Why a Jaguars Rookie TE Can Have a Major Impact in 2026
The Jacksonville Jaguars had a good number of holes to fill entering the 2026 NFL Draft. After a quiet free agency period that disappointed many fans in Duval County, general manager James Gladstone made sure that progress was made during the draft. One of the most shocking moves was the team selecting Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher in the second round. Although the Jaguars already have a lot of hype surrounding Penn State alum Brenton Strange leading the corps entering 2026, Gladstone believed the tight end room still needed some more depth. However, with Strange and his injury concerns in the past, it is quite likely that the young rookie could find himself with significant playing time in 2026.
Boerkircher went through battles to find playing time in his collegiate career. After five seasons at Nebraska, he transferred to Texas A&M and made the roster as a walk-on. His most notable moment came when the Nebraska native caught a touchdown pass en route to an upset victory over eighth-ranked Notre Dame. Boerkircher ended his collegiate career with 38 receptions for 417 yards and four touchdowns, alongside an additional rushing touchdown in his senior year. However, the 24-year-old has yet to sign his rookie contract. This is normal behavior for a high draft pick since the teams usually wait for their lower picks to sign first, as the team is positive that they’ll reach a deal.
Once signed, Boerkircher will enter training camp as the backup tight end behind Strange. Strange, who missed significant time in 2025 due to injury and has shown flashes of greatness yet no consistency, will find himself some competition in the new rookie. Head coach Liam Coen is confident in the youngster’s ability, highlighting Boerkircher’s high ranking among tight end prospects with a 142.1 passer rating when targeted in 2025. Offensive coordinator Grant Udinski believes the rookie will bring a lot to the team in 2026, leaning towards Boerkircher’s positive production through his blocking abilities. The new blocking tight end could be the missing piece that allows second-year running back Bhayshul Tuten to thrive on the ground. The former Aggie will also have room to grow in the passing game and could find himself as a new target for veteran quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Depending on how he performs in camp and the preseason, Boerkircher could be a key contributor to Jacksonville very soon.
