Jaguars State of the Roster: Tight End

As the NFL Combine, Free Agency and NFL Draft near, the tight end position is not one that I would worry too much about. It might just be the team’s most solidified group, highlighted by one of the league’s best, in addition to 2023’s second-round selection. In fact, the team has no upcoming free agents.

Here is the state of the Jaguars’ tight end position.

Under Contract

Evan Engram

Age: 29.

Experience: 7 seasons/99 appearances/80 starts

2023 Production: 114 receptions for 963 yards (8.4 yards per reception) and four touchdowns.

What a year 2023 was for Evan Engram. The former Ole Miss prospect has reawoken in Jacksonville and been on a tear the last two seasons. This past season Engram came just two receptions shy of the NFL’s single-season record for a tight end, as well as the Jaguars’ franchise record.

His play has provided Trevor Lawrence with a reliable pass-catcher and a talented receiver after the catch. His 528 yards after the catch and 16 missed tackles forced both ranked among the league’s best at his position. He’s easily the most talented receiver the Jaguars have had at the tight end position in franchise history.

Engram is as good as it gets at the position, unless your name is Kittle or Kelce. He’s got two years more on the deal he signed last off-season and looks to remain a feature piece in the Jaguars’ offense going forward.

Brenton Strange

Age: 23.

Experience: 1 season/14 appearances/4 starts

2023 Production: Five receptions for 35 yards (7.0 yards per reception) and one touchdown.

Jaguars’ fans were not very fond of the selection of Brenton Strange at the time of his selection, and I’m not sure much has changed since then. Many thought the tight end position was among the team’s strengths. Nonetheless, Trent Baalke used his second round pick on the Penn State tight end prospect.

It certainly hasn’t helped that fans haven’t seen very much of Strange quite yet. While he played a decent amount of snaps, his impact as a receiver was underwhelming, finishing with just five receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown. That said, I’m excited to see his snaps increase in 2024, becoming more of an asset going forward.

Luke Farrell

Age: 25.

Experience: 3 seasons/49 appearances/12 starts

2023 Production: 13 receptions for 155 yards (11.9 yards per reception) and zero touchdowns.

Luke Farrell has created a niche role for himself and, for the most part, filled it admirably. While Engram has been the receiving threat in the group, Farrell has been the group’s most reliable blocker. According to Pro Football Focus, 71.4% of his offensive snaps came as a blocker. Even so, he did end up outpacing Brenton Strange as a receiver.

I don’t expect Farrell to go anywhere in 2024, locking up his spot as the team’s “blocking” tight end who at times can shine as a receiver. His 11.9 yards per reception and 7.5 average yards after the catch indicate promise there.

Josh Pederson

Age: 26.

Experience: 1 season/3 appearances/0 starts

2023 Production: 0 receptions for 0 yards and 0 touchdowns.

Josh Pederson, son of Jaguars’ head coach Doug Pederson, fills a roster spot as a depth piece at the tight end position. He was recently signed to a Reserve/ Future contract, however, his impact in 2024 will be limited if last season was any indication. Pederson played just eight offensive snaps in 2023. He’s likely to remain a depth, practice squad player going forward if the staff elects to keep him on the final roster.