Four Key Position Groups Driving the Jaguars' 6-2 Start

We are officially halfway through the 2026 NFL season, and the Jacksonville Jaguars sit at a surprising 6-2.

According to a report by The Independent Florida Alligator, the team leads the AFC South and would clinch a home playoff game as a division winner if the postseason started today.

The next-leading team in the division is the Houston Texans at 3-5. Jacksonville still has two games left against the Tennessee Titans, plus one against both the Texans and Indianapolis Colts.

With a demanding nine-game push ahead, four distinct position groups have carried the load during this early stretch.

The running back room faced heavy skepticism following the departure of Travis Etienne Jr. Yet, second-year back Bhayshul Tuten stepped into the void with 521 yards and four touchdowns on 122 carries through eight games, as reported by The Independent Florida Alligator.

Tuten also factored heavily into the passing attack. He hauled in 15 receptions for 181 yards and three scores, helping Jacksonville average over 117 rushing yards per game.

To keep Tuten fresh, the front office added Chris Rodriguez Jr. The veteran ballcarrier contributed 55 carries for 228 yards and four touchdowns, proving reliable between the tackles in short-yardage scenarios.

Four Key Position Groups Driving the Jaguars' 6-2 Start

Trevor Lawrence has completed 146 of 224 passes for 1,932 yards this season. Much of that production has filtered through an impressive tight end room.

Brenton Strange ranks second on the team with 37 targets, matching wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. Strange has caught 30 passes for 356 yards and a touchdown.

Meanwhile, rookie tight end Nate Boerkircher broke out with 144 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 16 yards per catch, securing 9 of his 12 targets.

Against the Baltimore Ravens, Boerkircher posted the Jaguars’ second-highest total offense grade at 81.6 per Pro Football Focus. He caught two passes for 61 yards in that matchup.

Opponents score just 15.1 points per game against Jacksonville’s defense. The linebacker corps anchors that unit, led by Foyesade Oluokun and Ventrell Miller.

Oluokun and Miller lead the team with 58 and 48 tackles, respectively. They combined for eight tackles for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Branson Combs provided depth with 25 total tackles, two pass deflections, an interception, and a fumble recovery. Along the line, Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen combined for 11 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Jacksonville cornerbacks allowed 229 passing yards per game during the first half. Even so, the defensive backfield collected 11 interceptions to stall drives in the red zone.

Travis Hunter tallied 31 tackles, six pass deflections, and two interceptions after transitioning to a full-time defensive role. Jourdan Lewis added a team-high three interceptions alongside 22 tackles and three deflections.

Jarrian Jones rounded out the group with 24 tackles and an interception. The secondary faces its next test when the Jaguars travel to face the 1-7 Tennessee Titans.

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