With offseason programs now behind us, the Jacksonville Jaguars will break for roughly the next five weeks, until the team reconvenes for training camp.
Ultimately, it is during training camp and in the preseason, when the intensity is turned up and the pads come on, that we will begin to get a much better idea of where positional battles stand and what the full 53-man roster could look like.
Admittedly, that can be difficult information to glean during OTAs and minicamp, when the pads aren’t on and the focus is on installs.
But nonetheless, there are still players who stand out during this time of the year, and we also get glimpses into potential rotations, along with seeing who is playing with the first, second, and third team units.
So, given what we know at this time, what might the Jaguars’ depth chart on the defensive side of the football look like?
If you missed our updated depth charts on offense, you can find that here.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive ends
Since the draft, the Jaguars have invested in bringing in experienced, veteran talent to the defensive end position, signing Ogbah, and more recently, Smoot and Gardeck. How the depth chart shakes out among those three still remains to be seen, but with Ogbah being in Jacksonville longer, I gave him the edge. I have Smoot ahead of Gardeck, who may fill a more specialized role. Hines-Allen and Walker will lead the way here, but at a heavily rotated position, where oftentimes four or five players see regular snaps, depth is vital.
Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive tackles
The Jaguars need improved play from this unit, in particular, this season. After GM James Gladstone didn’t make any additions to the tackle position this offseason, that clearly shows the confidence he has in this group. Potentially contributing to that improved play will be having Armstead inside, along with Anthony Campanile’s scheme, where there will be more movement up front and a more attacking play style.
Jacksonville Jaguars linebackers
With Campanile’s coaching background being at the linebacker position, there may not be a unit on this defense that benefits more from his presence than this group. As we saw last year in Green Bay, the play of that linebacker unit was very much elevated with Campanile’s presence. When it comes to the linebacker spot and determining the depth chart, once training camp arrives, keep your eyes on special teams snaps. This is a special teams-heavy position, and contributions there can help us determine where things stand on the middle and back end of the depth chart.
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerbacks
Who will be starting opposite of Tyson Campbell? That’s the big question at the cornerback spot right now, and competing for that playing time are Jones, Hunter, and Brown. While there will be a starter on paper, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a bit of a rotation there that is matchup specific. Then, if the Jaguars are going to keep six cornerbacks, Prince, Braswell, Muhammad, and others are potentially competing for just one roster spot.
Jacksonville Jaguars safeties
Eric Murray is at the top of this depth chart, as we know, but when it comes to who will be starting alongside of him, you might as well have a T2 on the depth chart right now, followed by Savage, Wingard, Ransaw, and Johnson. Campanile spoke about the competition at safety during minicamp and mentioned all four of those players. It’s very difficult to know where things stand at this position.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jacksonville Jaguars updated position-by-position depth chart on defense after minicamp
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire / Jaguars Wire
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