The Jaguars were absent from ESPN’s latest tight end rankings for the 2025 season. Can Brenton Strange make a push for the 2026 rankings?
No member of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ tight end unit made ESPN’s top tight end rankings this season, but can Brenton Strange position himself in 2025 to be in the conversation in 2026?
Jeremy Fowler spoke with NFL execs, coaches, and scouts to compile his list of the top 10 tight ends entering the 2025 season. Beyond the top 10 list, there were also seven tight ends who were honorable mentions, and another five tight ends who received votes. So, essentially, front office members picked their top 22 tight ends in the NFL, and the Jaguars were absent from this list.
I wouldn’t say that is surprising at this time. Johnny Mundt, Hunter Long, and Quintin Morris have all been block first tight ends in their careers, while Strange has just 45 career receptions.
However, as we’ve highlighted, Strange is a prime breakout candidate this season and could potentially find himself in this conversation next offseason with a strong showing in 2025.
The reason that Strange has breakout potential is twofold–for one, he now sits at the top of the tight end depth chart, which on its own, will create more opportunities. But in addition to that, he will be a big part of helping to make the Liam Coen offense go.
In Tampa Bay last season, where Coen was calling plays, tight end Cade Otton finished the season with 84 targets, which was the ninth-most among all tight ends. He was also 14th in yards and 13th in touchdowns, per PFF.
Also of note, Strange is now operating in an offense that features a lot of talent at wide receiver, which could help create advantageous matchups for him to exploit, with the attention that the wideouts draw.
Beyond Strange’s production as a pass catcher, his versatility and ability in the run game will allow him to impact the game in a variety of ways. This do-it-all presence at tight end adds a layer of unpredictability to an offense with that player able to shoulder so many responsibilities, and it keeps defenses off balance and guessing.
Strange going from not being mentioned in these rankings to the top 10 would be a massive leap, but his skill set within Coen’s offense could have him at least be a part of the conversation next summer.
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