2023 NFL Combine: 5 Tight Ends For the Jaguars to Watch

From Michael Mayer to Darnell Washington to Day 3 options, which tight ends are worth tracking at the combine?

The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off next week, bringing the 2023 draft class fully into focus for all 32 teams.

With general managers and coaches set to speak on Tuesday and Wednesday and players kicking off workouts on Wednesday, the week of athletic testing and evaluations is set to fully come into view.

With the combine now ready to set the stage before free agency and the draft, we take a look at players worth monitoring for Jaguars' purposes. Whether it be players who are options at No. 24 or players who make sense elsewhere in the draft, we will pick out five players at each position who should be watched closely next week.

2023 NFL Combine: 5 Cornerbacks For the Jaguars to Watch

Next up: tight ends. 

Michael Mayer, Notre Dame 

The top tight end prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft class, Notre Dame's Michael Mayer could be a reasonable option for the Jaguars at No. 24 overall even before the combine. If he puts up big numbers in Indianapolis, however? His stock will only soar, perhaps getting into T.J. Hockenson range. Mayer isn't a burner by any means, but he still has a very real chance of impressing in terms of weight-adjusted numbers in other drills considering the way he moves on the football field. 

For Mayer to justify selection at No. 24, it would be more than helpful for him to have a RAS around the range of other top tight ends in recent seasons. With Evan Engram likely to re-sign soon, no tight end makes more sense fo the Jaguars than Mayer -- something that could be vindicated further in Indianapolis. 

Average RAS of the first TE drafted in the last 4 drafts is 8.96. Looking for a number in that ball-park for Mayer to really justify him at No. 24 pic.twitter.com/VUPUiMezKV

— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) February 24, 2023

Darnell Washington, Georgia 

In terms of pure athleticism, there probably isn't a more exciting tight end in this class than Georgia's Darnell Washington. The 6-foot-7, 260-pound goliath looks like a freight train in shoulder pads when he has the ball in space and he can be the most versatile and impactful blocker in the class. He may not post any record-breaking numbers, but considering his massive frame and size, he is expected to put up some eye-popping weight-adjusted results.

If the Jaguars want a pure, direct replacement for Chris Manhertz who they can slowly develop as a pass-catcher, then Washington makes a lot of sense. He isn't ready to make the Day 1 impact that some of the other tight ends are in terms of pass-catching, but putting up some freak-like athletic testing numbers could go a long way toward justifying taking a bet on his potential. 

Sam LaPorta, Iowa 

A productive pass-catcher who hails from the land of blocking tight ends, Sam LaPorta is an interesting member of this year's tight end class. He has legitimate speed down the middle of the field and the looks of a player who can flex out and play in the slot, and whether he actually tests like a dangerous pass-catcher will determine where he is ultimately drafted. 

For Jaguars' purposes, it will be interesting to see just how much LaPorta weighs and if he an F-tight end or a mix between the two positions like Luke Farrell was last season. LaPorta is a stronger pass-catcher than blocker at this point in his development, but coming to Indianapolis with a big frame and putting up some strong explosion numbers would boost his stock a great deal.

Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan 

One of the more interesting tight end prospects in this year's class is Michigan's Luke Schoonmaker. Schoonmaker doesn't have the passing production of many other tight ends in this year's group, but he does have the play-style and traits to develop into a tight end who can help at both the Y- and F-tight end positions. While he looks more like a depth piece at this point, a big week at the combine could go a long way. 

Schoonmaker is a natural route-runner and pass-catcher and glides with the ball in his hands, so it should be expected for him to put up some impressive testing numbers next week. He could even find himself to be a third-round option if all goes right, which could be a pick the Jaguars could justify, even with Evan Engram likely to return.

Noah Gindorff, North Dakota State

One of the biggest tight ends in the class at 6-foot-6, 266 pounds, Noah Gindorff could be an interesting Day 3 option for the Jaguars if they want to add to their depth chart at the Y-tight end position. The Jaguars currently have Luke Farrell leading the charge at that position, but with Chris Manhertz set to be a free agent on March 15, the Jaguars could use a cheap, young blocking tight end.

That is where Gindorff would come into play. The Jaguars are unlikely to select any tight end who isn't at least a plus-athlete though, even if he is just a blocker. For Gindorff to be an appealing option with one of their late-round picks, he will need to impress at Lucas Oil Stadium.