Draftees not named Lamar Jackson the Jaguars regret ignoring in favor of Taven Bryan
![Apr 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Taven Bryan (Florida) is selected as the number twenty-nine. Apr 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Taven Bryan (Florida) is selected as the number twenty-nine.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3404,h_1914,x_0,y_57/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/55/01h3qxhg92em11fevdtg.jpg)
Player 2 the Jaguars should've drafted instead of Taven Bryan: Mike Gesicki, TE
If you've been an avid reader of the Black and Teal, thank you. Also, you've probably noticed that former general manager Dave Caldwell has often been the subject of criticism. But it's all deserved because he had put together a playoff caliber in 2017 only to spent the rest of his tenure dismantling it.
Back in 2018, Caldwell chose to move on from Marcedes Lewis, one of the most productive tight ends in team history. This wouldn't have necessarily been a bad thing if he had had a replacement in place but he didn't.
To nobody's surprise, there was a revolving door at the tight end position following Lewis' departure and Jacksonville only put an end to it when they signed Evan Engram last year. When the Jaguars were on the clock in the first round of the 2018 draft, only one tight end had been taken, Hayden Hurst at No. 25 by the Baltimore Ravens, so they could have stayed put at No. 29 and chosen Mike Gesicki, who's developed into a pretty good receiving threat.
Gesicki went to the Miami Dolphins at No. 42 and was a key cog on their offense from 2019-2021. Sure, he had a down season in 2022, reeling in 362 yards with five touchdowns, his lowest input since his rookie year. Then again, he wasn't a good fit in head coach Mike McDaniel's system and he should be able to bounce back with the New England Patriots next season.