Jaguars: 3 biggest mistakes in HC Urban Meyer era

The Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t properly address the tight end position.

Yes, the Jaguars’ roster is in better shape than it was last season. Putting aside the addition of Trevor Lawrence and a handful of other difference-makers, the team’s brass made sure to add depth this offseason, so if Jacksonville suffers injuries in the 2021 season, they won’t have trouble overcoming them.

Before free agency started, head coach Urban Meyer said the Jags would focus on bolstering their offensive line and revamping their cornerback room. After all the acquisitions the team has made, it’s fair to say they accomplished their objective. On the other hand, Jacksonville didn’t tweak their tight end unit much even though Meyer acknowledged that upgrading the group was a priority too.

The Jaguars moved on from Tyler Eifert but failed to find an adequate replacement. They signed Chris Manhertz in free agency and re-signed James O’Shaugnessy but neither of them is a number-one tight end. Jacksonville also drafted Luke Farrell in this year’s selection meeting but he’s more of a long-term project and won’t have an instant impact.

Meanwhile, the Jags passed up Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry in free agency. While neither of them is an upper-echelon tight end, they would surely have been an upgrade. Also, the team had the chance to draft Pat Friermuth with their second-round pick in this year’s selection meeting but opted to take Stanford offensive tackle Walker Little.

Farrell and Little could eventually develop into solid pros, but the Jaguars’ decision not to upgrade their tight end room may come back to haunt them, and speaking of tight ends…