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T.J. Hockenson among non-QBs Jaguars should watch at combine

Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson, a Mackey Award winner, has been billed by some as the next Rob Gronkowski. Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The NFL scouting combine begins Tuesday and the Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to spend a lot of time with the quarterbacks, especially Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins.

But the team certainly has other positions of need -- offensive line, tight end, receiver, running back -- and there are plenty of players to watch there, too. Here are some players the Jaguars should target in addition to the quarterbacks:

TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa

He’s regarded as the most complete tight end in the draft and draft analysts have said he’s similar to New England’s Rob Gronkowski in that regard. Hockenson caught 73 passes for 1,080 yards and nine TDs in total over the past two seasons at Iowa while lining up inside and outside. Tom Coughlin likes bigger tight ends who can block, and though Hockenson isn’t that big at 250 pounds, he did show at Iowa that he’s a quality blocker. The Jaguars need major help at this position and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them sign a free agent and still make this position a priority. Kiper had Hockenson going eighth to Detroit in his latest mock draft, so one pick higher isn’t a reach.

RB Elijah Holyfield, Georgia

Don’t punish Holyfield for only producing in one season at Georgia. He was behind Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and D’Andre Swift on the depth chart in 2016 and 2017. He shined last year (1,108 yards and 7 TDs) and averaged 6.2 yards per carry in his career. Holyfield (5-foot-11, 215 pounds) isn’t as big as Todd Gurley II (6-1, 224) or Chubb (5-11, 227), but he is a physical runner who would be a good complement to Leonard Fournette. The Jaguars might not address running backs until the middle of the draft, and if the son of former heavyweight boxing champ Evander Holyfield is available, why not take a shot that he’s going to continue the string of Bulldogs backs excelling in the NFL?

G/C Michael Jordan, Ohio State

The right side of the offensive line needs to get better if the Jaguars are going to be the power-run team they want to be. Jordan played both positions with the Buckeyes, and that flexibility is important because Jaguars center Brandon Linder has never played a full season and has missed 27 of 80 games because of injuries since he was drafted in 2014. Jordan (6-7, 312 pounds), who is projected to be a second-day pick (second and third rounds), could step in as the starter at right guard.

WR Hunter Renfrow, Clemson

Dede Westbrook made significant strides last season and by November was the only offensive weapon the Jaguars had. He’s an explosive playmaker who can make plays down the field as well as take a short pass and go. Marqise Lee is coming off a serious knee injury and there are questions about how effective he will be, but if he’s healthy, he’s the team’s No. 1 receiver. After those two, however, the Jaguars don’t have much. Keelan Cole didn’t progress from his rookie season, doesn’t have good hands and got benched after dropping five passes and losing two fumbles in October. Second-round pick DJ Chark, whom the Jaguars said they graded a first-round talent, caught 14 passes and made more impact as a gunner on special teams as a rookie. He has issues with his hands, too. So it’s pretty clear the Jaguars need another dependable receiver and there might not be a receiver in the draft who fits that description better than Renfrow. He caught 186 passes for 2,133 yards and 15 touchdowns in four seasons at Clemson, including 42 catches for 437 yards and five TDs in eight playoff games. He more than held his own at the Senior Bowl, too. He’s a polished player who could be an effective slot receiver, which would allow the Jaguars more flexibility with Westbrook.

OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida

Taylor (6-5, 328 pounds) isn’t going to participate in the timed drills and long and broad jumps because of a hamstring injury, but he should be able to be measured and do the bench press. Taylor started 35 games at UF (33 at right tackle) and the Gators gave up only 18 sacks in 2018. He and Alabama’s Jonah Williams are regarded as the two best offensive tackles in the draft. Mel Kiper had Taylor being picked by the Jaguars in his second mock draft, and it makes a lot of sense. There is certainly a need at right tackle even if the Jaguars do decide to hold onto Jermey Parnell (who turns 33 in July) for another season. The Jaguars selected Will Richardson in the fourth round last year, but he was a long way from competing for a spot and ended up on injured reserve. Even if Parnell does start in 2019, he’s battled knee issues the last several seasons and Taylor should be an upgrade over Josh Wells and Ereck Flowers (if they’re re-signed).