Jacksonville Jaguars: 5 offseason needs

Tight End

Another way that the Jaguars can really expand their offense heading into 2018 is to bring in another tight end. Yes, veteran Marcedes Lewis is a lifer in the Jaguars organization, but he has been more of a blocking tight end that a receiving tight end for some time. Adding a tight end in either the draft or free agency only gives offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett more flexibility in the passing game.

Bortles looked more comfortable as the season progressed in his reads in targeting tight ends, fullbacks and h-backs. His fullback touchdown pass in the AFC Wild Card game versus the Buffalo Bills was the difference in that slog of a football game. In essence, giving Bortles another security blanket in the passing game only aids in his growth as a passer and adds versatility in the Jacksonville offense.

Bortles has shown over the years that he’s not afraid of making the big-time throw downfield. However, he has at times been reluctant to downright awful when it comes to the short-to-intermediate passing game. While the Julius Thomas experiment was a complete failure, now is the time for the Jaguars to try bringing in another tight end receiving target for Bortles to work with.

Keep in mind that was the Greg Olson offense and not Hackett’s play calling during the awful first-half of Bortles’ 2016 season. Jacksonville has a good coaching staff all the way around. Surely, Marrone and Hackett will be able to best feature a new pass catcher at tight end this offseason. Whether that player comes to the Jaguars in the draft or free agency remains to be seen.