With the No. 56 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected tight end Nate Boerkircher, tight end, Texas A&M.
The Jaguars figured to add to the position at some point this weekend after parting ways with Johnny Mundt earlier this offseason. Plus, Jacksonville and the rest of the league just watched Sean McVay showcase the versatility that 3-TE sets can provide against modern defenses. Boerkircher will join the team as the No. 3/4 tight end and figures to be involved in various multiple-TE personnel packages.
The Jaguars seemed to be well-positioned after Round 1 with how many pass rushers remained on the board. However, nine defensive linemen were selected before Jacksonville went on the clock, including Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas, whom the New England Patriots traded up ahead of the Jaguars at No. 55 to select.
Perhaps the Patriots’ move caused somewhat of a panic within the Jaguars’ draft room… because otherwise, it’s hard to explain why the team drafted the 163rd-ranked player on the consensus big board.
Boerkircher is probably a fine player, and Jacksonville’s regime has arguably already earned the benefit of the doubt, but this was a puzzling pick. It’s hard not to categorize it as a reach. But hey, we were saying similar things about the Strange pick back in 2023, and that worked out pretty well.
Receiving & Rushing Table Receiving Rushing Scrimmage Season Team Conf Class Pos G Rec Yds Y/R TD Y/G Att Yds Y/A TD Y/G Plays Yds Avg TD Awards 2021 Nebraska Big Ten FR TE 3 2 14 7.0 0 4.7 0 0 0 0.0 2 14 7.0 0 2022 Nebraska Big Ten FR TE 12 6 52 8.7 1 4.3 0 0 0 0.0 6 52 8.7 1 2023 Nebraska Big Ten SO TE 12 5 51 10.2 0 4.3 1 11 11.0 0 0.9 6 62 10.3 0 2024* Nebraska Big Ten JR TE 12 6 102 17.0 0 8.5 0 0 0 0.0 6 102 17.0 0 2025 Texas A&M SEC SR TE 13 19 198 10.4 3 15.2 3 5 1.7 1 0.4 22 203 9.2 4 Career 52 38 417 11.0 4 8.0 4 16 4.0 1 0.3 42 433 10.3 5 Nebraska (4 Yrs) 39 19 219 11.5 1 5.6 1 11 11.0 0 0.3 20 230 11.5 1 Texas A&M (1 Yr) 13 19 198 10.4 3 15.2 3 5 1.7 1 0.4 22 203 9.2 4
From Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:
Skip the stat page for Boerkircher because what he offers won’t be found there. Despite pedestrian production over five seasons, his tape shows an ability to challenge man coverage, secure contested catches with sticky hands and accelerate through contact as a runner.
From Dane Brugler of The Athletic:
Boerkircher is a good-sized athlete with the catch-point talent and blocking refinement to earn a role in an NFL offense. He brings versatility to line up detached, in the backfield or in the slot.
From Ben Cartwright of Sports Info Solutions:
Even with some athletic and explosive limitations, Boerkircher has the FBI, hands, and competitive toughness to be a quality No. 2 backup at the next level.
From Daniel Harms of Bleacher Report:
Nate Boerkircher will come into the NFL as a blocking-first tight end, but he has more in the tank as a route-runner than you’d expect.
Jaguars fans, let us know your initial thoughts in the comments below!
