We noticed tight finish Brenton Unusual take an enormous step ahead in 2024, and the Jacksonville Jaguars consider he’ll proceed on that trajectory in 2025.
GM James Gladstone has spoken glowingly about Unusual, as did head coach Liam Coen on the NFL’s annual league assembly.
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“He’ll elevate simply by alone getting extra reps, and getting him on the sector is an efficient factor for us,” Coen stated by way of Big Cat Country. “You possibly can inform he’s hungry, needs to proceed to get higher, and he confirmed some very nice issues final yr, particularly after the catch. Doing a little good issues of breaking tackles and getting additional yards.”
Unusual went from catching 5 passes as a rookie in 2023 to hauling in 40 of his 54 targets in 2024. He averaged 10.3 yards per catch, which included averaging almost 5.0 yards in YAC, and he had two touchdowns, per PFF.
Unusual was additionally nonetheless lively as a blocker, with simply shy of 300 snaps in that position, and he has the flexibility to be moved across the formation as nicely, which incorporates taking part in from the slot–which he did plenty of final season–and even out extensive.
“Brenton performs the sport the fitting means. I’ll say that for positive. I really like the best way he competes by the whistle. He does it by the whistle, performs with an edge, he’s bought some twitch, he’s sturdy, he’ll get his fingers on you within the blocking. I actually respect it.”
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With Evan Engram in Denver, there will likely be extra alternatives for Unusual this season. The Jaguars did signal Hunter Lengthy and Johnny Mundt in free company, however each have been major blockers throughout their profession. In order at the moment constructed, Unusual would be the major pass-catching risk at this place for the Jaguars.
Having a flexible tight finish can unlock quite a bit for an offense. A participant who can impression each the run and passing video games, whereas additionally being versatile, provides a layer of unpredictability to an offense. With that participant capable of fill quite a lot of roles, it may be troublesome for defenders to get a beat on what’s coming.
Similar to with the LA Rams, multiplicity and the phantasm of complexity, as Coen calls it, are essential components inside that offense, and the tight finish performs a key position in unlocking these skills.
This text initially appeared on Jaguars Wire: Liam Coen on Jaguars’ TE Brenton Strange: ‘He’ll elevate’
