(08-23-2023, 08:22 AM)ATLjag Wrote: "That position, we talk about versatility. It's a position that can line up in the backfield, it can line up as a tight end. It could be a third tight end. They play special teams. It's a position that you can do multiple things with. And it's something that having a guy on the roster that can play those positions just opens up your offense just a little bit more." -Pederson (after taking Parish in the draft)

Baalke just after the draft mentioned that in San Francisco, they had drafted Bruce Miller, a 7th round pick converted to FB from college DE at UCF.  Miller played about 5 years for the 49ers in both FB and ST roles.  Baalke also understood Parish had never played FB and would need time...
"They're similar in size. Derek is even a little faster. But again that's a work in progress. We've got to get him in here and see how he adjusts to that position. And the key thing for him, like it is for a lot of these guys, is what are they going to do on special teams?"

The above was from a John Shipley article on why the Jags drafted Parish and a FB.  I think the organization understood that he would be a work in progress, and a practice squad spot (1 of 16) is a definite possibility.