Jacksonville Jaguars 2021 training camp preview: Tight ends

The Jacksonville Jaguars need to sort out their tight end room.

Tight end is arguably the Jaguars’ weakest positional group ahead of training camp. They could still organize a reunion with Tyler Eifert. They could also try to trade for Zach Ertz or Hayden Hurst but there are no indications the team will make any additional moves ahead of training camp. For the time being, here’s how the depth chart could look in Week 1:

1. Chris Manhertz
2. James O’Shaughnessy
3. Luke Farrell
4. Tim Tebow

There’s a good chance Manhertz will be the starter but O’Shaughnessy could also see the field often. Farrell could crack the starting lineup if he shows upside as a receiver. The former Buckeye caught 34 passes and four touchdowns over his four-year collegiate career but Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke believes the 2021 fifth-round pick was underutilized at Ohio State.

Maybe Farrell was a hidden gem but he needs to show he can be a reliable target in the passing game. Tebow could earn a roster spot with one caveat. He won’t be a true tight end and will instead play in goal-line and short-yardage situations. He doesn’t have much time to learn the position, so the coaching staff could designate special packages for the 2010 first-round pick.

Ellefson should be a candidate to join the practice squad unless he has an outstanding training camp. It will be interesting to see what the Jaguars do with Davis, are they ready to move on from the Georgia Tech product after just one season? Jacksonville is in the first year of a rebuild. It’s true that their tight end room needs work but they can’t fix everything in one season. In the meantime, they likely expect one of their current tight ends to stand out from the bunch.