JAX Tanner Koziol
NFL player. Position: TE. Team: JAX.
Quick Facts
- Position: TE
- Team: JAX (Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Draft: Round 5, 2026 NFL Draft
- College: Big 12 Conference (First-Team All-Big 12 in 2025)
2026 Outlook
Tanner Koziol was drafted in round 5 by Jacksonville and stands out as a towering receiving weapon at 6-6, 247 pounds. At his college, he produced 74 receptions for 727 yards and six touchdowns, earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors. At the Jaguars' first minicamp practice, he made the biggest play of the session—a leaping catch for a touchdown—showcasing his ability to use his size at the catch point. Jacksonville drafted multiple pass catchers, and Koziol is among the standouts making immediate impressions on the coaching staff. (per NFL Draft Rookies Who Are Suddenly Impossible to Ignore at OTAs)
In OTAs, Koziol reportedly opened eyes in practice despite missing early offseason programs with injury, outperforming first-round pick Nate Boerkircher in practice reps. The Jaguars appear intent on expanding tight end usage (12 and 13 personnel packages) similar to 2025 Rams and Steelers models, potentially creating opportunity for multiple TEs to score touchdowns. Koziol is positioned as a valuable third option behind Brenton Strange, capable of filling a receiving role in slot duty at his 6'7" frame. (per 2026 NFL season: What We Learned during final wave of minicamps)
Spring breakthrough (June 20): Koziol is generating more buzz than second-rounder Nate Boerkircher during the Jaguars' offseason program. Tight ends coach Richard Angulo praised Koziol as "a little bit more polished as a pass catcher," highlighting his "ball skills and his size and range" at 6-6, 247 pounds. The rookie is making an early case for opportunities in Liam Coen's offense, which is expected to feature multi-TE looks in 2026. (per Jaguars' Tanner Koziol: Building early momentum)
Jacksonville's 12/13 personnel package strategy is a defining storyline heading into training camp. The Jaguars selected both Koziol and Nate Boerkircher specifically to execute multi-tight-end packages — a scheme shift that will feature regularly in 2026 (per O-Zone: One name only).
Role / Depth Chart
Competing as a receiving weapon in Jacksonville's tight end room following the draft. Among the guaranteed three tight end roster spots entering training camp 2026, alongside Brenton Strange and Nate Boerkircher. His pass-catching prowess differentiates him in a crowded tight end room. (per Jaguars training camp battles: Evaluating back end of tight end depth chart)
Injury Status
Healthy.
Recent News
- 2026-06-22 — Ranking the NFL's biggest offseason losers: Patriots, Packers facing questions (Ranking the NFL's biggest offseason losers: Patriots, Packers facing questions)
- 2026-04-30 — Dynasty Fantasy Football Mailbag: Trade Up For Fernando Mendoza? (Dynasty Fantasy Football Mailbag: Trade Up For Fernando Mendoza?)
- 2026-06-02 — College football preseason top-25 rankings for 2026: Man vs. Machine - The Athletic (College football preseason top-25 rankings for 2026: Man vs. Machine - The Athletic)
- 2026-04-22 — 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Browns, Jets, and Cowboys steal value early as WR and... (7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Browns, Jets, and Cowboys steal value early as WR and...)
- 2026-02-18 — 2026 NFL combine: How pressing is the Detroit Lions’ need for tight end depth? (2026 NFL combine: How pressing is the Detroit Lions’ need for tight end depth?)
- 2026-04-15 — 2026 NFL draft: Just how big of a need is tight end for the Detroit Lions? (2026 NFL draft: Just how big of a need is tight end for the Detroit Lions?)
- 2026-06-18 — 2026 NFL season: What We Learned during final wave of minicamps (2026 NFL season: What We Learned during final wave of minicamps)
- 2026-06-11 — 2026 NFL minicamps: Teams, rookies, QBs we're watching (2026 NFL minicamps: Teams, rookies, QBs we're watching)
- 2026-06-10 — 2026 NFL minicamps: Teams, rookies, QBs we're watching (2026 NFL minicamps: Teams, rookies, QBs we're watching)
- 2026-06-17 — Beyond Round 1: 10 AFC rookies who could surprise NFL fans in 2026 (Beyond Round 1: 10 AFC rookies who could surprise NFL fans in 2026)