After first taking Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher in Round 2, the Jacksonville Jaguars doubled down on a new-look offense that will be much more physical in 2026 when they invested the 164th overall selection on Tanner Koziol. Heading into the preseason, the three most talented tight ends on the roster will be Brenton Strange, Tanner Koziol, and Nate Boerkircher. However, Strange's contract will expire soon, which means James Gladstone & Co. have to think about the worst-case scenario as well.
If Strange departs for wealthier pastures like linebacker Devin Lloyd did in free agency, the Jags will have the labor needed to replace him. Koziol gives the Jags an interesting receiving threat down the middle of the field but lacks the blocking skills Boerkircher offers. When put together, Jacksonville has tight ends who could rotate as the starter depending on Liam Coen's game plan every week.
After having some time to think about it, it's undeniable that this position group got better overnight, even though Jacksonville most definitely raised eyebrows with the Boerkircher pick. However, that doesn't mean that all of my new questions have been answered. Perhaps looking at the tight end room in more detail will help.
There's a lot of blocking for the Jaguars, but only a few opportunities to create mismatches
Before the draft, Brenton Strange, Hunter Long, and Quintin Morris were the three tight ends on the roster. By now, everyone knows that Strange is one of Trevor Lawrence's favorite targets when the chips are down. Unfortunately, this isn't the same with Long and Morris.
Last season, Long didn't even catch 15 passes. He had opportunities to establish himself as an emerging star like Parker Washington did when various receivers went down with injuries. In the end, things didn't work out; but his two touchdown receptions and contributions as a blocker show that he does provide some value to head coach Liam Coen's offense.
In Morris' case, he's rarely a starter on offense and never catches more than eight passes a year. If he sticks around, it will definitely be to block and handle the dirtiest of work, as Koziol's receiving skills and physical traits give the Jags the versatility they need to create mismatches, spread the ball out, and keep defenses honest.
By my count, we're now at five tight ends on the roster. With a new commitment to the running game, Coen and Gladstone may need to keep all of them on the payroll. More violence in the trenches will beget more injuries, so the team will actually be working from a position of strength if they keep everyone together.
For the hundredth time, this doesn't help the pass rush or the linebacker room directly, but this does give Jacksonville the tools it needs to keep the other team's offense off the field. Believe it or not, that still matters in the modern era, as the Jaguars will be able to impose their will in the trenches when it's time to pound the football.
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