Draftees the Jaguars regret ignoring in favor of Laviska Shenault Jr. in 2020

The Jaguars could've drafted Cole Kmet instead of Laviska Shenault Jr.

Just one pick after the Jaguars selected Laviska Shenault, the Chicago Bears took tight end Cole Kmet. That year, Jacksonville signed Tyler Eifert in free agency. In fact, the former Cincinnati Bengal was one of their biggest signings. Add the fact that they had drafted Josh Oliver in 2019 and maybe they didn't think the position was a need. However, they could've surely used Kmet.

After all, Eifert was past his prime and only managed 36 receptions for 349 yards with two touchdowns in 2020. To nobody's surprise, he was one and done in Jacksonville. To make matters worse, tight end remained an issue for the Jaguars until they signed Evan Engram in 2022. Had they drafted Kmet, they may have gotten much better production from the position.

Even though Kmet is far from a Pro Bowl-caliber tight end, he's developed into a trusted target in Chicago, regardless of who's behind center. The Notre Dame product didn't do much of note in his rookie season but he went on to tally a combined 183 catches for 1,875 yards with 13 touchdowns the past three years.

Even though former Bears general manager Ryan Pace drafted Kmet, his successor, Ryan Foles identified him as a building block and gave him a four-year deal worth $50 million in 2023. Right out of the gate, quarterback Caleb Williams will have a safety valve in the middle of the field.

When you take into account that Kmet was a Day 1 starter as a rookie and has never missed a game, passing him in favor of Shenault looks like a puzzling decision.