JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars surprised a lot of people with their first selection of the 2026 NFL Draft, but is becoming clearer why they operated in such a manner.

The Jaguars selected Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher at No. 56 overall, a pick that has since been widely panned because many had him evaluated as a Day 3 prospect due to a mix of his age and his lack of college production.

Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies tight end Nate Boerkircher (87) lines up during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

But in the days since the Jaguars selected Boerkircher, the Jaguars' brass has made it clear why they made him such an early focus.…