#Jagurs: 2026 Rookie Impact Meter
The 2026 Jaguars Rookie Impact Meter evaluates the immediate opportunity and schematic fit of the team's rookies, assigning a 1-to-10 rating to each pick based on their potential to contribute this season
TE · JAX · 24 yrs · exp 0 · Texas A&M
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
The 2026 Jaguars Rookie Impact Meter evaluates the immediate opportunity and schematic fit of the team's rookies, assigning a 1-to-10 rating to each pick based on their potential to contribute this season
John Shipley of SI.com considers Boerkircher the favorite to secure the Jaguars' No. 2 TE role behind Brenton Strange. Strange inked a lucrative extension with the team last month and remains Jacksonville's clear-cut No. 1 TE on the heels of a 46-catch effort in 12 regular-season games in 2025. Boerkircher -- whom the Jaguars took 56th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft -- is thus slated to compete with fellow rookie Tanner Koziol, as well as returnees Quintin Morris and Hunter Long for slotting behind Strange ahead of Week 1. After logging a total of 38 career catches through five collegiate seasons, Boerkircher figures to make his initial mark as a pro in the blocking game, with the 24-year-old's long-term fantasy upside hinging on whether he's able to make strides as a pass catcher down the road
Every NFL offseason has a story. There may be a buzzword or catch phrase that becomes the topic for the spring and summer. There may be some new-fangled rule change or trendy philosophy that becomes the overarching storyline of the offseason. But typically, there’s something . And the topic that buzzed all around the league, which reached its peak during the 2026 NFL Draft, is the league-wide trend toward super heavy personnel (defined for the purposes of this article as 13, 22, and 31 personnel). This was highlighted by the significant early round run on tight ends, with players like Nate Boerkircher ( Jacksonville Jaguars , 56th overall), Marlin Klein ( Houston Texans , 59th overall), and Will Kacmerak ( Miami Dolphins , 87th overall) standing as examples of blocking-first tight ends who were drafted markedly higher than players of similar archetypes have been drafted in the past. The team that’s frequently used as an example of this offensive trend is the Los Angeles Rams . The Rams led the league in 13 personnel usage in 2025, with a whopping 30.48% of their offensive plays coming with three tight ends on the field per SumerSports . This was over 16 percentage points higher than the second-place team in 13 usage (the Pittsburgh Steelers , 14.17%). The premise behind the Rams’ philosophy is multi-faceted: Defenses have been trending lighter (both in terms of average defender weight and in terms of nickel and dime usage) and faster for years with their personnel. This, combined with the rise in two-high coverages to limit explosive passing plays down the field, opens up a natural counter in the run game using super heavy personnel. If a defense decides to counter super heavy personnel with a single-high look and heavier defensive personnel (base, bear, etc), this opens up downfield passing not just with your wide receivers, but also potentially with athletic tight ends against 3rd/4th linebackers. The NFL is cyclical in its offensive philosophy. Inevitably, defenses will get bigger and heavier to counter this trend over the next few years, at which point offenses will shift to 11/10 personnel and use speed to spread out heavier defenders, and so the cycle begins again. But the Buffalo Bills aren’t chasing the Rams. They aren’t trying to keep up with the league trend. Their status as a super-heavy-personnel team was already established. Football analysts and Bills General Manager Brandon Beane alike have remarked that 2025 fifth round pick Jackson Hawes, himself an extremely accomplished blocking tight end selected 173rd overall, would have been taken much higher if he was part of the 2026 NFL Draft instead. Buffalo has been on the curve in this instance, not behind it. The Bills were 17th in the league in pure 13 personnel usage in 2025 (4.62%), but they were No. 1 in the NFL in 22 personnel usage at a rate of 13.31%, almost five percentage points higher than the second-place team (Miami Dolphins, 8.85%). They’re still in super heavy (a combination of four running backs/tight ends); they’re just mixing the personnel more than the Rams did with a fullback in lieu of a third tight end. With previous lead blocker Reggie Gilliam now a member of the division rival New England Patriots, the Bills may decide to utilize a tight end in those moments in 2026, leading to a sharp increase in 13 personnel usage metrics (head Coach Joe Brady went on record as saying the team wouldn’t keep a fullback just to keep a fullback), or one of Ben VanSumeran or Jackson Acker could get meaningful snaps for the offensive in Gilliam’s place. “But Bruce, Joe Brady is now out from under the shadow of Sean McDermott! His offense could look entirely different!” It absolutely could. But Brady referred to himself as a “Sean Payton disciple.” Payton, now the head coach of the Denver Broncos , oversaw an offense that sat just behind the Bills in 22 personnel usage in 2025 (8.7%%, 3rd in the NFL) and, like Buffalo, was in the bottom half of the NF [... truncated ...]
Brenton Strange is staying in Jacksonville for the long haul. The Jaguars and the tight end agreed to a three-year, $48 million extension Wednesday with up to $25 million guaranteed, NFL Network reported Wednesday. The extension keeps Strange in Jacksonville until at least 2029, as the 25-year-old was entering the final year of his rookie contract. Strange’s contract ranks fifth among tight ends in average annual value ($16 million) and eighth in total money. After playing for Penn State from 2019-22 and hauling in 11 touchdowns over four years, the Jaguars selected Strange 61st overall in 2023 to support quarterback Trevor Lawrence . Strange was buried behind Evan Engram on the Jaguars’ depth chart as a rookie, making just five catches for 35 yards despite appearing in 14 games. But with Engram playing just nine games in 2024 amid a disastrous 4-13 Jaguars season, Strange played in all 17 games and had 40 catches, 411 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The Penn State product took his game to a new level in 2025, setting career highs in catches (46), receiving yards (540) and touchdowns (three). Strange’s progression last year was a major factor in how the Jaguars increased their win total by nine games to 13-4 en route to an AFC South title. When Strange was healthy for 12 games last season, the Jaguars went 11-1 and averaged 30.1 points. When he was sidelined for five contests, they went 2-3 and put up just 22.6 points per game. Strange should continue to play a key role in Liam Coen’s offense in 2026, even with the team taking another tight end in Nate Boerkircher early in the draft. The Jaguars open their 2026 season at home against the Browns on Sept. 13
Brenton Strange signs three-year extension with Jaguars worth up to $48 million with $25 million guaranteed
John Shipley of Sports Illustrated writes that perhaps no Jacksonville Jaguars draft pick "garnered as much buzz" this offseason as fifth-round rookie tight end Tanner Koziol. The Jaguars took Texas A&M TE Nate Boerkircher in the second round (56th overall) and still have Brenton Strange at the position, but they are expected to involve more multiple-tight-end looks in 2026. Koziol's pass-catching prowess and refinement in the passing game helped him stand out immediately this offseason. In his four years in college (three years at Ball State and one at the University of Houston), he had 237 catches for 2,234 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns in 49 games played. His 74 catches last year with Houston led all TEs nationally, and his 727 receiving yards ranked second. There's no doubting what Koziol can do as a pass-catcher, but it will be hard for him to find playing time in head coach Liam Coen's offensive scheme if he doesn't offer value as a blocker as well. Right now, Koziol is an intriguing long-term prospect for those in dynasty/keeper leagues, but he could open his rookie year as the No. 3 TE in Jacksonville
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Tanner Koziol is likely to begin the season as the third-string option at his position. The Jaguars selected Koziol in the fifth-round of this year's draft out of Houston. This past season, Koziol hauled in 74 receptions for 727 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 13 games at Houston. That was actually a down year for Koziol, who hauled in 94 receptions at Ball State in 2024. The ball skills seem to be there, but there are questions as to whether Koziol can be a reliable blocking tight end. He'll also need to fight for playing time with Brenton Strange and Nate Boerkircher likely ahead of him on the depth chart. Unless an injury happens, Koziol is unlikely to have value right away. He could be a potential stash option for dynasty managers in need of help at tight end
Sleeper trending/add: Nate Boerkircher (13299) count=1276 (Δ1276 vs prior poll)
SeatGeek is the official NFL Ticketing Partner of the New York Post. We may receive revenue from this partnership for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. Featured pricing is subject to change. The Jacksonville Jaguars were one of the NFL’s biggest surprises in 2025. After finishing 2024 with a lowly 4-13 record, Trevor Lawrence , Travis Hunter and co. turned things around last year and ended the season 13-4. That complete 360-degree transformation was largely thanks to Lawrence’s impressive play, a turnover-happy defense and an eight-game win streak to close the year. Although they lost a 27-24 heartbreaker to the Bills in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, the campaign was a major step in the right direction for a franchise that missed the postseason two years in a row. Yet, they’re not even close to being satisfied. “Now the real work is here to where we have to go and reload it,” rookie head coach Liam Coen said in January. With the release of the NFL schedule, Coen and his squad have an idea of what they’ll need to prepare in order to mount another successful season. Notable opponents heading to Jacksonville’s Everbank Stadium these next few months include Drake Maye ’s AFC champion New England Patriots (Sept. 27), Daniel Jones ’ Indianapolis Colts (Nov. 1), T.J. Watt ’s Pittsburgh Steelers (Dec. 14) and Jayden Daniels ’ Washington Commanders in the final home game of the season on Saturday, Jan. 2. To make sure they’re re-loaded, general manager James Gladstone signed running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. and drafted tight end Nate Boerkircher in the second round to complement fan favorites Lawrence, Hunter, Josh Hines-Allen , Travon Walker and Foyesade Oluokun . All that’s missing is you. If you want to root yourself hoarse with the Duval faithful, tickets are available for all six Jacksonville Jaguars 2026 home games at EverBank Stadium on SeatGeek. SeatGeek is a verified secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand. Not familiar with SeatGeek? They offer a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and your tickets will be delivered prior to the event. Below, you’ll find a list of all upcoming Jacksonville Jaguars 2026 home games at EverBank Stadium including dates, start times, and opponents. Jacksonville Jaguars home game dates Browns vs. Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. Patriots vs. Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. Colts vs. Jaguars Sunday, Nov. 1. at 1 p.m. Titans vs. Jaguars S unday, Nov. 29. at 4:05 p.m. Steelers vs. Jaguars Monday, Dec. 14. at 7:15 p.m. Commanders vs. Jaguars Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027 at TBD If you think you might find yourself traveling with Lawrence, Hunter and the Jaguars this year, here’s where you can find them on the road once the 2026 season begins. Jacksonville Jaguars away game dates Jaguars vs. Broncos Sunday Sept. 20 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO Jaguars vs. Bengals Sunday Oct. 4 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati , OH Jaguars vs. Eagles Sunday, Oct. 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, GB Jaguars vs. Texans Sunday, Oct. 18 at Wembley Stadium in London, GB Jaguars vs. Ravens Thursday Nov. 5 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD Jaguars vs. Titans Sunday Nov. 15 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN Jaguars vs. Giants Sunday Nov. 22 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ Jaguars vs. Bears Sunday Dec. 6 at Soldier Field in Chicago , IL Jaguars vs. Texans Sunday Dec. 20 at NRG Stadium in Houston , TX Jaguars vs. Cowboys Sunday Dec. 27 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX Jaguars vs. Colts Jan. 9 or 10 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN There is no shortage of ways to watch Jaguars games live from the comfort of your own home this season. You can find Coen’s competitive club on ABC, CBS, ESPN, Fox, NBC and the NFL Network on select dates. Most AFC games will air on CBS. For specialty games, “Sunday Night Football” can be fou [... truncated ...]
Adds: Nate Boerkircher. Drops: John Michael Gyllenborg
Adds: Nate Boerkircher
Drops: Nate Boerkircher
The Jaguars selected Boerkircher in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 56th overall. Boerkircher spent five of the first six years of his college career with Nebraska (joining the team as a walk on in 2020) before ending things with Texas A&M in 2025, when he started in eight of 13 games while logging 19 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns. He wasn't known as a pass catcher during his time with the Cornhuskers, but he established himself as a reliable target who could fight through coverage to complete catches with the Aggies. Brenton Strange is slated as the Jaguars' top tight end following a career year in 2025, so Boerkircher figures to compete with Quintin Morris and Hunter Long for the TE2 job
You're caught up — end of feed.
Data comes from cached Sleeper and KTC snapshots. Values update when the sync jobs run.