Jacksonville Jaguars find Jawaan Taylor's replacement: 3-Round 2023 NFL Mock Draft

Jacksonville Jaguars 3rd Round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Laporta, TE

The Jaguars wanted to get a long-term deal done with Evan Engram but they were could agree to one before free agency, so they used the franchise tag to keep him. Whether Engram remains beyond 2023, the front office needs to revamp their tight end room.

Besides the former Ole Miss Rebel, Luke Farrell, a fifth-round pick in the 2021 draft, is the only other tight end on the Jags' roster under contract, and expecting him to have a huge role after playing sparingly the last two years might be too much to ask. Jacksonville could bring back Dan Arnold who became a free agent but remains unsigned. However, Arnold didn't get much playing last year and was phased out in favor of Chris Manhertz, who mainly saw playing time as an in-line blocker.

There aren't currently many appealing options in the open market, so the Jaguars will mostly likely replenish their tight end room in the draft. Just like cornerback, this is a deep tight end class and general manager Trent Baalke could wait until the third round to address the position.

At No. 88, Dalton Kincaid, Luke Musgrave, Michael Mayer, and Darnell Washington will be gone. However, Sam Laporta of Iowa, on the other hand, should still be available. Despite the fact that Laporta doesn't have the same recognition as some of his fellow prospects, he might be the most well-rounded of the bunch.

A multi-sport athlete in high school, Laporta has solid hands and is the kind of player that will grind tough yards after the catch. Furthermore, he's a good blocker and runs sound routes. Joe Marino wrote for The Draft Network that the former Iowa Hawkeye doesn't profile as "a size/speed mismatch in the passing game". Yet, he thinks he can develop into an NFL start, which is why he would be a value pick in the third round.