Jacksonville Jaguars pick standout Duke football defender in NFL Draft’s 4th round
Duke’s Wesley Williams will get his chance to play in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jags took the Blue Devils edge rusher in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday with the 119th overall pick — a pick acquired in a draft-day trade with the Carolina Panthers.
Williams is Duke’s first NFL Draft selection since Graham Barton (first round), 26th overall), DeWayne Carter (third round, 95th overall) and Jacob Monk (fifth round, 163rd overall) went in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Williams started 14 games as a redshirt junior for the Blue Devils last season as they captured the school’s first outright ACC football championship since 1962. He had 44 tackles, with two sacks and nine total tackles for losses.
Williams had a breakout season in 2024, notching 7.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss while also blocking two kicks on special teams. In 41 career games at Duke, including 29 starts, Williams had 131 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, four pass breakups, 28 quarterback pressures and five blocked kicks. On the Duke record chart, Williams finished tied for third in quarterback pressures.
Williams’ quickness off the snap and ability to shed blocks and get into the offensive backfield were strengths. One concern for the 6-4, 256-pounder was his strength at the point of attack.
“Williams plays every snap with a red-hot motor and intensity,” NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein said.
