Jacksonville Jaguars won’t get to see TE Dalton Kincaid perform drills at 2023 NFL Combine

The Jacksonville Jaguars surely expected to watch tight end prospect Dalton Kincaid perform drills at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, so they must’ve felt a bit disappointed when they found out that the former Utah Ute won’t do any on-field work.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports that Kincaid suffered a small fracture in his back in the final game of the 2022 season that will prevent him from participating in drills at the combine. Garafolo adds that orthopedist Robert Watkins, who’s overseen Kincaid’s recovery, determined that surgery was not necessary and Kincaid should be fully cleared in the coming weeks.

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media said during a conference call that this will be a deep tight end class but believes Kincaid is the best of the bunch. In his latest mock draft, Jeremiah has the 2022 First-team All-Pac 12 going to the Green Bay Packers at No. 15 and sees the Jaguars taking Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee with the 24th overall pick.

The Jacksonville Jaguars could take Dalton Kincaid in the 2023 NFL Draft

Tight end could become one of the Jaguars’ top 2 needs this offseason if Evan Engram walks in free agency. While there will be several potential options to replace him in the open market, it may make more sense for the cap-strapped Jags to address the position in the draft.

Despite the fact that Kincaid won’t do any on-field work at the combine, he’ll still be one of the top tight ends in the draft on most teams’ big boards. In fact, he’s previously been projected to fall to Jacksonville in a handful of mock drafts. However, there’s a chance he will be gone by the time they’re on the clock if other clubs value him as highly as Jeremiah.

On the bright side, The Jags will still have several solid options if Kincaid is no longer available at No. 24. Luke Musgrave suited up for only two games last year but has with huge upside while Michael Meyer, who broke several records at Notre Dame, is one of the most well-rounded prospects in this year’s draft and the highest-rated tight end Pro Football Focus’ big board.

This year’s tight-end class is filled with so much talent that the Jaguars may consider taking on in the first or second round even if Engram returns. Even if Kincaid is gone at No. 24 or they think he hasn’t recovered enough, they will have their fair several options to choose from.