The Jacksonville Jaguars are close to the first preseason game of the year.
The team has completed its first few blocks of training camp practices and can now turn its attention to the New Orleans Saints for their joint practice and game later this week. We’ve had several observations since camp began, with more knowledge gained by the practice.
Ultimately, the best way to gauge how good or bad the team will be is through outside competition. They’ll get that opportunity this week.
“We’ll do New Orleans, which I think will be a great opportunity for us to go against another quality opponent, hit against somebody else,” head coach Liam Coen said.
Ahead of the first preseason game, let’s take a look at another 53-man roster projection:
Jaguars potential 53-man roster ahead of Preseason Week 1
Notes:
Quarterback (2)
Projected on roster: Trevor Lawrence, Nick Mullens
Cuts: Carter Bradley, Joey Aguilar (R)
Observations: As the preseason games begin we’ll be watching the battle between Bradley and Aguilar to see who’ll be the practice squad quarterback. Bradley is the incumbent and is who is ahead of the competition currently.
Running Back (4)
Projected on roster: Chris Rodriguez Jr., Bhayshul Tuten, LeQuint Allen, Ameer Abdullah
Cuts: DeeJay Dallas, J’Mari Taylor (R)
Observations: Rodriguez has began ramping up a bit with limited team reps. It’ll be interesting to see if he continues to get more work as camp rolls along. I think the team will use a by-committee approach, but it will definitely be opportunity there for reps in joint practices. Abdullah has looked better than Dallas in the second-team reps to this point.
Wide receiver (5)
Projected on roster: Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, Travis Hunter, Josh Cameron (R), CJ Williams (R)
Cuts: Brady Boyd (R), Chandler Brayboy, Tim Jones, Trebor Pena (R), Austin Trammell, Michael Wortham (R)
Observations: This room is packed. We aren’t making any changes just yet. Tim Jones strung together a few nice days of camp. Still, it’ll take a lot for him to take either of the rookie draftees spot as they’ve both been standouts through the first portion of training camp.
Tight end (4)
Projected on roster: Brenton Strange, Nate Boerkircher (R), Quintin Morris, Tanner Koziol (R)
Cuts: Patrick Herbert, Hunter Long, Ethan Conner (R)
Observations: No changes here. Strange will headline the group alongside Boerkircher. Morris and Koziol following them. Hunter Long’s experience might keep him in the fight, but he hasn’t jumped out to this point of camp.
Offensive line (10)
Projected on roster: Cole Van Lanen, Ezra Cleveland, Robert Hainsey, Patrick Mekari, Anton Harrison, Walker Little, Emmanuel Pregnon (R), Jonah Monheim, Wyatt Milum, Chuma Edoga
Cuts: Jerome Carvin, Ricky Lee, Jimto Obidegwu, Sam Mustipher, Kilian Zierer, Gerod Christian
Injured reserve: Garrett DiGiorgio (IR)/(R)
Observations: There aren’t many questions about who’s being kept and who’s being cut as of now. The questions come down to who will be featured where. Anton Harrison seems likely to be the starting left tackle and Wyatt Milum has gotten reps at right tackle. What does that mean for Chuma Edoga and Walker Little’s future with the team? Especially as Little limped off the field during the intersquad scrimmage. Will Mekari be overtaken by Monheim for the starting guard spot? All are things to monitor as camp rolls along.
Defensive line/Edge rusher (10)
Projected on roster: Josh Hines-Allen, DaVon Hamilton, Arik Armstead, Travon Walker, Ruke Orhorhoro, Matt Dickerson, Albert Regis (R), BJ Green II, Danny Striggow, Wesley Williams (R)
Cuts: Keivie Rose, Zach Durfee (R), T.J. Bollers (R), Quinton Bohanna, Jalen Hunt (R), Quindarius Dunnigan, Bryan Thomas Jr. (R)
Observations: Flexibility seems to be a big theme here with several players who can play inside or out. I think the team will opt to go heavy, keeping 10 players to preemptively help with any injury issues. Keep an eye on rookie Zach Durfee, who strung together several good days of practice and could make a push to make the roster.
Linebacker (5)
Projected on roster: Foye Oluokun, Ventrell Miller, Dennis Gardeck, Branson Combs, Jalen McLeod
Cuts: Yasir Abdullah, Jahlani Tavai, Parker Hughes (R)
Injured reserve: Jack Kiser (IR)
Observations: It was reported that Kiser is expected back for camp at some point, but he hasn’t returned since suffering a lower body injury on the first day. At this rate, I think he’ll be a candidate to start the year on the injured reserve list with a designation to return.
Cornerback (5)
Projected on roster: Travis Hunter, Montaric Brown, Jourdan Lewis, Jarrian Jones, Jabbar Muhammad
Cuts: Keni-H Lovely, Christian Braswell, Preston Hodge (R), Devon Marshall (R), Corey Ballentine
Observations: The final spot in this room will likely be decided between Christian Braswell and Jabbar Muhammad. Braswell has been limited in practices as he nurses an injury. Muhammad has been a strong riser over the summer and to start camp. Keni-H Lovely has looked good in reps against the starting offense, but there’s not space for him unless an injury occurs.
Safety (5)
Projected on roster: Eric Murray, Antonio Johnson, Caleb Ransaw, Rayuan Lane III, Jalen Huskey (R)
Cuts: Devin Neal Jr. (R), Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, Trevian Thomas
Observations: A pretty straightforward position grouping. Caleb Ransaw and Rayuan Lane are special teams starters, Huskey is a third-round pick. Antonio Johnson and Eric Murray are the starters on defense.
Special Teams (3)
Projected on roster: Logan Cooke, Cam Little, Ross Matiscik
Cuts: N/A
Observations: Three of the best at what they do, these guys have the most job security on the team.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars 53-man roster projection after first week of training camp
Reporting by Juston Lewis, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Juston Lewis, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | USA TODAY Network
