With tight end remaining a weakness on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ roster heading into the regular season, the decision to move on from Josh Oliver may come back to bite the team. The former third-round pick was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in March for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2022 after injuries severely limited impact in his first two seasons.
He’s been a major target for the Ravens in the preseason, as he has totaled 11 catches for 72 yards between the first two contests.
Oliver played in just four games as a rookie, making three catches for 15 yards, and he missed the entire 2020 season. The Jags quickly moved on from Oliver after hiring coach Urban Meyer, and that hasty move could be a mistake in hindsight if the current group struggles in 2021.
James O’Shaughnessy, the best pass-catcher the Jags have at tight end, missed the first game and wasn’t targeted in the second, while no one has really stood out between Chris Manhertz, Luke Farrell, Tyler Davis and Ben Ellefson.
Oliver’s success does have one upside for the Jaguars: If he makes the final roster in Baltimore, Jacksonville receives that seventh-round pick from the trade. But the team would likely rather have the production at tight end over a late Day 3 pick.