Jaguars' second-round pick should actually make Evan Engram happy
The Jacksonville Jaguars stuck to a similar game plan on Day 2 as they did in the first round. They traded down with the Chicago Bears from 56th overall to 61st overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. In return, the Jaguars received the Bears' 136th pick, the first selection of the […]
The Jacksonville Jaguars stuck to a similar game plan on Day 2 as they did in the first round. They traded down with the Chicago Bears from 56th overall to 61st overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
In return, the Jaguars received the Bears' 136th pick, the first selection of the fifth round. At 61st, Jacksonville selected tight end Brenton Strange from Penn State.
The 6-foot-3, 253-pound tight end out of the Big 10 is a little bit of a projection for the Jaguars. With 32 catches and 362 receiving yards in 2022, Strange aims to have a big career in the NFL thanks to his athleticism.
Here's The Athletic's Dane Brugler's scouting report summary on Brenton Strange:
Overall, Strange doesn't offer ideal size or refinement as a blocker or pass catcher, but he shows outstanding desire and functional athleticism in both areas. He is a well-rounded H-back prospect with the talent to be a better pro than college player.
The key aspect of Brugler's report comes right at the end. Strange, being an H-back type tight end, isn't really a threat to Evan Engram. An "H-back" will usually line up next to the line of scrimmage, set back from the actual line. Thus, he'll play a major role in blocking.
Engram, meanwhile, is more of an "F" type tight end and thrives as a slot option in the Jags' offense. In fact, after months and months of speculation about potentially drafting a top-tier tight end in the NFL Draft, Engram should be relieved.
Sure, the team selected a second-round guy to play the same position as he does. But both will complement each other more than compete against each other.
Doug Pederson talked about tight end being an important position for his offense in the team's pre-draft press conference earlier this month.
"I've always been – whether I was a player or coach – we've always had really, really good tight ends," the Jaguars head coach told reporters. "The tight end becomes a really important piece. I mean, it comes almost like your best friend, right?"
