Jacksonville ends its draft wait at No. 56, adding Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher as a future depth piece for Liam Coen’s offense.
The Jacksonville Jaguars finally got on the board in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they used their first pick to add more muscle to the offense.
With the No. 56 overall selection, the Jaguars drafted Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher, giving head coach Liam Coen another developmental piece for a position group that could look very different after the 2026 season.
Jacksonville had to wait longer than usual because its 2026 first-round pick was included in last year’s blockbuster move up to No. 2 overall for Travis Hunter.
Still, compared to Coen’s previous experience with the 2022 Los Angeles Rams, waiting until pick No. 56 probably didn’t feel too painful.
Boerkircher brings a traditional tight end profile to Jacksonville. He played mostly as an in-line Y tight end at Texas A&M, lining up attached to the formation on 69 percent of his snaps.
That matters for a Jaguars offense that needs tight ends who can handle dirty work in the run game while still offering enough receiving value to keep defenses honest.
In his lone season with the Aggies after transferring from Nebraska, Boerkircher posted career highs with 19 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns.
Those numbers won’t scream instant star, but they do point to a player who became more involved as his role expanded.
The pick also makes sense when looking ahead. Jacksonville has Brenton Strange, Quintin Morris and Hunter Long facing free agency in 2027, with Strange expected back.
Boerkircher gives the Jaguars another option to develop before that room potentially turns over.
Jacksonville still has plenty of draft capital to work with, including 11 total picks and four selections inside the top 100. But Boerkircher is the first piece of this year’s class, and he fills a practical need with long-term upside.
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