How do the Jacksonville Jaguars’ skill position players–wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs–compare to the rest of the NFL?
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently set out to rank each skill position unit ahead of the 2025 NFL season. In putting together these rankings, Barnwell focused on a few key factors when it came to making decisions:
- This is only about 2025 performance.
- Injury histories do matter.
- Wide receivers are weighted more heavily than running backs and tight ends.
- Barnwell’s focus is on elite players and the team’s top five contributors.
So, where did the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ skill position players land in these rankings?
The Jaguars came in at No. 18 overall. In 2024, they were 16th, and in 2023, they ranked ninth.
Of course, leading the way here for the Jaguars is Brian Thomas Jr., who totaled the third-most regular season receiving yards in the NFL as a rookie. Around him at wideout, GM James Gladstone added a lot more speed by signing Dyami Brown and drafting Travis Hunter. These new additions can hopefully take some of the attention off Thomas.
“Despite inconsistent quarterback play and an offense that never seemed to get right around him, he immediately stood out as a problem for opposing defenses,” Barnwell said of Thomas. “Few receivers of any vintage make things look as easy as he did, as he effortlessly glided away from defenders and snatched wayward passes out of the air. He’s already a legitimate No. 1 wideout.”
But also helping to elevate the play of this unit will be Coen’s system, which is predicated on multiplicity–or throwing a variety of looks at opponents. From the receiver position, this means being able to line up across the formation and being able to attack all levels of the field while doing so in a number of different ways.
What about the Jaguars’ tight ends and running backs?
At tight end, the Jaguars are extremely bullish on Brenton Strange, who brings a well-rounded skill set to the position. When a tight end is versatile, can make plays in the passing game, and hold his own as a blocker, it adds a layer of unpredictability to the offense, with that player able to fill so many roles.
Now at the top of the Jaguars’ tight end depth chart, Strange will be in store for more opportunities, but also operating within Coen’s offense should lead to a lot more targets as well. Last season, with Tampa Bay, Cade Otton had the ninth-most targets among tight ends.
Lastly, at running back, there are unknowns, but the Jaguars do have options. Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, and Bhayshul Tuten will all be vying for playing time. I fully expect each to have a role, but how those snaps at opportunities shake out remains to be seen.
Having a strong running game in Coen’s scheme is a must. For one, it keeps the offense out of predictable passing situations. But in addition to that, this is a system where the run game and pass game concepts build off each other, which enhances that multiplicity element.
“Coen was able to land on the right runner (Bucky Irving) in a three-headed backfield for the Bucs last season,” Barnwell wrote, “and he’ll need to do the same thing in Jacksonville, where 2021 first-rounder Travis Etienne Jr. hasn’t lived up to expectations and Tank Bigsby hasn’t been able to hold onto the football, with six fumbles on 226 touches. Could Coen get the most out of Bhayshul Tuten, another rookie fourth-rounder?”
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars’ WR, TE, RB combo ranked middle of the pack in 2025