The Issue: The Jacksonville Jaguars spent their initial draft pick of the 2026 class on an overaged, blocking tight end who produced next-to-nothing as a receiver.
How to Make it Work: Nate Boerkircher needs to be more than a culture-setter; he must produce and show far more in both phases than he did at the collegiate level, while doing so from the onset of his professional career.
Many were left stunned when the Jaguars chose Boerkircher with the 56th overall pick—the franchise’s initial draft pick after trading away its first-round selection as part of the previous year’s Travis Hunter deal—and made him the class’ TE3.
Prior to that point, he wasn’t even viewed as a Day 2 possibility. The B/R Scouting Department graded him as the 185th overall prospect and the class’ 17th-best tight end.
An argument can definitely be made that the NFL’s continued evolution is trending back to heavier reliance on 12- and even 13-personnel, where teams want multiple tight ends on the field and require those who can play in-line and block. This transition was seen throughout the class and should be taken into account.
For the Jaguars, they fully acknowledged the shifting landscape and their own plans to move forward with heavier and more physical personnel.
“Ultimately, we were jacked to end up with a player that we all have a ton of appreciation for, knowing that as we look forward to the next evolution of the Jacksonville Jaguars and our team in 2026; it’s going to involve heavier tight end groupings that can tap into the current trend in the NFL, and Nate offers that,” general manager James Gladstone told reporters.
Here’s the thing: The response comes across as playing catch-up instead of being trendsetters. Furthermore, the heavier personnel groupings become limited if those on the field aren’t contributing in multiple areas.
In Boerkircher’s case, 38 catches in five collegiate seasons, even 19 during his final campaign, isn’t good enough. He must emerge as more of a threat in the passing game for the Jags offense not to become predictable when he’s on the field.
Furthermore, Boerkircher will turn 25 before he plays in his first NFL game. Other predominant blocking tight ends among this year’s class were more productive and younger.
So, the Jags’ new Y Option has a major uphill climb to be the type of player Jacksonville’s decision-makers think can fit in perfectly with the team’s culture, help establish a more physical brand of football, improve as a pass-catcher and play well enough for everyone to forget the 18 other tight ends that were selected after him.