JACKSONVILLE – This was about getting better, and having options.
Liam Coen likes how the Jaguars addressed one of the NFL's notable offseason trends – tight end – during the recent 2026 NFL Draft, and the Jaguars' head coach discussed that topic this past weekend during the team's '26 rookie minicamp.
The idea was to strengthen a strength, which Coen says the Jaguars did.
"I think we got two really good ones," Coen said Saturday.
The Jaguars late last month selected two tight ends in the same draft for the first time in franchise history – Nate Boerkircher of Texas A&M in Round 2 and Tanner Koziol of Houston in Round 5. They were among 27 Jaguars rookies – 10 draft selections, 17 undrafted free agents – participating in minicamp.
All rookies begin working with Jaguars veterans Monday as the '26 offseason program continues at the Miller Electric Center.
"I'm super excited," Boerkircher said. "I'm just ready to go learn."
Boerkircher and Koziol give the Jaguars six tight ends, along with starter Brenton Strange, veteran Quintin Morris, veteran Hunter Long and first-year veteran Patrick Herbert. The Jaguars, like multiple NFL teams, addressed tight end in this year's draft to have the option of playing more multiple-tight end packages moving forward.
Coen said tight end was "definitely up there" in terms of his draft priorities.
"I was really excited about this draft class of tight ends," he said. "I think there were a lot of really good ones."
Coen, too, said he liked not only what Boerkircher and Koziol bring, "but also what it then allows the other guys to do, like what that allows Strange to do differently or more frequently, whether that's running or blocking or catching."
"The diversity of skill sets is important," Coen said. "They're different enough but also wired similarly. That's what is fun about it, it allows not only those guys to go help us in their own skill sets, but also maybe help other guys in their skill sets just by adding that depth and competition."
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The Jaguars played much of the 2025 season with essentially four tight ends – Strange, Long, Morris and Johnny Mundt – with Herbert on the practice squad much of the season. Three of their four regular-season losses came during a five-game stretch Strange missed with a quad injury sustained in a Week 5 Monday Night Football victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
"We had two [tight ends] active for three, four games," Coen said. "That's just not a world I want to live in and what it limits you. I really appreciate [offensive lineman] Chuma [Edoga] and [offensive lineman] Cole [Van Lanen] for [playing in big personnel packages], but you limit what you can do."
Coen on Saturday also discussed the advantages of playing two or three tight ends. These are known as "12 and 13" packages, with many teams moving forward expected to follow the lead of the Los Angeles Rams, who had notable success with such personnel groupings last season.
"If your tight ends have the ability to spread out and do different things in the pass game, you can present 13-personnel pictures or even 12," Coen said. "I like 12 a lot personally, but you can also present 11-personnel pictures, 10-personnel pictures, spread open, empty formations.
"Now you're just challenging the defense in base defense to have a lot more calls. You have to have a lot more checks, a lot more adjustments. I believe that there is going to be an uptick probably in the NFL next year in heavier personnel groupings.
"I'm not sure we're going to over-rotate to a point where we want to get slower or less explosive. We still have some pretty damn good wideouts that I like to use, so I just think it'll be interesting to see the trends."
Check out the top photos from the first day of Jaguars rookie minicamp in preparation for the 2026 NFL season.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Nate Boerkircher (87) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Joey Aguilar (17) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Michael Wortham (0) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Trebor Peña (86) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Joey Aguilar (17) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brady Boyd (49) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Jimto Obidegwu (62) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon (75) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight ends coach Richard Angulo during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Devin Neal (36) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Preston Hodge (26) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive back Jalen Huskey (22) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive back Jalen Huskey (22) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Parker Hughes (53) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Parker Hughes (53) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver CJ Williams (18) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Nate Boerkircher (87) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Nate Boerkircher (87) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Tanner Koziol (89) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Tanner Koziol (89) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Parker Hughes (53) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Preston Hodge (26) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Devon Marshall (40) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive back Jalen Huskey (22) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Joey Aguilar (17) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Derek Robertson (6) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Derek Robertson (6) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver CJ Williams (18) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver CJ Williams (18) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Alex Bullock (45) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Alex Bullock (45) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Ben Patterson (83) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Ben Patterson (83) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Trebor Peña (86) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back J'Mari Taylor (30) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman T.J. Bollers (94) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Albert Regis (98) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Ben Patterson (83) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio (74) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Albert Regis (98) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Wesley Williams (90) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Albert Regis (98) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon (75) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon (75) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Nate Boerkircher (87) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Nate Boerkircher (87) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Tanner Koziol (89) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. (57) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Devin Neal (36) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Jalen Huskey (22) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Preston Hodge (26) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Quindarius Dunnigan (59) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. (57) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Quindarius Dunnigan (59) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars chief football strategy officer Tony Khan, executive vice president of football operations Tony Boselli, head coach Liam Coen, and general manager James Gladstone during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Liam Coen (center) and the 2026 rookie class during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars strength staff during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Joey Aguilar (left) and wide receiver Michael Wortham (right) during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive back Jalen Huskey during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Albert Regis during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Devon Marshall during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman T.J. Bollers during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Michael Wortham during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Tanner Koziol during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — An image from rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars strength staff during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Trebor Peña during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Alex Bullock during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Quindarius Dunnigan during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman T.J. Bollers during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Albert Regis during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Ethan Conner during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Quindarius Dunnigan during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Albert Regis during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Wesley Williams during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Devon Marshall during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — An image from rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brady Boyd during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Parker Hughes during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Ethan Conner during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. during rookie minicamp at the Miller Electric Center on May 8, 2026.
QUOTABLE
- Coen on the growing number of young NFL players who have transferred schools in college: "It's just life now. It's pretty normal now. It's weird for us because you do have to figure out why. Why are they moving from school to school? Typically, we like to see the guys that have maybe ascended throughout their transfers and they're going to maybe go play in better competition or what they deem is putting them in a position to be successful and leveling up. [General Manager] James Gladstone] has said that a number of times and I think that's something that a lot of these guys have done that that we ended up bringing in here. But the transfer world … we're living it, man."
QUOTABLE
- Boerkircher on his first impressions of Coen's offense: "There are a lot of options. The one thing that's great about it is everything correlates. Everything makes sense. That makes it easier to go out and execute. You can think through it a lot more clearly. It correlates and makes sense."
