Which Tight End Is Worth a First Round Pick for the Jaguars?

The Jacksonville Jaguars had seemingly filled every hole on their roster after the initial wave of free agency. At the tight end position, they actually seemed overstocked with talent after signing veterans Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Niles Paul. However, the team released veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis, who had spent 12 seasons with the team. Besides Seferian-Jenkins and Paul, the team has wild-card hero Ben Koyack and James O’Shaughnessy as depth. If Doug Marrone and company want to play in the first Super Bowl in franchise history, they might want to add another play-maker this off-season.

Fortunately for them, the 2018 NFL Draft has a trio of tight ends who can be stars in the NFL. Selecting outside of the top five for the first time since 2011, the selection for the Jaguars won’t be as clear as it usually is. Despite this, the Jaguars should have a good shot at a tight end that can help them make that extra push in the playoffs.

Mike Gesicki, Penn State

Comparison: Jimmy Graham

Standing at 6’5, Gesicki delivered a tremendous combine performance. He ran a 4.54 40-yard dash, had 22 reps on the bench press, and displayed a freakish 41.5 vertical jump. He finished his career at Penn State with 129 catches, 1,481 receiving yards, and 15 receiving touchdowns.

Why he doesn’t fit with the Jags:

The signing of Andrew Norwell and the choice to let Allen Robinson walk in free agency indicates that the Jaguars will stick with the ground n’ pound approach in 2018. With that in mind, Gesicki is not a good blocker. AT ALL.

In fact, one might say he’s one of the worst blocking tight ends to come out of college in the past decade. (Granted, tight ends in 2018 develop much different than tight ends in 2008). He’s built like a receiver, and Tom Coughlin might hesitate to add someone who needs to develop his blocking skills.

Why he fits with the Jags:

The kid is an athletic freak and he knows how to use his strengths to his advantage. His speed creates mismatches against slower linebackers and safeties. His leaping ability and his knack for acrobatic catches can also help the Jaguars replace Allen Robinson as well.

Round in which he should be drafted:

Early 2nd round – Late 3rd round

Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State

Comparison: Rob Gronkowski

Dallas Goedert measured in at 6’5 at the NFL Combine. But due to an injury he suffered at the Senior Bowl, he didn’t partake in any tests at the NFL Combine besides the bench press, where he was able to do 23 reps. He finished his career at South Dakota State with 198 catches, 2,988 receiving yards, and 21 receiving touchdowns.

Why he doesn’t fit with the Jags:

Luke Joeckel, Blake Bortles, Dante Fowler, Jalen Ramsey, and Leonard Fournette. What do these guys have in common? They were all first round picks selected by Dave Caldwell, the first five in his career as the Jaguars General Manager. Besides Bortles, all of his first round picks are from a Power Five conference school, and besides Ramsey, they are all from the SEC. Because of this, it’s hard to see Caldwell select a guy like Dallas Goedert, who comes from an FCS school such as South Dakota State. Additionally, Goedert has also struggled with drops throughout his career.

Why he fits with the Jags:

He’s tall, athletic, and has good speed for his size. The Jaguars can use him in the same way that the Patriots use Rob Gronkowski. And even though Goedert had a problem with drops throughout his career at South Dakota State, he more than made up for it with some of the most acrobatic catches you will ever see from a tight end. The level of competition made Goedert look like a man among boys, so it will be interesting to see if he can do the same in the NFL.

Round in which he should be drafted:

Late 1st round – Early 3rd round

Hayden Hurst, South Carolina

Comparison: Greg Olsen

Hayden Hurst is a 6’4 tight end weighing in at 250 lbs. His 4.67 40-yard dash time, along with an impressive 31.5 vertical jump highlighted his NFL Combine performance. He finished his career at South Carolina with 100 catches, 1,281 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns.

Why he doesn’t fit with the Jags:

There aren’t many weaknesses in Hurst’s game. One that stands out is his lack of touchdowns throughout his three year career(four total). Besides that, the thing that can deter the Jaguars from selecting Hurst, is his age. By the time the Jaguars take the field in early September, Hurst will have already turned 25, which is pretty old for an NFL rookie. Dave Caldwell is known for drafting rookies who are very young in hopes for them to develop early. Due to this, Caldwell could avoid Hurst in the first round.

Why he fits with the Jags:

Caldwell loves his SEC guys, and Hurst is one of the most productive tight ends to come out of the SEC in the last few years. Unlike guys like Mike Gesicki, Hurst is above average when it comes to blocking and has pretty reliable hands as well. He seems like the most complete tight end in the draft in terms of blocking, receiving, and level of competition played in. Not to mention Hurst was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and has repeatedly mentioned that he has been a Jaguars fan his whole life. It is definitely a perfect fit for both Hurst and the Jaguars.

Round in which he should be drafted:

Late 1st round – Mid 2nd round