The Jacksonville Jaguars made a surprising pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Nate Boerkircher 56th overall despite having a late fifth-round grade. The former Nebraska and Texas A&M product is best known for his blocking as a traditional in-line “Y” tight end. However, Boerkircher was not overly productive in the passing game, totaling 417 yards and four touchdowns over six seasons, including a career-high 19 receptions for 198 yards and three touchdowns in his final and lone college season with the Aggies.
Jacksonville Jaguars’ 56th pick explains his lack of receiving production
Nate Boerkircher
Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown to tie the game in the second half of a NCAA football game against Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in South Bend. The extra point scored after this touchdown put Texas A&M ahead 41-40 to win the game.
During Saturday’s rookie minicamp practice, Nate Boerkircher was asked about his limited college production as a receiver, as reported by Paul Bretl of Jaguars Wire. The second-round pick explained that although he wouldn’t say he was underutilized and wanted more targets in 2025, Texas A&M had two wide receivers with first-round talent in Mario Craver and KC Concepcion. Boerkircher added that he filled his role and played it to the best of his ability.
“I would say there’s a lot that goes into it,” Boerkircher said, via Bretl. “I wouldn’t say I was always underutilized. I want more passes for sure. Everyone does. Like we go back to A&M, we had a complicated offense. It was a great, versatile offense. We had two first-round talent receivers with Mario Craver and KC (Concepcion). And so, those are the guys we really wanted to attack, and so it just is what it is. I just filled my role and played it to the best of my ability.”
Liam Coen defended the Jaguars’ draft selections that were against the consensus
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The Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen spoke about Jacksonville native Carson Beck who was quarterback at the Miami Hurricanes last year and at the Georgia Bulldogs before that, during the annual pre-draft luncheon press conference in the media room at the Miller Electric Center Thursday April 9, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
“So, it’s about our consensus and what we believe in this building about each player and how they fit in and character matters, personal and football character matters,” Coen said, via John Shipley of Sports Illustrated.
“The mental, the learning, how much they can take in a short period of time to go be able to get on the grass and go play. I wouldn’t say either of our offensive or defensive systems are quote-unquote easy, so we do value players that can do different things and be able to go mentally play the game fast.”