The Jacksonville Jaguars got a black stare when they selected tight end Nate Boerkircher at No. 56 in the 2026 NFL Draft. Leaving aside that the position wasn't a pressing need, they took the former Texas A&M Aggie way before the consensus board suggested.
Since then, intel has surfaced that several teams had set their sights on him and might have drafted him late in the second round or early in the third round. This means that the Jags didn't want to run the risk of losing him. This begs the question, just what kind of impact can the rookie tight end have in the Jacskonville offense?
Nate Borerkircher gives the Jaguars ample flexibility in heavy offensive packages
Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union made an appearance on 1010 XL. He stated that drafting Nate Boerkircher will allow the Jaguars to run more 12 and 13 personnel sets without having to tip their hand in the running game.
"I do think it is a mandate, and their actions showed that," O'Halloran told hosts Mike Dempsey and Tony Smith (2:37 mark). "By drafting Boerkircher at 56th overall, look at his receiving statistics, you know, 19 catches last year, that was nearly half his total for six years in college, so you know he's going to be, he's going to be a blocker, but I do think it gives them some flexibility in terms of how to use that 12 personnel when it's an actual tight end and not a sixth offensive lineman, because you're basically showing your hand."
O'Halloran continued, "That guy never ran a route, he went in motion a couple times, but one of the things they may be pointing out in the run game last year is that they, you know, teams knew what was coming a little bit, and that's because they prepared to do it. So I could now, it's now it's a counter move for the Jaguars."
Offensive linemen Chuma Edoga, Wyatt Milum, and Chuma Edoga logged snaps at tight end last year. As O'Halloran suggested, teams knew Jacksonville was going to run, as all three lack pass-catching abilities. With Boerkircher in the mix, the coaching staff will be able to dial up more passes in 12 (two tight ends) and 13 (three tight ends) personnel packages.
The Jaguars are going to take advantage of Nate Borkircher's passing skills
While Nate Boerkircher was seen as the best blocking tight end in the 2026 draft, his pass-catching skills are severely underrated. This is understandable when you take into account that he only hauled in 19 receptions for 198 yards with three touchdowns in 2025.
However, Boerkircher's separation rate of 86.4 percent shows that he was open but wasn't targeted as much as he should have. The Jaguars will change that, as he gives them an intriguing matchup piece.
Brenton Strange remains entrenched as TE1 on the depth chart, and the coaching staff can have him run routes more often next season, with Boerkircher in the mix. Conversely, Strange could stay to block, and Boerkircher could showcase his pass-catching skills.
Either way, having two tight ends who can block and catch gives the Jaguars the opportunity to create mismatches. They knew that when they drafted Nate Boerkircher.
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