The Jacksonville Jaguars added another target on offense on Thursday when the team announced it had signed free agent Austin Seferian-Jenkins to a contract. Per the team’s public relations department,
Seferian-Jenkins, 25, spent the last two seasons with the New York Jets after beginning his career in Tampa Bay in 2014. During his five-year career, the Fox Island, Wash. native has tallied 105 receptions for 1,070 yards (10.2 avg.) and 10 TDs. In 2017, he posted career-high numbers in receptions (50) and receiving yards (357), in addition to catching three TDs. Prior to joining the Jets in 2016, Seferian-Jenkins played in 18 games with 12 starts over three seasons in Tampa Bay. As a Buccaneer, he totaled 45 receptions for 603 yards and seven TDs, highlighted by his four-TD season in 2015.
The tight end position is one the Jaguars needed to add to, even with the one-year deal given to veteran Marcedes Lewis and the exclusive rights designation for Ben Koyack. The Jaguars lack of productivity from this unit still makes it possible the Jacksonville Jaguars will address the need in the NFL Draft. Mark Andrews of Oklahoma, Hayden Hurst of South Carolina and Dallas Goedert of South Dakota State could all be available when the team picks 29th overall.
“I’m really thankful for the opportunity the Jacksonville Jaguars have given me to come here and compete with an already great team,” said Seferian-Jenkins. “It’s an already great offense and an already great defense and already great coaches with a pedigree to win, with a culture of winning. I really feel very fortunate and thankful I have the opportunity to come here and play football.”
Seferian-Jenkins provides yet another tall target for quarterback Blake Bortles. Seferian-Jenkins, 6-5, 262, started in 35 of 38 games for the University of Washington, including each of the last 28 games he played, totaling 146 receptions for 1,840 yards (12.6 avg.) and 21 TDs. When he graduated, he ranked fourth in school history in receptions (146) and receiving TDs (21), while ranking eighth in receiving yards (1,840), the highest marks ever by a UW tight end. As a junior in 2012, Seferian-Jenkins won the Mackey Award, given annually to the nation’s top tight end.
Lewis led the Jacksonville Jaguars in touchdown catches last season with five.