2026 NFL Draft: Why the Jaguars picked Texas A&M TE Nate Boerkircher

COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 08: Texas A&M Aggies tight end Nate Boerkircher (87) before an SEC football game between the Texas A&M Aggies and Missouri Tigers on November 8, 2025 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Nate Boerkircher with their first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. Shocker!

To help fill in fans on the surprise selection, we heard from two key members of the Jaguars’ brass in quick interviews with team reporter Kainani Stevens. “We certainly engaged in dialogue with other clubs surrounding what paths might exist,” said general manager James Gladstone. “Ultimately, we were jacked to end up with a player that we all have a ton of appreciation for, knowing that as we look forward to the next evolution of the Jacksonville Jaguars and our team in 2026, it’s going to involve heavier tight end groupings that can tap into the current trend in the NFL, and Nate offers that.

"Ultimately, we were jacked to end up with a player that we all have a ton of appreciation for… It's going to involve heavier tight end groupings that can tap into the current trend in the NFL and Nate offers that. " @farahandfarah | #NFLDraft pic. twitter.

com/2FdEZUlFtB — Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) April 25, 2026 “He brings a lot really in all phases of the game,” said offensive coordinator Grant Udinski. “Before you even talk about what he does on the field, you talk about the guy off the field, and he’s really our type of guy, with the way he approaches football, approaches preparation. “On the field, he’ll probably be labeled a little bit as a blocker because of his production at A&M, but I think he’s more than that and has capabilities to continue to grow in our offense and then unlock some of what Brenton and some of our other tight ends and receivers can do in the pass game as well.