There were many reasons why the Jacksonville Jaguars were able to win just one game last season and having one of the worst offenses in the NFL played a big role. They knew band-aid solutions wouldn’t work, so they cleaned the house and brought in Darrell Bevell to oversee that side of the ball.
Bevell has put a few top-5 scoring offenses on the field throughout his coaching career, so he could definitely kick start the Jaguars’ offense. However, if the team’s brass wants their offensive coordinator to succeed, they will need to get him a few playmakers this offseason.
Owner Shahid Khan talked about the importance of having a franchise quarterback and the ‘Jags’ will use the first overall pick to acquire one, most probably Trevor Lawrence. However, quarterback isn’t the only position on offense Jacksonville needs to upgrade this offseason. They need a boost at left tackle and their tight end room needs a makeover.
Last season, the Jaguars’ tight end group were responsible for a combined 68 receptions for 637 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The team must get more production from the unit and for that to happen, they will need to add a playmaker. Although they could sign someone like Jonnu Smith in the open market, there will be some enticing options in this year’s draft, none better than Florida’s Kyle Pitts. Here’s why the Jaguars must find a way to get him.
Kyle Pitts would significantly improve the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense.
Even though wide receivers may get more attention in today’s NFL, a top-echelon tight end can turn an offense into a highly efficient unit. To cite a few examples, Travis Kelce is the Kansas City Chiefs best offensive player outside of quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Darren Waller didn’t get any All-Pro votes in 2020, but he was the Las Vegas Raiders’ top receiving threat last season.
Kyle Pitts will be the best tight end and a top-ten overall prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft. He can make all kinds of catches and has the physical tools to become a dominant player in the NFL. The Pennsylvania native finished the 2020 season with 43 receptions for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Darrell Bevell was the Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator when Jimmy Graham earned three Pro Bowl nods, and All-Pro designation and scored 46 touchdowns on a four-year span. It’s clear he knows how to deploy a tight end and he could help Pitts have the same kind of impact Graham had with the ‘Hawks’.
Even though Florida fell to Alabama, Pitts hauled in seven receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown and showed the ability to thrive under the spotlight. Although he needs to work on his blocking skills, his talent as an offensive weapon would make him too good to pass up and will likely be gone by the tenth pick in this year’s draft, which would force the ‘Jags’ to trade up if they want to call dibs on him.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have enough ammo to trade up for Pitts.
It’s difficult to tell where Kyle Pitts will land in 2021’s draft. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media sees him going to the Philadelphia Eagles at number six while the CBS Sports staff sees the Bengals using the fifth overall selection on the tight end. On the other hand, NFL Mocks believes he will fall to the New England Patriots at number 15.
There will be a rush for quarterbacks early in the selection meeting and offensive tackle Penei Sewell is a surefire candidate to get drafted in the top five. Wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and DaVonta Smith should also get their names called in the top ten. The Jaguars have the 25th overall selection and would need to trade up to have a shot at taking Pitts.
Fortunately, the ‘Jags’ have enough ammo to move up. They have 11 draft selections in 2020 and could offer the 25th overall selection, their third-round selection, and their 2022 first-round pick in exchange for the right to take Pitts and still have enough picks to add talent this year. Depending on how many spots they need to trade up, they could offer one of their second-round picks (they have two this year) instead of the third-round selection.
Although it looks like a hefty price to trade up, this Jacksonville team would get the best tight end prospect in this year’s draft and a top-end offensive weapon for Trevor Lawrence. Would it be costly? Maybe, but don’t forget that future favors the bold.