Jaguars just threw massive draft curveball with Nate Boerkircher pick in Round 2

The Jacksonville Jaguars had to sit out the first round and wait 55 picks before they were on the clock. And with their first selection of the draft, the 56th overall, they stunned everyone with the selection of Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher.

This came as a bit of a surprise because the interior defensive line and the pass rush were arguably bigger needs than tight end. Couple that with the fact that Jacksonville already has the ascending Brenton Strange in the mix, and the pick turns heads, and not necessarily for good reasons.

What makes the addition of Boerkircher at No. 56 more frustrating is the fact that the Jags passed on intriguing prospects such as Chase Bisontis or Kayden McDonald.

Why the Jaguars drafted Nate Boerkircher

The truth is that this wasn't a pick based on a need. Instead, the Jaguars appear to have chosen the "Best Player Available" route. With him in the fold, Trevor Lawrence now has another weapon in an arsenal that was already stacked. Similarly, head coach Liam Coen can get creative with two-tight-end sets.

Nate Boerkircher will join a tight end group that already includes Brenton Strange, Quintin Morris, and Hunter Long. With him in the mix, the position could go from good to a potential strength. This begs the question, why did James Gladstone make the former Aggie the first Jags pick of the draft? The answer is easy: He can block, a prerequisite in Liam Coen's system.

Back in 2025, the Jags cut ties with Evan Engram because he was a reliable pass catcher, but didn't offer much in the passing game department. That allowed Strange to earn a featured role. Boerkircher could follow in his footsteps.

Even though the Texas A&M product isn't that great of an athlete, he has dependable hands. On top of that, he's a fiesty blocker. Those two skills will allow him to become an integral piece in the Jacksonville offense from the get-go.

What's next for the Jaguars after drafting Nate Boerkircher?

You could make the case that the Nate Boerkircher selection was a luxury, but the pick will look better if he turns into a playmaker. With that said, the Jaguars still have their work cut out for them. Having checked off a box, they now need to address their remaining needs.

With most of the top defensive tackles off the board (Christen Miller, Lee Hunter, and Kayden McDonald), the talent pool will be shallow in Round 3. Nevertheless, Darrell Jackson Jr. and Domonique Orange could still be available. On the other hand, Jacksonville could also bolster the interior offensive line or the pass rush.

Either way, the Jaguas have options to address the larger scale roster the remainder of the draft.

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