With OTAs beginning for the Jacksonville Jaguars, there is always plenty worth watching, including a few members of the undrafted free agent class.
In this third phase of offseason programs, contact is not allowed, but the competition can ramp up with team periods taking place. This provides the UDFAs their first true on-field opportunity to begin pushing for a roster spot.
While a roster spot won’t be earned strictly on what takes place during OTAs, the foundation for that push can be established at this time of the year, prior to training camp beginning in July.
As these practices take place in the coming weeks, here are three Jaguars’ undrafted rookies I’ll be watching closely.
RB J’Mari Taylor
Playing in the ACC last season, Taylor rushed for 1,064 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt with 14 rushing touchdowns. Contributing to Taylor’s success on the ground was that he was quite difficult to bring down, ranking 38th in average yards after contact and tied for 18th in missed tackles forced, per PFF.
To go along with his production in the run game, Taylor was also fairly active in the passing game. His 54 targets last season were tied for the fourth-most among running backs.
The top of the Jaguars’ running back depth chart seems to be set with Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez, and LeQuint Allen, but Jacksonville did roster four running backs for a large portion of the 2025 season.
DL Jalen Hunt
Although listed at 315 pounds, Hunt was a versatile member of the Cincinnati defensive front, playing 284 snaps at defensive end, along with 132 snaps from the interior. Hunt recorded a career-high 22 pressures and three sacks in 2025, along with being one of PFF’s top run defenders.
Between Arik Armstead, DaVon Hamilton, Ruke Orhorhoro, and Albert Regis, four roster spots are accounted for. However, Matt Dickerson doesn’t quite fall into the roster lock category, and if the Jaguars keep six defensive tackles, that roster spot is very much up for grabs.
CB Devon Marshall
Throughout his career, Marshall has been stingy in coverage, allowing a completion rate of just 49%, according to PFF. He’s also had excellent ball production, generating four interceptions and 20 pass breakups over the last two seasons.
What we know right now at the cornerback position is that Travis Hunter, Jourdan Lewis, Montaric Brown, and Jarrian Jones make up the top four spots on the depth chart. That leaves one to two roster spots up for grabs. Christian Braswell is the likely favorite for that fifth spot on the depth chart, but he is not a roster lock, and if the Jaguars keep six cornerbacks, that roster spot is wide open.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 3 Jaguars’ undrafted rookies who can begin roster push during OTAs
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire / Jaguars Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
