Jaguars Training Camp: Tight End Room Has Flashed Impressive Depth, Potential

The tight end room has been one of the standout units from training camp thus far.

Doug Pederson has long been known as a tight end guru. If the early days of the Jacksonville Jaguars training camp are any indication, then that reputation likely isn't changing anytime soon. 

Evan Engram has been his typical impressive self, including an impressive one-handed catch during Friday's practice that reflected just the kind of weapon he is. 

Evan makes it look eazy.@eazyengram | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/Xpo4Us8e7t

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) July 28, 2023

But Engram isn't alone. Engram commanded the vast majority of the production from the tight end room a year ago, but the room has shown plenty of talent, depth and potential through the first three days of this year's camp.

From third-year veteran Luke Farrell -- who looks set to see an expanded role for the first time in his Jaguars career -- to second-year tight end Gerrit Prince and second-round pick Brenton Strange, the Jaguars have plenty of youth behind Engram. And through the early stages of camp, the young trio has made plays at a consistent rate.

“Yeah, this is the first time I’m a vet in the room. I’m the oldest guy in the room and I take a lot of pride in that," Engram said on Thursday. 

"It doesn’t really put a lot of pressure on myself, but it’s just a standard I get to set every single day for the younger guys. The standard that (Tight Ends Coach Richard Angulo) Rich preaches and coaches and I’m the first extension of that. This example I get to set every single day that holds myself to a high standard. The deal is done but there’s still so much for me to accomplish as an individual and as a team. Nothing is in my way of trying to be great, there’s no complacency on my part. I’m trying to help this team take that next step and go compete for a trophy.”

So far, Engram and his younger teammates have done exactly that. It wasn't long ago that the Jaguars were wandering aimlessly at the tight end position, with investments in free-agents and draft picks alike failing in the wake of Marcedes Lewis' release after the 2017 season.

The growth for the tight end room began in the offseason, with Engram's absence due to his contract situation allowing Prince, Farrell and Strange to see reps that they otherwise never would have saw. 

“Honestly, it was huge that he wasn’t here. Luke Farrell has a huge opportunity to step into a role here, then Gerrit Prince had an opportunity too. Brenton Strange probably gets more reps immediately than he would’ve had Evan been here," Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor said this week. "I think for those guys it was invaluable for them to get that opportunity, to get that experience with Trevor [QB Trevor Lawrence], to get that experience in our system, in meetings, whatever it may be. 

"For us to know that now you add Evan into that mix, they get a chance to see the way Evan has done things as opposed to just watching them on tape. I think that was huge for the growth of the room. It’s going to be an ongoing battle throughout to see how that room shakes out, who steps into what opportunities, but I think the spring was very beneficial for that group.”

Engram will be the star, but for the first time in a long time, the Jaguars can potentially hang their hat on their tight end room. And in a way, maybe that is what we should have always expected from a Pederson offense.