In his role as head coach, Liam Coen must take a world view of this weekend’s NFL Draft. He knows the Jacksonville Jaguars need to add defensive line help and outside linebacker competition.

But on April 24, during a third round in which the Jaguars have three picks (Nos. 81, 88 and 100), the offensive play-caller in Coen should turn to general manager James Gladstone and say, “It’s time to give me another weapon.”

Advertisement

The Jaguars’ initial offensive selection should be a tight end. A tight end who can complement Brenton Strange and allow Coen to move away from using a sixth offensive linemen in “heavy” personnel.

And this may be the draft to address it.

“There are a number of tight ends throughout the draft,” Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta told reporters. “As you get into the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds, we see guys that do something well.”

1 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

1 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

2 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

3 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

4 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

5 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

6 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

7 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

The shoes are shown of Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen as he speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

8 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

9 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

10 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

11 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

12 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

13 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen laughs with media members after speaking at the lectern during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

14 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

15 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

16 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

17 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

18 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

19 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

20 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

21 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

22 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

The sandals are shown of Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen as he speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

23 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

24 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence enters the room to speak during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

25 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

26 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

27 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

28 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

29 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

30 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

31 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Logos are shown as Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

32 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

A custom Breitling watch is shown as Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

33 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

The shoes are shown of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence as he speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

34 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

35 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

36 / 36

Jaguars’ Phase 1 offseason workout program begins, press conference

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence exits a press conference after speaking at the Miller Electric Center, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Said Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton:  “I’ll say this about this class: If you’re looking for a blocking ‘Y,’ there’s a handful available. If you’re looking for a ‘move’ — a little bit of an undersized ‘F’ — they’re out there.”

Advertisement

If the Jaguars prefer a catch-first tight end, several could be on the board in round 3. Ditto if they prefer a grinding-type who can lock horns with defensive ends.

The Jaguars enter the weekend with four tight ends under contract: Strange, Quintin Morris, Hunter Long and Patrick Herbert. Help is required.

How Jaguars used Strange

The “F” tight end is a player with the athleticism to be moved around the formation and excel as a pass-catcher. The “Y” tight end lines up next to the offensive tackle and can block. Ideally, a tight end can do some of both.

The Jaguars believe they have a long-term building block in Strange, a player with traits of an “F” and “Y.”

Advertisement

The Times-Union charted Strange’s 48 catches in 2025 in 13 games (including playoffs); a hip injury cost him five games. The data showed why the Jaguars should want to add a tight end who can play in all situations.

On 33 of Strange’s catches, the Jaguars used “11” personnel (1RB-1TE-3WR), followed by 12 catches in “12” (1RB-2TE-2WR) and two catches in “13” (1RB-1WR-3TE). The Jaguars simply couldn’t prioritize big personnel with three true tight ends.

Strange lined up all over the formation, led by 15 apiece at right and left tight end, but also five at the right slot and even three in the backfield and one apiece lined up wide right and left. Only six of his catches came from a three-point stance start.

Adding a tight end would diversify their personnel usage.

Advertisement

In the last year’s final five games, they used “12” on 69 snaps, according to the Times-Union’s charting, but no traditional “13” personnel. Coen was often forced to use a sixth lineman in heavy groupings. The rub is obvious: That player is an eligible receiver in name only — he wasn’t going to run any routes. It was good for pass protection and run-blocking, but not for stressing a defense’s coverage plan.

The Los Angeles Rams rolled out “13” personnel in their win over the Jaguars last year. If a team has three true tight ends on the field, a defense faces a dilemma: Play their base package to stop the run, which makes them susceptible to the pass? Or play their sub package to cover the tight ends, which makes them susceptible to the run?

“Man, (Rams coach) Sean (McVay) started something,” said Coen, who had two tours on the Rams’ staff. “It’s making the league look at how we are playing the personnel. I think it’s going to force defenses to have more base calls.”

The name of offensive football is creating advantageous match-ups. Get Strange against a linebacker? Edge to the Jaguars. Force a defense to play five defensive backs against a three-tight end package? Edge to the Jaguars’ running backs.

Advertisement

The way the Jaguars deploy Strange is similar to many teams because we are in a terrific era of tight end play.

Last year, 12 of the top 50 pass-catchers (receptions) were tight ends, the most in at least a decade (only six tight ends were in the top 50 in 2021).

In the top 25 of 2025 were Arizona’s Trey McBride (126 catches, second-most), Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts (88, 10th), Houston’s Dalton Schultz and Dallas’ Jake Ferguson (82 apiece, tied 14th), New Orleans’ Juwan Johnson (77, tied 21st) and Kansas City’s Travis Kelce and Indianapolis’ Tyler Warren (76, tied 24th).

More from O’Halloran: Jacksonville Jaguars’ 56th pick has a rich NFL Draft trade history

Advertisement

Not included in the top 50 were Strange, who played at a 65-catch pace and San Francisco’s George Kittle, who played at an 88-catch pace, but was limited to 11 games.

The third round or even the fourth round could become a sweet spot for the Jaguars to draft a tight end. Among the top 12 tight ends in catches last year, Kelce and Cleveland’s Harold Fannin were third-round picks and Schultz, Ferguson and Tampa Bay’s Cade Otton were fourth-round selections.

Potential third-round options

Evaluating college tight ends can be a necessary fool’s errand.

“It’s all receiving (tape),” Jaguars tight ends coach Richard Angulo told me in January. “The first thing we look at is the physicality and a lot of guys don’t naturally have it. Strange is a naturally physical guy, but some guys, you have to push and force it. When it comes to the college landscape, it is more finesse, pass-catching and stats.”

Advertisement

Does Angulo have to literally start with stance and the first step with some tight ends?

“Oh, 100%,” he said. “It’s the same as coaching in high school. And that’s not say because college tight ends have gone downhill because that’s for truly every position. But if you approach it that way, there is no guessing. It’s Step 0 and moving your way up and doing it the way we want you to do it.”

Coen agrees, calling evaluating college tight ends a “tough one.”

“What ‘Y’ (also) has enough athletic movements and hands and ball skills and feel to be able to run the route tree?” Coen said. “And then can the ‘F’ can (also) block linebackers and safeties at the second level? There’s a little bit of projecting.”

Advertisement

Four potential options for the Jaguars in the range of No. 81-100 are Ohio State’s Max Klare, N.C. State’s Justin Joly, Stanford’s Sam Roush and Texas A&M’s Nate Boerkircher.

Klare (246 pounds) had 116 catches in his final three years, Joly (241) had 166 catches in four seasons and lived in the slot, Roush (267) is a classic “Y” player but had 119 catches in four seasons and Boerkircher (245)  had only 38 catches in six seasons.

Can Klare, Joly and Boerkircher block well enough? Can Roush show route-running ability to win against lighter players? The projecting exercise has been on overdrive during the pre-draft process. If the Jaguars find the right tight end, even if initially playing a supporting role, their offense will reach new heights.

Contact O’Halloran at rohalloran@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars should draft a tight end in the third round of the NFL Draft