The Jacksonville Jaguars took a step toward putting together a well-rounded tight end unit in 2026 when they re-signed Quintin Morris. Sure, the move isn't going to suddenly turn the Jags into a contender, but the Bowling Green product is the kind of utility player that fills an overlooked role.
In Jacksonville, Morris carved a niche as a blocker, and he'll get significant playing time even though Brenton Strange is firmly entrenched as the starter. Having said that, Jacksonville could still need to add reinforcements at the position.
The Jaguars have 11 draft picks in the 2026 draft. Once they take care of the most pressing needs in the early rounds, they can definitely use a selection on a tight end in the later rounds. Based on a recent scoop, that's precisely what general manager James Gladstone may be planning to do.
The Jaguars met with Dae'Quan Wright at the NFL Combine
During an exclusive sitdown with Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated, tight end Dae'Quan Wright said that he met with several NFL teams at the NFL Scouting Combine, and the Jaguars were one of them. Here's the skinny.
"I had a few interviews at the NFL Combine, both formal and informal," Wright told Melo. "I met with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders, and Detroit Lions."
That's a long list, which shows that Wright's stock is soaring ahead of the draft. The former Ole Miss Rebel has the size and athleticism to turn into a dynamic player in the NFL. Couple that with his versatility to line up at different spots across the line of scrimmage, and there's no doubt that he would be an intriguing target on Day 3 of the draft.
But that's the thing: Wright is a developmental prospect who needs to work on his blocking technique and route-running. That said, investing a late-round pick in him could pay massive dividends, and Jacksonville would most definitely be an intriguing landing spot for him.
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Why it makes sense for the Jaguas to draft Dae'Quan Wright
The Jaguars aren't the only team that is setting its sights on Dae'Quan Wright, but they could be one of the best landing spots for him. After all, he would be able to hone his skills behind Brenton Strange, Quintin Morris, and Hunter Long.
With Strange getting the lion's share of the workload, while Morris and Long serve as the backups, Wrigth wouldn't have to be thrust into action as a rookie. However, he could contribute in Year 2, which would be huge when you take into account that the trio of Strange, Morris, and Long are entering contract years.
Granted, the team's brass will most likely make an aggressive effort to sign Strange to an extension as soon as possible, but there's no guarantee that Morris and Long will return in 2027. Heck, Jacksonville cut ties with Johnny Mundt in free agency. That's where having Wrigth in the mix would come in handy.
If Dae'Quan Wright shows progress as a rookie, the Jaguars would probably feel good about letting Quintin Morris and Hunter Long walk. Moreover, he may have more upside than his veteran counterparts. But if he fails to pan out, the Jags can simply look for more reinforcements at tight end next year, and a late-round pick will have been all they had to give up. That's a fair price to pay for taking a chance on a prospect with lots of potential.