The Jacksonville Jaguars have a very bright future. Hiring Doug Pederson as head coach during the 2022 offseason proved to be a great move, as he helped Trevor Lawrence get things on track after a rocky rookie season with Urban Meyer as head coach. With Lawrence looking like the franchise quarterback the team had hoped for when they selected him first overall in 2021, the future’s looking bright in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars did a good job during the 2022 offseason upgrading the roster around Lawrence, which played a part in his improved production. Wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones were both signed in free agency along with tight end Evan Engram.
A shrewd trade was made with the Atlanta Falcons that brought Calvin Ridley to town. Ridley was suspended for the 2022 season but was trending toward being a legitimate No. 1 receiver before that.
He will help take this offense to another level, but the Jaguars shouldn’t stop there. Finding a tight end to pair with Engram would be a good idea. One option in the 2023 NFL Draft could be Sam LaPorta, as the Jaguars were named the best fit for the Hawkeye.
Short-term, LaPorta would make for a great partner for Engram. During his tenure as head coach with the Philadelphia Eagles, Pederson found plenty of success in 12 personnel with two tight ends. He could recreate the pairing of Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert with Engram and LaPorta.
This would also be a selection with an eye toward the future. Engram had the franchise tag placed on him this offseason, which ensures that he will remain in Jacksonville for 2023. But, beyond that, it is anyone’s guess what will happen.
Looking to ensure they have someone to turn to should Engram leave the team in free agency in 2024, LaPorta would be a good option. He showcased good pass-catching ability with 657 yards in 2022. Coming out of Iowa, you know that he can run block as well.
In the last 20 years, 10 Iowa tight ends have been drafted and eight have caught at least 85 passes. The Hawkeyes have a rich tradition of tight ends succeeding in the NFL with George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant being among the most successful recently. LaPorta could be next in line as a second-round pick in what is a deep tight end class.
