They were under-the-radar rookies last year when the Jacksonville Jaguars began their regular season.
One was a seventh-round pick (running back LeQuint Allen Jr.) who was fourth on the depth chart.
Two were third-round picks (guard Wyatt Milum and safety Caleb Ransaw) who never made it to the starting line because of injuries.
And two were undrafted free agents (defensive end B.J. Green and linebacker Branson Combs) trying to make an impression on the active roster and practice squad, respectively.
Flip the calendar to this year. When the Jaguars open training camp practices on July 29, none of the five players are expected to be starters, but are worth watching.
RB LeQuint Allen, Jr.
What he did last year: Allen played in every game and had 270 offensive snaps as the third running back behind Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten. Allen carried 23 times for 94 yards and caught 10 passes for 54 yards.
Why he’s worth watching: In debating who will get the most carries at running back between Tuten and Chris Rodriguez, are we overlooking Allen? Only one team last year (Tampa Bay) had three running backs with at least 75 carries so that kind of workload may be a stretch for Allen, but the Jaguars should have confidence he can log in the range of 50-60 attempts if Rodriguez and Tuten stay healthy.
Quote: “(Allen has to improve on) just being a more disciplined runner,” running backs coach Chad Morton said. “The pass protection, he’s one of the better ones in the entire NFL. As a runner, it’s being more detailed with his stuff and knowing the schemes and where the run is supposed to go.”
G Wyatt Milum
What he did last year: Milum’s season was sidetracked by a preseason knee injury that limited him to 11 games (including playoffs) and 96 offensive snaps, mostly as a jumbo tight end.
Why he’s worth watching: Milum can use this year’s camp as an audition to start next year at right guard. Patrick Mekari is the likely starter this year, but the Jaguars can create $13 million of cap space for 2027 if they move on from him after the season. The Jaguars like Milum’s edge so watching him mix it up in the joint practices will be fun. Above all, Plan A should be keeping him at right guard.
Quote: “The fine line for us as coaches, and it’s very delicate because if you move a guy all over the place, you hinder his development at one spot and he’s a jack of all trades, but not as a master of any,” offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett said.
DE B.J. Green
What he did last year: Green made the team as an undrafted rookie and appeared in 15 games and had two sacks and 15 tackles in 106 regular season/playoff snaps.
Why he’s worth watching: Green will get a huge chance to show the Jaguars they don’t need to add a veteran situational pass rusher. A good August and Green will be viewed as the top back-up edge rusher and have a regular third-down role.
Quote: “When B.J. puts his mind to something, he does it,” defensive end Josh Hines-Allen said. “He was a good rookie last year and he’s a good leader to the younger guys now.”
LB Branson Combs
What he did last year: Combs started the season on the practice squad before his Nov. 13, 2025, promotion. He appeared in 11 regular season/playoff games (28 snaps) and also played 177 special teams snaps in the regular season.
Why he’s worth watching: The Jaguars didn’t add veteran linebacker help after Devin Lloyd signed with the Carolina Panthers, a sign of their confidence in Combs and Ventrell Miller. Combs may be a semi-longshot to beat out Miller for the starting job, but it’s possible he could carve out a situational role.
Quote: “Branson had an awesome offseason,” linebackers coach Tem Lukabu said. “Branson was undrafted and what I think people forget is that he went to college as a receiver. Maybe 36-48 calendar months ago, he was a receiver so he’s still a neophyte when it comes to linebacker. But he brings so many things you can’t teach — his length (6-foot-3), his size (228 pounds), his athleticism, his poise in space. Every day, he keeps adding something to his tool belt that makes him more valuable and makes our defense better.”
S Caleb Ransaw
What he did last year: Ransaw sustained a preseason foot injury and missed the entire season.
Why he’s worth watching: Once the Jaguars put on pads next month, it will be nearly a year between padded practices for Ransaw. That’s enough reason to monitor him. The safe bet is Antonio Johnson will join Eric Murray as the starting safeties, but Johnson is a free agent in March 2027. It will be interesting to see in camp if Ransaw is utilized as the dime player (sixth defensive back) because of his ability to play corner and safety.
Quote: “I was very much of a fan of Caleb when we drafted him,” coach Liam Coen said. “We’re just excited to see what he could be.”
Contact O’Halloran at rohalloran@gannett.com or on X at @ryanohalloran. Listen to Ryan on 1010AM on Tuesdays (6:35 p.m. on “Into The Night”), Thursdays (1:15 on “XL Primetime”) and Fridays (4-6 p.m. on “The Lead”).
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: These five Jaguars won’t start, but are worth watching in camp
Reporting by Ryan O’Halloran, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ryan O'Halloran, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | USA TODAY Network
