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Jacksonville Jaguars veteran makes a bold prediction for a young player on the roster to take a giant step forward this season

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Destin Adams | Last updated May 29, 2025 12:15 PM ET

The Jacksonville Jaguars went through tremendous change this offseason. A brand new front office is in charge behind the scenes, and a new coaching staff has the reins on the field.

This led to some significant roster changes as well, one of which has a young player on the roster set to be a full-time starter for the first time. But that isn't stopping Jaguars veteran DT Arik Armstead from making a bold prediction for TE Brenton Strange's upcoming season.

Brenton Strange will be a top 5 TE this year !
— Arik Armstead (@arikarmstead) May 29, 2025

Arik Armstead thinks Brenton Strange will be a top 5 TE in the NFL this season

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

The Jaguars decided to part ways with multi-year starter Evan Engram this offseason. This move created some cap for the team, but it also opened up a bigger role for Strange, who had some really impressive flashes last season. This allowed him to easily set his new career highs with 40 receptions, 411 yards, and two touchdowns.

Armstead seems to think Strange is going to destroy those numbers in 2025 by saying he will be a top-five TE in the NFL this season. Which means he thinks a maximum of four of the players below will outproduce Strange this season.

Travis Kelce
George Kittle
Brock Bowers
Sam LaPorta
Trey McBribe
TJ Hockenson
Mark Andrews

Looking at last year, the fifth-most receiving yards at the TE position came from Travis Kelce on the Kansas City Chiefs, who finished the season with 823 yards, and it took him 97 catches to get there. That's more than double Strange's career receptions total of 45. I think Strange showed last season he has the talent to take a giant leap this season, but I don't think he ends up getting the volume that would allow him to finish as a top-five TE. Brian Thomas Jr. is entering year two after a monster rookie season, and the team traded up to select two-way phenom Travis Hunter, who will also have a big role this year.

It is clear, though, that Strange is impressing in the early stages of OTAs. And he has caught the attention of Armstead on the defensive side of the ball. Armstead watched an elite TE work during his time with the San Francisco 49ers in George Kittle. Perhaps he notices some similarities after practicing against both players. Hopefully, he can build on whatever success he is already having and have the best training camp of his career later this summer. If he does, maybe he does become one of Trevor Lawrence's top targets this year and takes a giant step forward, which would be a massive win for the Jaguars.