The Jacksonville Jaguars are buzzing with anticipation, and a lot of that excitement is centered around their promising third-year tight end, Brenton Strange. The enthusiasm about Strange isn't confined to the coaching staff and front office anymore; it's permeated the locker room. Veteran defensive lineman Arik Armstead didn't hold back when he took to social media to declare that Strange is on track to become a top-5 tight end this season.
Stepping into the spotlight as the Jaguars' starting tight end, Strange is ready to prove himself after filling in admirably for the injured Evan Engram last season. Drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Strange’s rookie year was relatively quiet due to limited playtime. However, he seized the opportunity last season, showing flashes of brilliance and positioning himself as a potential successor to Engram.
Under the new leadership of head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone, Strange has consistently earned high praise. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is also a big fan, commenting on how Strange’s work ethic and training have prepared him for a breakout role.
During an interview in April, Lawrence said, “Brenton is beyond ready, just the way he practices, the way he works. I think I do give a lot of credit to Evan.
Brenton’s naturally a hard worker, but having Evan to look up to has been invaluable. Evan's dedication – being out there early, staying late, putting in the extra time – set a great example, and Brenton has followed suit."
Lawrence went on to highlight one of the most impressive aspects of Strange's game: his versatility. “He's a great blocker who's nasty and physical, and he enjoys it. And when he has the ball, he’s such a weapon – he breaks tackles, he can run, has great hands, and brings a physical presence.”
In terms of performance, Strange has steadily built his case over 31 games with the Jaguars. He has accumulated 45 receptions for 446 receiving yards with three touchdowns. Last season alone, Strange made significant strides with 40 receptions for 411 receiving yards, placing him second on the team in receiving yards behind Thomas Jr.
As the new season approaches, all eyes are on Brenton Strange, who looks set to make a major impact and fully capitalize on the opportunity to step into the limelight. It's a compelling storyline for the Jaguars as they look to leverage Strange’s talents to boost their offensive game – and it certainly seems like his teammates and coaches have every reason to be optimistic.
