Jaguars roster: 3 veterans the team should pursue if released

Veteran No. 3 that could give the Jaguars roster a boost: Hayden Hurst

After months of uncertainty, it looks like the Philadephia Eagles will trade Zach Ertz to the Buffalo Bill. The three-time Pro Bowl nod has been seeking a new deal for a while but is coming off the worst season of his eight-year career.

So let’s say Philly does trade Ertz to Buffalo, the Jaguars could then turn their attention to Hayden Hurst. Their tight end room could still use an upgrade and the 2018 first-round pick could help.

The Atlanta Falcons drafted Kyle Pitts fourth overall in this year’s selection meeting and he will most likely start in Week 1. Although Atlanta could find a way to use the Florida product and Hurst at the same time, moving on from the latter is also a possibility. If that happens, the Jags should take a flyer on him. Chris Manhertz is currently their top tight end on the depth chart. He’s an excellent blocker but isn’t much of a receiver option.

Meanwhile, Hurst has appeared in all 32 games over the last two seasons and has hauled in 86 receptions for 920 yards and eight touchdowns. That’s far from elite production but it better than anything the Jaguars currently have. The team’s brass is hoping the Tim Tebow experiment succeeds. Also, Manhertz could develop into a functional receiving option but the team should err on the side of caution and court Hurts if the Falcons move on from him.