It is a new period in Duval County because the Jacksonville Jaguars bolster a brand new regime with the mindset for returning to not simply postseason rivalry however remaining perennial in that regard.
Head coach Liam Coen and normal supervisor James Gladstone have enacted a brand new tradition inside the group that’s simply a few months outdated, however it’s one which they hope might translate to success.
One of many new issues inside the franchise is the tight finish place that has undergone change this offseason. Gone is veteran Evan Engram, who was launched earlier than the beginning of free company. In are two new gamers on the place that features Hunter Lengthy and Johnny Mundt.
Nonetheless, what’s new is now the preceived No. 1 tight finish on the roster: third-year participant Brenton Unusual, who emerged as a possible developmental participant that would begin by his third season out of Penn State. The previous second-round draft selection in 2023 caught 40 passes for 411 yards and two touchdowns as he took over for the injured Engram.
Unusual noticed a profession recreation towards the New York Jets in week 14 when he caught 11 passes for 73 yards. All through the season, he flashed reliability as a move catcher who introduced athleticism, enough dimension, and development as a blocker within the trenches. This will have inspired Coen sufficient when he arrived in Jacksonville that the group selected to not add one other enough playmaker at tight finish.
Jaguars TE Brenton Unusual made a bunch of robust catches with many large hits whereas combating for YAC pic.twitter.com/pwlkUXOCr4
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) December 17, 2024
Coming into the NFL, Unusual was thought-about extra so a developmental participant with high quality bodily and athletic attributes that would make him intriguing to franchises throughout the league. Some noticed him as one of many higher tight ends of the category, others within the center and a few as a Day 3 prospect.
“[Strange] is extremely bodily in all elements of his recreation, together with as a blocker, however his approach might want to catch as much as his aggressive nature for him to be efficient on the subsequent degree,” mentioned The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler mentioned in his 2023 draft information, The Beast.
“Total, Unusual doesn’t provide ideally suited dimension or refinement as a blocker or move catcher, however he exhibits excellent need and useful athleticism in each areas.”
Unusual has proven to be an efficient participant for Jacksonville and confirmed at instances he was ready sufficient to deal with a steep goal depend within the passing recreation. It’s clear he has proven development as a participant and the Jaguars really feel the identical approach. Nonetheless, this should not hold them from including one other pass-catching menace because the F-move finish or H-back to enrich him.
For now, the previous Nittany Lion has proven he’s succesful and it’s as much as him to showcase his full expertise for everybody to see.
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