Josiah Deguara is set to join a new team after playing out his rookie contract. The veteran tight end has agreed to a one-year deal with the Jaguars, per Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The move is now official.
Deguara was limited to two games in his rookie season due to an ACL tear, but he has remained mostly healthy. He played in 16, 17 and 15 contests across the past three seasons, occupying a rotational role. The 27-year-old was among several members of Green Bay’s youth movement in recent seasons at the pass-catching spots, but he did not establish himself as a starter.
Deguara’s best campaign came in 2021 when he recorded 245 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 25 receptions. However, he made 21 scoreless catches in the two subsequent years, seeing a decreasing offensive role during that time. The former third-rounder was primarily used on special teams in 2022 and ’23 while the Packers turned to Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft at the tight end spot last year.
That pair will remain in place for Green Bay for years, so Deguara’s departure is a little surprise. The latter will aim to carve out a depth role in Jacksonville, a team with Evan Engram as its primary pass-catching tight end. Engram had a successful one-year audition period with the Jaguars, and he parlayed that into the franchise tag and, ultimately, a three-year, $41.25M extension last offseason.
Deguara could contribute as a blocker to complement Engram with the Jaguars. The Cincinnati alum will also be able to provide special teams play, particularly if he cannot generate significant usage in the passing game. A successful run in Duval County could help his free agent stock ahead of the 2025 offseason.
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