Jacksonville Jaguars: 3 most important preseason developments

Tight end is probably the Jacksonville Jaguars’ weakest positional group.

The Jaguars signed Chris Manhertz in the offseason but it feels like they could have done more to upgrade their tight end room. Yes, they drafted Luke Farrell in Round 5 of 2021’s draft but he’s a developmental project at this point of his career.

Manhertz is an outstanding blocker and will see the field in short-yardage and red-zone situations but he’s hardly a receiving threat. He has 12 career catches and six of them came last season. Sophomore Ben Ellefson could eventually move up the depth chart, as he’s had a solid training camp. However, expecting him to become a reliable option in the passing game after hauling in just one reception for ten yards in 2020 may be too much to ask.

Veteran James O’Shaughnessy will be the Jaguars’ primary pass-catching tight end but he’s not someone opposing defensive coordinators will need to game plan for. Tyler Davis may or may not make the 53-man roster but he recorded no stats in his rookie campaign. To his credit, he caught a receiving touchdown in Week 1 of the preseason. Still, the Jags lack a true number one tight end.

There’s a chance Manhertz turns into a functional receiver or Ellefson has a breakout season in 2021. Nevertheless, the Jags will head into the regular season without a true number one tight end. Someone needs to separate himself from the bunch. Otherwise, the team’s brass will have to sign or draft one early next offseason.