Jaguars could steer clear of Dalton Schultz in FA, draft a tight end

The Jacksonville Jaguars need better production from the tight end room in 2022 and if they want to address the position in free agency, Dalton Schultz will arguably be the best player available this offseason. But if the Jags believe he could be too pricey, this could be a good year to draft a tight end.

Marcus Mosher of USA TODAY Sports believes that as good as Schultz is, the Dallas Cowboys “would be wise to let him walk” in free agency and look for another tight in the draft. He goes on to say that this year’s class is going to be a deep one, and he’s right. Michelle Bruton of Bleacher Report sees Coastal Carolina’s Isaiah Likely and Wisconsin’s Jake Ferguson as two prospects who could fly up boards this offseason. Regarding, Likely, Bruton says that his 912 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021 “more than double his scoring total in a previous season”. Here’s more on the Chanticleers tight end.

"It is in those two showcases that Likely, already a buzzy prospect thanks in no small part to Coastal Carolina’s recent success (rising as high as No. 9 on the AP Top 25 in 2020), can boost his draft stock to somewhere in the Day 2 range. Currently ranked 10th among tight end prospects and 116th overall on B/R’s Big Board, Likely’s athleticism and versatility could impress this spring."

On the other hand, Bruton believes Ferguson could end up getting drafted as early as Day 2. She notes that he was top 2 in yards in four different campaigns for Wisconsin. She then adds he will have several chances throughout the spring to make his case to NFL teams and show he’s the “full package”.

The Jaguars need to decide how they want to approach the TE position.

Last offseason, Jonnu Smith signed a four-year, $50 million deal, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see Schultz seek a similar amount. The Jaguars would have no trouble meeting his contract demands but they also need to upgrade other positions. He would be definitely worth the investment. In 2021, the 2018 fourth-round pick hauled in 78 receptions for 808 yards with eight touchdowns. Jacksonville would surely love that kind of production from their tight end group and Trevor Lawrence would have another weapon in the passing game.

The downside of signing Schultz is that the Jags would have less money to allocate to other units on either offense and defense and would have to address them in the draft or second-tier free agents. Also, tight end may not be a bigger need than let’s say offensive tackle or defensive end, so the front office may up to keep their money and pursue someone like Likely or Ferguson in the selection meeting.

The Jaguars need to surround Lawrence with as many playmakers as possible and Schultz fits that category. They should make a run for him but if they opt not to, they will have a few options in the middle of the 2022 draft.