Jacksonville Jaguars keeping tabs on TE Dalton Kincaid ahead of 2023 NFL Draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars need to revamp their tight end group after letting Dan Arnold and Chris Manhertz walk in free agency. At No. 24 in the 2023 NFL Draft, they'll be in a position to take one of the top prospects at the position, including Utah's Dalton Kincaid, who is scheduled to visit the Jags.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Jacksonville is one of several teams that will host Kincaid for a visit and added that Dr. Robert Watkins cleared the former Utah Ute from a back injury he suffered last season.

"“Dalton Kincaid sustained a back injury while playing football on 11/26/2022,” said the email from Dr. Watkins. “Subsequent MRIs have shown appropriating healing and he has been asymptomatic with no pain and no limitation of function for at least 3 months. He is cleared to play football with no restrictions.”"

- Via Adam Schefter

Kincaid didn't work out at this year's NFL Scouting Combine because he was still recovering from the back injury. However, he met with several teams. The Las Vegas native played football just one season in high school and was a walk-on at the University of San Diego He would then transfer to Utah, where he became one of the top tight-end prospects in the nation.

The fact that Kincaid has been cleared will most likely ensure that he's one of the first, if not the first tight end taken in the draft. This could potentially be bad news for the Jaguars though, as there are several teams in front of them that could use the 2022 Fist-Team All-Pac 12.

Kincaid's biggest strength is his pass-catching skills. He's got great hands and outstanding tracking skills. Conversely, his biggest flaw is that although he's a solid in-line blocker, he might need to bulk up to be effective in the NFL. But even if he struggles as a blocker, his ability to catch the football should help him develop into a fine tight end in the pros.

Dalton Kincaid would be a solid pickup for the Jacksonville Jaguars in Round 1

There are different paths the Jaguars could take in the first round of the draft. Although they have several needs, they don't have a critical one and they could target a cornerback, a right tackle, a pass rusher, or a tight end in the first round.

Kincaid has previously been labeled as the ideal fit for the Jaguars and it's easy to see why. Besides Evan Engram, who got the franchise tag, third-year pro Luke Farrell is the only other tight end under contract on the roster. It's also worth noting that Engram is set to become a free agent in 2024 barring a contract extension, so it would make sense to have a contingency plan in place if he ends up leaving.

Having said that, Kincaid isn't probably the only tight end the Jaguars have set their sights on. If he's off the board when they're on the clock, and even if he is, they could go with Notre Dame's Michael Mayer or Oregon State's Luke Musgrave. Also, the Jaguars could skill the tight-end position altogether and instead address other needs. Either way, the team's brass is putting in the work to ensure they find a playmaker in Round 1 of the draft.

Meeting with Kincaid allows the Jacksonville Jaguars to have a better feel for him. And if their meeting goes well, the chances of getting his name called at No. 24 will increase considerably.