Jacksonville takes Penn State’s former tight end in the second round

With the 61st pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars have selected TE Brenton Strange. The team traded pick no. 56 to Chicago Bears for 61 and fourth-rounder no. 135.

This was an underwhelming selection following a great first night by Trent Baalke. The Jaguars could’ve stayed at 56th overall and drafted a better tight end prospect in Michigan’s Luke Schoonmaker, or even traded up in the second round with all of its draft capital.

Instead, Jacksonville traded back and selected Strange, whose profile projects as a Day 3 pick. Expert and public mock drafts both projected Strange as a fifth-round prospect.

• Prospect name: Brenton Strange
• Hometown: Parkersburg, WV
• Position: Tight end
• School: Penn State
• Year: redshirt junior
• Age at draft: 22.3
• Height: 6’ 3” (26%)
• Weight: 253 lbs (52%)
• Hand Size: 9 5/8” (34%)
• Arm Length: 31 1/8” (3%)

Percentiles via MockDraftable

Scouting report from Derrik Klassen of Bleacher Report:

Strange can be a viable TE2 out of the gate with the potential to grow into more down the line. His blend of size, speed, and explosion is enticing, and his blocking skills translate to being able to play both in-line and as a wing/H. The hope is that a couple years of NFL coaching can level-up Strange’s route-running and contested catch ability.

Player summary from Dane Brugler of The Athletic:

A two-year starter at Oklahoma, Harrison lined up at left tackle in offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s up-tempo, RPO-based scheme. He became a starter as a sophomore and developed into one of the better left tackles at the college level. Harrison not only displays the slide quickness to mirror speed, but he also times his body movements appropriately based on the pass rusher he is facing. While he has the active hands to divert pass rushers, his technique and strength must improve to consistently control his target.

Overall, Harrison isn’t a simple evaluation because of the Sooners’ scheme, but he has the movement patterns of a much smaller player and generally recovers well thanks to his athleticism and length. Although there will be a learning curve, he has the tools to become a long-term NFL starter.

Last word from Max Nuscher of Sports Info Solutions:

Brenton Strange projects as a backup H-tight end because of his hands and run after catch skills. He has a smooth and quick release that allows him to get into his routes cleanly. He is a great athlete at his size, making defenders miss by breaking tackles or just being faster than he looks to force defenders into taking bad angles. However, he needs to get stronger if he wants to be a complete backup tight end. He doesn’t generate movement in the run game as a blocker, but he also doesn’t allow himself to get pushed back either. On 3rd downs, he will be best utilized in the slot where he can use his speed against linebackers or post-up smaller DBs to move the chains. As a special teamer, Strange has the athleticism and toughness to be a contributor on most units.

Prospect overview from Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:

H-back option with a compact frame and a nice blend of athleticism and toughness to fuel his game. Strange gets after it as a lead blocker, in-line or in space. There are technique issues that need to be ironed out, but the demeanor and play strength are where they need to be to succeed. While his catch production is pedestrian, he’s athletic in his routes and is an above-average runner after the catch. In a draft filled with high-quality tight end talent, Strange could fly under the radar as a future starter with the potential to operate as a hybrid, three-down talent.