2023 Analysis with John Oehser and Bucky Brooks

JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser and Jaguars analyst Bucky Brooks examine the Jaguars’ tight ends in this position-by-position look at the ’23 offseason:

Position coaches: Richard Angulo.

• TE Chris Manhertz (11)
• TE Evan Engram (14)

• Dan Arnold
• Luke Farrell
• Gerrit Prince

2022 at a glance: This position in a statistical sense largely was about Engram, who joined the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent in the 2022 offseason then turned a one-year contract into a career season – and one of the best seasons for a tight end in franchise history. Engram, who played his first five NFL seasons with the New York Giants caught 73 passes in 2022 for 766 yards and four touchdowns, emerging as a key part of an offense that improved from last in the NFL in scoring in 2021 to 10th in 2022. Arnold played in all regular-season and postseason games, catching nine passes for 135 yards. Manhertz in his second season with the Jaguars continued to be a strong presence in the running game, also catching six passes for 42 yards. Farrell in his second NFL season also played in all games, catching four passes for 40 yards. This was a remarkably healthy season for this group, with all four tight ends active for all regular season and postseason games.

Offseason storyline: The storyline here revolves first around Engram, who signed a one-year “prove-it” deal as a UFA in the 2022 offseason. He absolutely “proved it,” becoming a go-to target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence and improving as the playoffs approached. Engram was originally scheduled to become UFA again on the March 15 start of the 2023 League Year, but the team placed the NFL’s franchise tag on him on March 6. He and the team could still reach a long-term agreement, and they have until July 15 to do so. If Engram plays under the franchise tag, he will play for a one-year contract worth $11.35 million. Manhertz, who never missed a game in two seasons with the team, signed as an unrestricted free agent with…