James Gladstone Named Jaguars General Manager: A Bright New Regime

The Jacksonville Jaguars have officially named James Gladstone as their new general manager. Previously serving as the Los Angeles Rams’ director of scouting strategy, Gladstone brings a wealth of experience and an impressive track record in talent evaluation. The hire, announced Friday, marks a pivotal shift for the Jaguars as they look to build a sustainable contender in the AFC South.

“It’s my honor to introduce James Gladstone as the new general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Jaguars Owner Shad Khan said in a statement.

Gladstone spent nine seasons with the Rams, ascending through various scouting and personnel roles. He was the team’s director of scouting strategy for the past three seasons and played a crucial role in their draft success. His tenure in Los Angeles saw him contribute to a Super Bowl-winning roster and a consistently competitive team despite limited draft capital.

Khan praised Gladstone’s vision, communication skills, and ability to identify talent. “James emerged as my choice, and our choice, following a painstaking but energizing interview process that left nothing to doubt,” Khan stated. “Every candidate delivered, and I am grateful to them all for their preparation and time spent with us this week in Jacksonville. In the end, we found James to be a class ahead and exceptional in every regard—vision, new ideas, communication, chemistry, and a keen understanding of the league and our team, to name a few of many virtues he will bring immediately to the Jaguars.”

A Proven Eye for Talent

Gladstone played a major role in the Rams’ ability to find hidden gems in the draft. Despite having minimal high-round selections. James helped unearth stars like Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, Steve Avila, Byron Young, Kobie Turner, and Ethan Evans in 2023 all of whom are starters. His 2024 draft class also looks promising, featuring names like Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Kamren Kinchens, Joshua Karty, Beaux Limmer, Blake Corum, and Jordan Whittington. That’s 11 starters drafted in two years along with impactful role players—a testament to his scouting acumen.

Gladstone paved the way to bringing in superstar talent with very little resources. Puka Nacua is one of the best receivers in the league taken in the 5th round. Kyren is an elite young running back whom Gladstone found as an undrafted free agent. Kobie Turner and Byron Young have had 8+ sacks each in both of their first 2 seasons and were both taken in the 3rd round in 2023. Not to mention the Rams first pick on day 1 in nearly a decade, since 2016 when selected Jared Goff, Gladstone and the Rams go out and get the defensive player of the year in Jared Verse.

The Jaguars have historically struggled with the draft, often focusing on raw athletic traits over proven football ability. That philosophy appears set to change under Gladstone. He prioritizes well-rounded players who bring leadership, strong work ethics, and immediate impact on the field.

One of Gladstone’s greatest strengths is his holistic approach to player evaluation. He does not just rely on traditional scouting methods, such as film study and combine performances. Instead, he places a strong emphasis on character assessment, leadership qualities, and how players handle adversity. He meticulously studies press conferences, team interactions, and even off-field behavior to ensure that the players he selects will not only perform well on Sundays but also contribute positively to the locker room culture.

A Wealth of Resources to Work With

Unlike his time in Los Angeles, where the Rams frequently traded away high draft picks, Gladstone will have an abundance of resources in Jacksonville. The Jaguars currently own the most draft picks in the league with 10 selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, including six in the first four rounds:

1st Round: 1 pick
2nd Round: 1 pick
3rd Round: 2 picks
4th Round: 2 picks
5th Round: 1 pick
6th Round: 2 picks
7th Round: 1 pick

Additionally, the Jaguars have substantial cap flexibility. As of now, they hold over $38 million in cap space for 2025, which itself is a good number. That number could increase drastically though if the team moves on from certain veterans such as Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, Josh Reynolds, Ronald Darby, Luke Fortner, and Devin Duvernay. Moving on from these 6 players alone would free up an additional $43 million cap space bring the Jaguars to a grand total of about $82 million.

This level of flexibility gives Gladstone a rare opportunity to shape the roster in his vision. Whether through the draft or free agency, he will be able to target key positions of need while still maintaining financial stability for the future. Given his track record, Jaguars fans can expect him to approach free agency with the same level of meticulous scouting as he does the draft, ensuring that the team gets only the best talent and leadership available.

Expect a Busy Offseason

I do not expect the Jaguars to lay low during their first offseason under Gladstone. Instead, I anticipate some big splashes in free agency and the draft, potentially including a few trades. Jacksonville has the resources to be aggressive, and Gladstone’s history suggests he will make calculated moves to maximize the team’s talent. Here are some big names in free agency to watch out for the Jaguars to pursue.

One intriguing free agent to watch is wide receiver Chris Godwin, who has a connection to head coach Liam Coen from their time together. However, a move for Godwin likely hinges on whether the Jaguars part ways with Christian Kirk.

At right guard, with Brandon Scherff set to hit free agency, the Jaguars could target Trey Smith, Teven Jenkins, or Will Fries to solidify their offensive line. Each of these linemen offers a blend of power and athleticism that would fit well within Jacksonville’s scheme. Keeping Trevor Lawrence upright is going to be crucial for the Jaguars success and bringing in a guard like Trey Smith is exactly how you do that.

Safety is another position of interest, especially with Andre Cisco entering free agency. The Jaguars could pursue Trevon Moehrig, JeVon Holland, or Talanoa Hufanga, all of whom bring playmaking ability and strong coverage skills to the backend of a defense that needs reinforcements.

The Future is Bright in Duval

With a strong talent evaluator like Gladstone at the helm, the Jaguars are in prime position to reshape their roster. His ability to find high-impact players outside of the early rounds should allow Jacksonville to build a deeper, more sustainable team.

Beyond just his talent evaluation, Gladstone is also known for his strong relationships within the league. His ability to foster positive working relationships with agents, players, and other front office executives will play a crucial role in Jacksonville’s ability to attract top talent. Just look at how Sean McVay and Les Snead with the Rams speak of James, it is only with the utmost respect. With the right hires in player development and scouting, he can help turn the Jaguars into one of the best-run organizations in the NFL.

Jaguars fans have long endured frustration with the team’s draft struggles and roster mismanagement. But with Gladstone calling the shots, the organization is poised for a new era of smart, efficient team-building. His track record speaks for itself, and his arrival signals a commitment to long-term success rather than short-term gambles.

This is by far and away the most talented core of minds the Jaguars have had during Trevor Lawrence’s tenure. With a brilliant young offensive mind at head coach in Liam Coen, three very young coordinators as coaches, and a young genius as general manager the Jaguars future is finally headed in the right direction. It is clear the Jaguars are emphasizing that this is all about Trevor Lawrence, and I believe this group of leaders will finally bring out the best of the young quarterback.

As Gladstone steps into this new role, all eyes will be on him to see how he approaches his first draft and free agency period with the team. If history is any indication, Jaguars fans can expect a methodical, disciplined approach that prioritizes talent, character, and long-term impact.

Welcome to Duval, James Gladstone! The future of the Jaguars is in great hands.