the expectation that the quarterback will settle in more comfortably as the offense unfolds.
For Jacksonville, it adds another layer to a season opener that already had plenty of weight. The Browns are leaning on Watsons experience even with the injury concerns that have followed him, and they are planning to keep him in place for the next two games as well, including a matchup with Tampa Bay. It leaves the Jaguars preparing for a familiar name with a less familiar level of certainty around him. [Read more 🡒]