Jacksonville Jaguars position-by-position breakdown: Tight End
By Billy Long
Part four of breaking down each positional group for the Jacksonville Jaguars heading into 2018.
The next installment of analyzing the roster for the Jacksonville Jaguars brings us to the tight end position. Tight end is arguably the weakest unit for the Jaguars, and that was clearly evident last season.
Jacksonville lacked any production from the group in the passing game, and that has been the case for multiple seasons now.
Looking ahead to 2018, let’s examine how the position stacks up right now, and what could, and must, change heading into the season:
As it stands right now
Marcedes Lewis, Ben Koyack, James O’Shaughnessy
The veteran Marcedes Lewis continued to lead the unit even in his 12th season. Lewis didn’t put up eye-popping receiving numbers, but as usual was an effective red-zone threat and an underappreciated blocker.
Behind Lewis was the indistinguishable duo of Ben Koyack and James O’Shaughnessy. The two tight ends combined for just 19 receptions and only two touchdowns, shedding light on the severe lack of playmaking at the position.
What could happen for 2018
Tight end is one of the most crucial needs for improvement this offseason for the Jaguars. Marcedes Lewis continues to be a reliable blocker, but a receiving threat at the position is a major attribute in today’s league, and Jacksonville just doesn’t have one at the moment.
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The Jaguars can look to both free agency and the draft in 2018, with each having a talented crop of intriguing players to potentially end the reign of underproduction at the position.
In free agency, Jimmy Graham and Tyler Eifert are the headliners of the class, but a solid breakout prospect to take a flyer on could be Trey Burton, who is coming off the Super Bowl victory with the Philadelphia Eagles.
In the draft, Dallas Goedert or Hayden Hurst could each be an early round selection for the team, and both have been placed in Jacksonville in various mock drafts, Goedert here and Hurst here.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have few areas of weakness heading into next season, but tight end is the biggest. The team must address the issue, and bring in a guy to open up the middle of the field and be a threat in the passing game.