Jaguars head coach Liam Coen had a lot of positive things to say about the two rookie tight ends they drafted this year.
The Jacksonville Jaguars had a great 2025 season, concluding the year 13-4, and making the playoffs although they lost to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card round. They addressed a need for more offensive weapons this offseason, as they drafted tight end Nate Boerkircher out of Texas A&M in the 2nd round, 56th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. They also drafted another tight end, Tanner Koziol, from the University of Houston in the 5th round, 164th overall.
Nate Boerkircher Breakdown
Nate Boerkircher started his college football career at Nebraska in 2021. As a redshirt freshman, Boerkircher played in three games, recording two catches for 14 yards. In the following season, his numbers remained around the same, catching six passes for 52 yards and a touchdown. In four years at Nebraska, he totaled 19 catches for 219 yards and a touchdown before transferring to Texas A&M in 2025.
As an Aggie, Boerkircher accumulated 19 receptions for 198 yards and and three touchdowns in his lone season at Texas A&M. (Bowl Stats included). As a prospect, Boerkircher is six foot five, 245 pounds, and got a Total Score of 71 by Next Gen Stats at the 2026 NFL Combine, which ranked eighth among tight ends. (Numbers based on Production/Athleticism Score.)
Tanner Koziol Breakdown
Tanner Koziol began his college football career at Ball State, catching 163 passes for 1,507 yards and 18 touchdowns. Koziol transferred to Houston in 2025, and totaled 74 catches for 727 yards and six touchdowns (Bowl Game stats included). Koziol had a really good college football year and proved to be a playmaker on the field based on his stats. He fell to the fifth round but the Jaguars got a steal of this draft class.
Now the Jaguars add two tight ends which can further help their offense.
Rookie Tight Ends Get Props From Liam Coen
Jaguars head coach Liam Coen spoke positively of the Boerkircher and Koziol combination at their rookie minicamp.
"I was really excited about this draft class of tight ends," Coen said. "I think there were a lot of really good ones."
Coen went on to state that the two bring different skill sets to the table.
"The diversity of skill sets is important. They're different enough but also wired similarly," Coen said. "That's what is fun about it, it allows not only those guys to go help us in their own skill sets, but also maybe help other guys in their skill sets just by adding that depth and competition."
The Jaguars begin OTA's on May 26th.
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