Jacksonville Jaguars add TE to pair with Evan Engram in 2023 NFL Mock Draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars weren’t ready to let tight end Evan Engram walk in free agency after having a career year in 2022, so they applied the franchise tag on him. Had Engram left, tight end would have probably been the Jags’ biggest position need.

However, Jacksonville will now be able to focus on other positions with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Unless Michael Meyer is available when they’re on the clock. If that’s the case, the 33rd Team thinks Jacksonville they’ll go with the Notre Dame product.

The 33rd Team’s scouting department has the Jaguars taking Mayer with the 24th overall pick in their latest mock draft, which was published one day after Engram officially got the tag.

"Michel Mayer will fit nicely in this offense. He’ll be productive in the passing and running games for the Jaguars. Mayer ran a 4.70-second 40 at 249 pounds. He has the ball skills and body control to beat linebackers in the passing game."

Mayer was highly productive for the Fighting Irish last season, hauling in 67 receptions — a school record for catches in a season by a tight end — for 809 yards with nine touchdowns. He’s one of the top tight end prospects in this year’s draft class and should still be on the board when the Jaguars are on the clock.

The former Notre Dame Standout would give the Jaguars a dynamic 1-2 punch at tight end alongside Evan Engram. As 33rd noted, he would be a nice fit in head coach Doug Pederson’s offense, which uses plenty of two-tight ends sets.

The Jacksonville Jaguars might pass on Michael Mayer in the 2023 Draft

The Jaguars would surely benefit from having Meyer’s skillset. Besides being a dynamic pass catcher, he’s a good blocker, something you want from your tight end. However, the front office might go in a different direction in the first round. As great as Meyer would look in Jaguars’ uniform, they might want to address other positions.

After all, the Jags have made important investments in the offense over the last four years. Besides tagging Engram, they traded for Calvin Ridley and signed Zay Jones and Christian Kirk last offseason. They now need to bolster their defense, which could use plenty of help at all three levels.

The Jags must do a better job of getting after the quarterback, so adding an outside linebacker or a defensive lineman early in the draft makes sense. Similarly, they need to add a nickel cornerback and they’ll be in a position to take either Texas A&M’s Antonio Johnson or Alabama’s Brian Branch at No. 24.

Having said that, don’t rule out the Jaguars taking Michael Mayer just yet. If he’s the highest-graded on their draft board when they’re on the clock, they should take him. On the other hand, tight end isn’t their top need after tagging Engram, so they can afford to wait until the second or third round to take one, and there will be many.

Teams need to find playmakers in the draft and although choosing Meyer at No. 24 seems unnecessary, the truth is that it won’t matter if he becomes an impact player for the Jacksonville Jaguars.