The Jacksonville Jaguars need to give their tight end room a boost.
The Jacksonville Jaguars ranked near the bottom of most offensive categories in 2020. Their inconsistent quarterback play was the main reason behind it, but a lack of production from their tight end room also played a role in the team’s inability to move the ball downfield and score points.
The Jaguars’ offense scored 25 receiving touchdowns and their tight ends were responsible for two of them. The team’s top two tight ends, Tyler Eifert and James O’Shaughnessy combined for 64 receptions for 601 yards. If this Jacksonville team wants to start putting points on the scoreboard, they will need to get better production from their tight ends.
The ‘Jags’ gave Eifert a two-year $9.5 million contract in the offseason. While it’s a cap-friendly deal, the team could release him and save $5 million with a $1.125 million dead cap hit. Jacksonville isn’t in need of cap space but paying tight end’s production in 2020 doesn’t justify paying him the $6.5 million he is set to earn this upcoming season.
On the other hand, O’Shaughnessy will become a free agent, but the Jaguars could bring him back on an affordable contract. Last season, he had a $910,000 base salary and the team could offer him a similar deal. Regardless of who stays, Jacksonville must upgrade their tight end room, and these four players will be the best available options this offseason.
These are the two best tight ends the Jacksonville Jaguars can target.
1. Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers
The Jaguars are projected to have $77.61 million on cap space, and they will have to opportunity to target pretty much any free agent they please this offseason. If they want to sign a tight end, Hunter Henry will be one of the best to hit the open market in 2021. Even though his numbers aren’t earth-shattering, he has logged at least 600 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the last two seasons.
Keep in mind Henry has been the third receiving option in a Los Angeles Chargers’ offense that features wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, but could have a more prominent role in another team. Although he missed all of 2018 with a torn ACL and has missed six games in the last two years. He has the physical tools and the talent to reach the top echelon of tight ends.
2. Kyle Pitts, Florida Gators
Florida’s Kyle Pitts is the best tight end prospect in this year’s draft. As a junior, he hauled in 43 receptions for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns and won the 2020 John Mackey Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding tight end in college football.
Pitts will likely be a top 15 draft pick in 2021’s draft. While using the first overall pick on him is out of the question, the Jaguars hold the 21st overall selection and they could try to trade up and target the former Gators tight end.
These are two other good tight ends the Jacksonville Jaguars can pursue.
3. Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Rams
The Jaguars are going to have options this offseason. If they aren’t interested in Hunter Henry or Jonnu Smith of the Tennesee Titans, they could also pursue tight end Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett. Originally a second-round pick in 2017, the South Alabama product has become a key cog in head coach Sean McVay’s offense.
Everett’s numbers won’t wow anybody, but just like Henry, he isn’t the focal point of his offense and could have better production with another team. This past season, he hauled in a solid 41 receptions for 417 yards and one touchdown. The fact he may come cheaper than either Smith and Titans could appeal to the Jags.
4. Pat Freiermuth, Penn State
If the Jaguars aren’t interested in trading up to get Kyle Pitts, Pat Freiermuth offers an enticing fallback option. The Penn State standout is currently 26th in CBS 2021 NFL draft prospect ranking and is arguably the most physical and aggressive tight end in this draft class.
Although Freiermuth missed the 2020 season with a shoulder injury that required surgery, he broke the school record for career touchdowns by a tight end. He isn’t as athletic as Pitts, but he’s a well-rounded player worthy of first-round consideration.