Jags’ TE corps among weakest position groups in the NFL

Pro Football Focus deemed the Jags’ current tight end group one of the weakest position groups in the entire league.

With all the signings Jacksonville made in free agency to address weaknesses on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, there was one glaring area that was left largely unchanged: the tight end spot. The team made the decision to bring back James O’Shaughnessy while also adding Chris Manhertz from Carolina, who had just six catches during the 2020 season.

There were several high-profile free agent options available, like Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, but the Jags didn’t make a play at either. Now, entering the draft, tight end is the team’s biggest area of need (aside from quarterback, which should be mediated in the draft with the selection of Trevor Lawrence). Not only is it the biggest need for Jacksonville, but the team’s hunger for a long-term answer at tight end is one of the largest needs in all of football, according to a breakdown from Pro Football Focus of the weakest position groups for the entire league.

Jacksonville removed Tyler Eifert and Josh Oliver from its 2020 group at tight end and added former Carolina Panthers tight end Chris Manhertz. Those moves don’t give the team any kind of additional receiving threat at the position. Manhertz’s 52 receiving yards this past season tied for a career-high in his six-year NFL career, and that modest total came despite playing 502 offensive snaps.

“That was a high priority,” Urban Meyer said of the Manhertz signing, per Jaguar Report’s John Shipley. “We have two different styles of tight ends, one is a ‘Y’, which is — on the line, basically an extension of your offensive line, a very good blocker, but also very functional in the pass game.”

To that point, Manhertz did come away with a career-best 69.0 run-blocking grade in 2020 and has improved there every year in the NFL. The Jaguars still lack any kind of receiving threat at the position, though. James O’Shaughnessy stands out as the top option, but he’s coming off just a 57.6 overall grade and 28 catches this past season in Jacksonville.

With Eifert’s departure, Jacksonville can’t afford to enter the 2021 season without adding at least one more player at the tight end position, and that move will likely be made in the draft. There’s a potentially transcendent tight end prospect available in Florida’s Kyle Pitts, but unfortunately for the Jaguars, he’s projected to go in the top-10 according to most mock drafts.

But Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth, who is considered the No. 2 tight end in the class, will likely be available a bit later. He’s projected as a Day 2 pick according to most big boards, and with two picks in the second round, the Jaguars have an excellent chance of coming away with him if they decide to target him. They pick at 33rd and 45th, but they’d be chancing another team selecting him if they waited until their second pick, so it seems likely that the Jags would pull the trigger on Freiermuth with the first pick in the second round, assuming he’s available.

There’s a significant dropoff after Freiermuth, and if the Jags fail to come away with him, tight end will be a position of great concern in 2021, to say the least.

Report: Jags expected to decline Tyler Eifert’s contract option

Per Ian Rapoprt, the Jags will be letting Tyler Eifert hit the open market after just one season on the team.

After just one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, tight end Tyler Eifert will be playing for his third team in 2021 in all probability. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team won’t be picking up his contract option, which would’ve paid him just under $5 million.

Eifert, 30, join the Jags last season after spending his first seven with the Cincinnati Bengals. The former first-round pick was one of the additions the Jags made last season due to his connection with former offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, who was the Bengals offensive coordinator from 2011-13.

Last season, Eifert played in all but one game and was able to accumulate 36 catches for 349 yards and two touchdowns. Four of those games were starts as he got the nod against the Tennessee Titans (twice), Bengals, and the Baltimore Ravens.

Eifert’s deal was a two-year deal, but the second year was an option for the team to pick up. However, with a new regime coming in, it appears Urban Meyer and company are looking to go in a different direction.

[vertical-gallery id=40749]

With the most cap space in the NFL, the Jags could have another veteran tight end in mind to grab next month. They also have 11 draft picks, four of which are in the top-45 and could be used to address Eifert’s departure, too.

Listen to the latest from Jags Wire’s own James Johnson and Phil Smith on their podcast “Bleav in the Jags.” Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and check out our archived episodes via Bleav Podcasts.

Watch: TE Tyler Eifert snags Jags’ second touchdown vs. Browns

Despite having to start several reserves on offense, the Jacksonville Jaguars have scored a touchdown in two consecutive quarters against the Cleveland Browns. In the second quarter, they had a touchdown connection between quarterback Mike Glennon …

Despite having to start several reserves on offense, the Jacksonville Jaguars have scored a touchdown in two consecutive quarters against the Cleveland Browns. In the second quarter, they had a touchdown connection between quarterback Mike Glennon and receiver Collin Johnson. However, in the third quarter, the veteran hit tight end Tyler Eifert with a pin-point 2-yard throw.

The play in which the Jags scored on appeared to be a fake screen to the top of the formation, however, the Browns weren’t fooled. In fact, safety Carl Joseph jammed Eifert at the line of scrimmage and stuck with him but Glennon put the ball on the money despite the tight coverage.

The Jags then pulled back in front by a score of 19-17 but failed on a 2-point conversion attempt that followed. The Browns eventually were able to regain the lead, though, courtesy of a 45-yard field goal by Cody Parkey.

Eifert currently has three receptions on the day for 16 yards while Glennon is 14-of-24 for 188 yards and two touchdowns. The veteran quarterback has certainly held his own in his first start with the Jags, keeping a game that could’ve been ugly within reach.

At the moment, the Browns are up 27-19 in the fourth quarter, so the Jags will need some more heroics from Glennon. With just under 13 minutes left, he certainly has time to make something happen after an impressive start to his Jags career.

Tyler Eifert scores his first career touchdown with Jags vs. Titans

Tyler Eifert put the Jags on the board vs. the Titans with his first TD as a Jag.

The Jacksonville Jaguars finally got on the board in their heated AFC South matchup with the Tennessee Titans.

After throwing a costly interception that led to a 9-yard touchdown from Titans wide receiver Corey Davis, Jags quarterback Gardner Minshew II found tight end Tyler Eifert for a huge 19-yard touchdown reception:

The reception is Eifert’s very first touchdown in a Jaguars uniform. With the touchdown the Titans now lead the Jags 14-7 in the second quarter.

Jags TE coach Ron Middleton discusses catering to Tyler Eifert’s strengths

The tight end position is one many Jacksonville Jaguars fans will be watching closely this year because there are a lot of questions to be answered. Most were especially eager to see second-year tight end Josh Oliver return to the field as he …

The tight end position is one many Jacksonville Jaguars fans will be watching closely this year because there are a lot of questions to be answered. Most were especially eager to see second-year tight end Josh Oliver return to the field as he offered great upside as a pass-catcher, however, those plans will have to be put on hold after he recently broke his foot.

One player tight end coach Ron Middleton clearly believes could be the guy is veteran Tyler Eifert, who was one of the team’s top free-agent additions. In his meeting with the media Tuesday, he spoke highly of Eifert’s receiving skills and made it clear that he’s going to be heavily used in the passing game.

“We’ve got to be smart, as coaches, to put him in the position where’s he going to best serve or best give us the most that he’s got to give,” said Middleton. “We didn’t bring him here to put him in the backfield and lead up on linebackers. We expect him to be split out, running those routes that we know he can run and doing those other things that make him such a valuable part of the offense. I’ve been very impressed with him.”

With Jay Gruden becoming the new offensive coordinator and Doug Marrone stressing putting the players on the roster where they can thrive, Middleton’s statements make sense. It also makes sense from the perspective of giving quarterback Gardner Minshew II more weapons to thrive.

However, the key for Eifert will be to remain healthy as he’s missed over 50 regular season games in his career. If there is one positive to make fans believe he can, it’s the fact that he was available for every game last season.

In a league where a solid receiving tight end separates the good offense’s from the bad, the Jags have long needed to find that guy at the position. While Eifert’s history states that fans shouldn’t have the highest expectations, registering 400 to 600 yards and five touchdowns could be a huge help for the Jags’ offense.

Heading forward Eifert’s name will be one to watch in camp as we get closer to the season. If he can get some momentum going within the next couple of weeks that would be huge for the Jags’ offense when considering they already have threats in the run game and the perimeter in Leonard Fournette and D.J. Chark, respectively.

Listen to the latest from Jags Wire’s own James Johnson and Phil Smith on their podcast “Bleav in the Jags.” Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and check out our archived episodes via Bleav Podcasts.

[protected-iframe id=”87554dc7814cf3fb80425035780e34ad-105974738-159322853″ info=”https://art19.com/shows/bleav-in-the-jacksonville-jaguars/episodes/4e527196-b208-4481-a213-1b18c0fde6e0/embed” scrolling=”no”]

Tyler Eifert impressed with Gardner Minshew’s work ethic during offseason

Gardner Minshew has caught the attention of many with his work ethic this summer, including the team’s most experienced starter.

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Tyler Eifert may be new to the team and city of Jacksonville, but he’s already taken notice to the work ethic of quarterback Gardner Minshew II. With the team wrapping up their virtual workouts in May, Eifert told Sirius XM NFL Radio that he liked how Minshew took initiative as a leader as the Jags look to have a better season in 2020.

“Getting to know Gardner a little bit, he’s hard worker,” Eifert said this week to Sirius XM NFL Radio. “He took charge, took initiative during the OTAs to get the guys together aside from our OTA meetings. We’d get on and do like a virtual walkthrough. It’s just good to learn a little bit different than just looking at your installs and trying to memorize it. You’ve got to think on your feet a little bit.”

Eifert is a veteran who has been in the league for seven seasons and will be the oldest player on the starting lineup if all goes well. That said, for him to take note of Minshew’s leadership skills means a lot.

However, it would be hard-pressed to find a fan who is exactly shocked.

Minshew displayed this same dedication to his craft as a rookie after not just taking over for Nick Foles once, but twice in 2019. He ultimately finished the season with 3,271 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and six interceptions. That impressed Dave Caldwell and Doug Marrone enough to give him the nod in 2020 and the rest is history.

Podcast: Who is the Jags’ best player, biggest new addition, has the most to prove?

Jags Wire’s James Johnson and Phil Smith preview the outlook on who is the Jags’ best player, who willed to move themselves and more.

With another week in the books comes another episode of “Bleav in the Jags.”

For episode 17, Jags Wire contributor Phil Smith and I took a page from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Twitter following and discussed the outlook for the team with five important questions:

  • What players could fall short of expectations in 2020?
  • Who is the Jags’ best player?
  • Who is the team’s biggest new addition?
  • Who will take the biggest leap?
  • Who is on a prove-it year?

Beforehand we also discussed the contract of running back Chris Thompson and what he brings to the table, as well as the Jags trying to work their way back to TIAA Bank Field as the coronavirus pandemic continues to be an issue for the sports world.

Feel free to listen to the archived episodes of “Bleav in the Jags,”too, and subscribe via Apple podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify.

[protected-iframe id=”724d30786c8dac2be8d1e61da91775bd-105974738-159322853″ info=”https://art19.com/shows/bleav-in-the-jacksonville-jaguars/episodes/5093b054-fc11-4309-9e6c-6b2a28769157/embed” scrolling=”no”]

Jags depth chart prediction: Tight end

The Jags came into 2020 with a huge need at tight end but made the key addition of Tyler Eifert which could pay off if he’s healthy.

As promised, we’ll be continuing our depth chart predictions throughout the next few days with the quarterbacks and running backs out of the way. For today’s preview, we’ll be giving our predictions for the tight end position, a spot that was of huge need when the 2019 season ended.

TE1: Tyler Eifert

Despite his history with injuries (has miss 53 career games), Tyler Eifert is one of the Jags’ biggest free-agent pickups for 2020 and he’ll be the player who is the most familiar with the offensive scheme after spending time with Jay Gruden in Cincinnati. While it’s a gamble to bank on his availability, it’s one that could pay off big for Jacksonville as he’s proven he can be a respectable target when healthy.

Eifert will be coming off a season where he played in all 16 games in 2019 and garnered 43 catches for 436 yards and three touchdowns with the Bengals. That total would be easily the most the Jags have had from the tight end position in four seasons. That said, hopefully, he can provide Gardner Minshew II with a threat in the middle of the field, something he clearly lacked during his rookie season.

TE2: Josh Oliver

The second tight end spot behind Eifert will be up for grabs and Josh Oliver should be one of the two players fighting for it. The Jags invested a third-round pick into him last year and have made it clear they have high hopes for him as a receiver.

Oliver will be coming off a season where he didn’t practice all that much with a hamstring injury and he only saw the field for four games before being placed on injured reserve with a back injury. He was only able to register three receptions for 15 yards, so there is a lot for him to prove in 2020.

TE3: James O’Shaughnessy

James O’Shaughnessy will be battling for the TE2 spot as well after ending up on IR with Oliver with a torn ACL. When he was available, O’Shaughnessy was clearly one of Minshew’s favorite targets and the two linked up for two touchdowns.

If O’Shaughnessy is healthy by the time the Jags take the field for training camp, maybe the two can pick up where they left off. That would certainly bode well for O’Shaughnessy being the guy behind Eifert if so.

TE4: Charles Jones

Charles Jones signed with the Jags last offseason after the draft as an undrafted free agent. He eventually ended up on their practice squad in September and was promoted to the 53-man roster in November. He was active for four games and only registered a catch for five yards in their season finale against the Indianapolis Colts.

Much like Oliver, he has a lot to prove in 2020. However, due to not being a high draft selection, his chances aren’t nearly as high to stick around. Still, he has a little more experience than the rookies behind him and looks more like a practice squad candidate.

TE5: Tyler Davis

Sixth-round pick Tyler Davis was one of the Jags’ 12 draft selections this offseason. He spent a majority of his collegiate career at the University of Connecticut but transferred to Georgia Tech in 2019. While there, he accumulated 17 catches for 248 yards and a touchdown and was able to register 47 catches for 500 yards and seven touchdowns with the Huskies prior.

At 6-foot-4, 252-pounds, he’ll be an interesting project for the Jags and could climb the depth chart by flashing in the preseason. In all probability, he’ll have to spend 2020 on the practice squad but could be a player who is much more polished two years down the road.

TE6: Ben Ellefson

Ben Ellefson was one of the Jags’ many undrafted free-agent additions after the 2020 NFL Draft. He wasn’t quite as productive as Davis in terms of receiving yards while in college at North Dakota State, but will be coming off two seasons where he nearly registered 200 yards. However, he also was pretty good at finding the end-zone, accumulating 16 career touchdowns.

Like Davis, he’s a practice squad candidate and his best way to stick around will be showcasing his blocking ability and showing up on special teams.

Tyler Eifert discusses his transition into Jay Gruden’s offense, Gardner Minshew

From the moment Jay Gruden joined the Jacksonville Jaguars, many fans singled out Tyler Eifert as a player who could join his former coach in Northeast Florida as the team had a need for a veteran tight end. As expected, the reunion between the two …

From the moment Jay Gruden joined the Jacksonville Jaguars, many fans singled out Tyler Eifert as a player who could join his former coach in Northeast Florida as the team had a need for a veteran tight end. As expected, the reunion between the two became a reality in March and now the two are ready to restore the success they had with the Cincinnati Bengals.

In a Zoom meeting with the media Thursday, Eifert was asked about his connection with Gruden and how well his transition was going. Unsurprisingly, he stated that things were going as well as possible despite the limitations that the coronavirus has caused.

“We get along great,” Eifert said Thursday in a conference call with the media. “I had a good understanding of the offense he runs. Just having that familiarity with the offense is nice. There’s some new stuff in here. But just being familiar with it and having a general idea of what’s going on makes it a lot easier to learn.”

Eifert’s addition wasn’t one only made to bring an experienced veteran into the mix but it was also one made for the sake of giving quarterback Gardner Minshew II the big target he desperately needed up the middle in 2019. Of course, the reason for the Jags’ struggles at tight end was due to the slew of injuries they had at the position as James O’Shaughnessy and Josh Oliver were placed on injured reserve. In addition to Eifert both will be back, which could give the Jags a huge boost offensively.

In the Zoom call, Eifert praised Minshew’s abilities as a leader and stated that he felt the young quarterback was someone the team could rally behind despite not meeting him in person since signing with the Jags or watching film on him.

With the NFL stating that the season will begin on schedule, Eifert and Minshew will eventually take the field together though it isn’t certain when. In the meantime, it appears the veteran and the rest of the offense is doing everything in their power to hit the ground running when team operations start.

Report: Tyler Eifert contract worth $15.5 million, other specifics remain unclear

The Jacksonville Jaguars addressed their most pressing need on offense with the addition of tight end Tyler Eifert Tuesday. Due to his connection with Jags offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, the move could pay off in the end as it brings in a red …

The Jacksonville Jaguars addressed their most pressing need on offense with the addition of tight end Tyler Eifert Tuesday. Due to  his connection with Jags offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, the move could pay off in the end as it brings in a red zone threat who is familiar with the system.

With Eifert’s history with injuries, the key will be his ability to stay healthy as he’s only participated in 59 games over his seven year career. Despite that, he has the chance to earn $15.5 million over the course of his two-year deal, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, however, the rest of his contract specifics are unknown.

Upon first glancing at Rapoport’s statements, fans probably won’t like that figure for the veteran but it’s worth noting that the deal is incentive based. That news was reported by the Associated Press’ Mark Long on Tuesday.

When looking at how they’ve done contracts in the past, it’s possible the deal will have an out in year two, with the guarantees mostly paid off. That way if the Jags get enough out of Eifert in 2020, they can make another decision next spring but that’s just pure speculation.

Eifert will enter 2020 with a career total of 185 catches, 2,152 yards and 24 touchdowns. When healthy he’s been a big-time red zone threat and could help Gardner Minshew II improve his play significantly in 2020.