5 Jaguars who could struggle to make the team after 2022 NFL Draft

No. 3 Jaguars player who may not make the team: Chris Manhertz, TE.

After two years of minimal production from the tight end position, the Jaguars tried to revamp the unit last season. The problem was that it took them several tries to get it right. The team’s brass started by not exercising the team option on Tyler Eifert. They then proceed to bring back James O’Shaughnessy and sign Chris Manhertz in free agency.

The Jags later invested a fifth-round draft on Luke Farrell and brought Tim Tebow in for a tryout. Tebow proved he couldn’t cut it as a tight end and was released after just one preseason game. Knowing their tight end room needed work, Jacksonville signed Jacob Hollister just before the start of the season. However, his addition didn’t move the needle much and the Jaguars ended up trading for Dan Arnold after Week 3.

In spite of all the moves the Jaguars made last year, the Jaguars just got a combined 73 receptions for 750 yards and two touchdowns from their tight end room. This led the front office to sign Evan Engram to a one-year deal worth $9 million this offseason. Both Engram and Arnold will get plenty of snaps in 2022 and the coaching staff might want to see what they have in Farrell. This could make Manhertz the odd man out.

The Canisius product is a superb blocker in both the running game and pass protection. On the other hand, he doesn’t offer much as a pass-catcher, having caught just 18 passes throughout his NFL career. One thing that could help Manhertz make the roster is that head coach Doug Pederson values the usage of tight ends but this one could go either way.