When it comes to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ passing game, naturally, Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter will garner much of the attention. But this week against the Cincinnati Bengals, tight end Brenton Strange could play a pivotal role when it comes to moving the ball through the air.
In the Bengals’ Week 1 matchup with Cleveland, the Browns‘ tight end duo of Harold Fannin and David Njoku combined for 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards. This included Njoku hauling in a reception for 17 yards and Fannin catching a pass for 22 yards.
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Strange, meanwhile, is coming off a game where he did a bit of everything for the Jaguars. James Gladstone and Liam Coen have been bullish on Strange since Day 1, and it was easy to see why this past Sunday.
Strange led the team in receiving yards with 59 and played a crucial role in the run game as a blocker. As a pass-catcher, his combination of size, athleticism, and physicality makes Strange a difficult matchup.
Having that element and then pairing it with a do-it-all presence that Strange provides opens up the playbook for Coen because he can fill so many roles. That then not only opens up opportunities for Strange, but it can help create for his teammates as well, both on the ground and through the air.
Also not to be overlooked, either, is the key role that Strange can play in pass protection, with the Jaguars’ offensive tackles having to find a way to limit pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.
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“He played his tail off,” Coen said of Strange, via Jaguars on SI. “I mean, he did. He was physical in the run game, was explosive when he had the ball in his hands, made a couple good catches, but his ability to be able to [be effective], whether it’s at the point of attack or slicing across the formation, he plays violently and he helps set the tone for our offense to be able to go and run the football whether you’re run at the tight end or run away from the tight end.”
Strange’s impact on the Jaguars’ offense will go beyond the stat sheet with his all-encompassing skill set. So, as we look at some of the keys to the game for Jacksonville, like getting the run game going, giving Trevor Lawrence time in the pocket, and where to attack the Bengals’ defense, Strange could leave his mark in each of those areas.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars vs. Bengals: TE Brenton Strange under the radar key to success