Quarterbacks:
Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones
Overview:
Trevor Lawrence is very clearly the starting quarterback for Jacksonville’s roster as he was just paid to be the highest paid quarterback per year tied with Joe Burrow and Jordan Love. Trevor Lawrence is looking towards having the breakout season he was projecting towards last season before his injury against Cincinnati which kept him banged up for the rest of the season. Behind Trevor it’s clear that Mac Jones will be the 2nd string signal caller behind Trevor. The only other quarterback behind Trevor is CJ Beathard. Mac Jones has more starting experience, is younger with more upside, and has shined far over CJ in preseason. The Jaguars may want to keep Beathard, but in my eyes he’s a clear choice to be cut.
Running Backs:
Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, D’Ernest Johnson
Overview:
This position is pretty straight forward. Etienne is the star in the backfield. Tank Bigsby is young, talented, and developing quickly to start out his 2nd season. D’Ernest is a consistent veteran that has well earned his spot on the roster. Keilan Robinson has been extremely disappointing in the offseason and is better off getting cut and hoping he’ll return to the practice squad.
Wide Receivers:
Brian Thomas Jr., Gabe Davis, Devin Duvernay, Elijah Cooks
Overview:
Brian Thomas Jr. I believe has done much more than Gabe has this offseason as well as having far more upside as a WR1, so I have BTJ entering the season already as the top receiver outside for the Jaguars. Behind BTJ and Gabe, Duvernay is clearly making the roster as our new All Pro kick returner and surprisingly impressing immensely as an offensive weapon so far. Elijah Cooks I have as the final outside receiver making the roster as he’s made plenty of consistent plays on offense this offseason, even for the 1st team, and is a great special teamer as well.
Slot Receiver:
Christian Kirk, Parker Washington
Overview:
There are no questions about how the slot receiver room will look. Kirk is obviously the starting slot as he’s been Trevor’s top option since joining Jacksonville, at least when healthy. Parker Washington has done well more than enough to earn not only a spot on the 53 man roster for Jacksonville, but also to have an established role on the offense this season.
Tight Ends:
Evan Engram, Brenton Strange, Luke Farrell
Overview:
Engram is arguably a top 5 tight end in the league and is clearly Jacksonville’s top guy. Brenton Strange was a 2nd round pick last year which basically guarantees him a spot on the roster, but Strange has also impressed quite heavily during the offseason as he projects to be the successor to Engram eventually. I have Farrell as the final tight end on the roster due to his blocking, strong hands, and chemistry with the team.
Left Tackles:
Cam Robinson, Walker Little
Overview:
These two players are clearly the team’s left tackles but the depth chart may be a question for them. Cam Robinson is the Jaguars starter as of now, but I do believe Walker Little could jump Cam as the starter depending on how the offensive line executes early in the season for the Jags.
Left Guards:
Ezra Cleveland, Tyler Shatley
Overview:
Ezra Cleveland was extended to be the starting guard for Jacksonville and should take a nice jump in his 2nd year with the team. Shatley could be a risk to be cut, however his veteran experience on the team should not be underestimated and I believe he should remain on the team.
Centers:
Mitch Morse, Luke Fortner
Overview:
Mitch Morse is the Jaguars big ticket new starting center that the Jaguars hope will propel their offensive line to find success. Fortner was the starter last season but has very clearly been revoked of his starting role for Jacksonville. Some believe Fortner may even be cut, but I believe the Jaguars still like him sitting behind Morse.
Right Guards:
Brandon Scherff, Cole Van Lanen
Overview:
Although Scherff has been rather disappointing when compared to the massive contract he received to join the Jaguars, he is still currently their best offensive lineman. Cole Van Lanen may be a surprise to some making the roster, but he has had an impeccable offseason and has clearly earned a spot on the 53 man roster. Especially when considering Cole’s versatility on the line there’s no question for him making the team.
Right Tackles:
Anton Harrison, Javon Foster
Overview:
Anton Harrison was an All Rookie tackle for Duval last year and I project Anton to take a big jump in his 2nd season to end the season as a top tier right tackle and Jacksonville’s top lineman. Foster is the clear option behind Anton as the 4th round rookie has impressed on both sides of the OLine.
Edge Rushers:
Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, Yasir Abdullah, Myles Cole, DJ Coleman, De’Shaan Dixon (IR)
Overview:
There’s no question that JHA and Walker are the starting edge rushers for Jacksonville as they were the leading duo in sacks last year and only look to get better this season. Dixon was projected to be the 3rd string edge before injury so he’s stashed on the injury reserve. This leaves room for Yasir, Cole, and Coleman to make the 53 as rotational pass rushers and excellent special team players.
Defensive Tackles:
Arik Armstead, Maason Smith, Roy Robertson Harris, Esezi Otomewo
Overview:
Arik is the biggest free agency addition and is sure to be a force in between JHA and Walker. Maason I project to be in the starting rotation over RRH, Maason has been DOMINANT and has well earned many starting reps for this defensive line. RRH I believe is a potential trade candidate, but if he stays in Jacksonville he will certainly get his snaps as a rotational player. Otomewo I don’t expect to get many starting reps but has well earned a spot on the roster after an extraordinary preseason.
Nose Tackles:
DaVon Hamilton Jordan Jefferson
Overview:
DaVon looks back and better than ever as the starting nose tackle following his injury last season. Jordan Jefferson hasn’t shown much promise in his rookie offseason, but as a 4th round pick it would be next to impossible for Jacksonville to cut him from the 53 man roster.
Linebackers:
Foye Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, Chad Muma, Ventrell Miller, Caleb Johnson
Overview:
Foye and Lloyd make for one of the best linebacker duos in the league, they are not question the starters. Now that the Jaguars are in a 4-3 there will be a 3rd starting coverage linebacker and I believe that role will be split between Chad Muma and Ventrell Miller in rotation. Then Caleb Johnson is clearly going to make the 53 man roster as a core special team player and needed depth at the position. I will note that the Jaguars will not run 3 linebackers nearly every snap as they have a hybrid defense that will have many looks with an extra defensive back or a 5 man front.
Outside Cornerbacks:
Tyson Campbell, Ronald Darby, Jarrian Jones, Montaric Brown
Overview:
Tyson and Darby are the clear starters as of now, but I could see Jarrian Jones taking over Darby’s spot sooner than later after a fantastic offseason. Montaric Brown makes the team as depth impressing well enough when Campbell was hurt last season.
Slot Cornerbacks:
Darnell Savage, Christian Braswell
Overview:
Many people have questions about Savage about where he will play, but I believe they will slot him in at the slot primarily taking advantage of his light frame and extreme athleticism. Braswell has has a strong preseason and will surely make the team as the backup slot with a chance to see the field considering Savage’s health.
Free Safety:
Andre Cisco, Terrell Edmunds, Andrew Wingard (IR)
Overview:
Cisco is primed for a breakout season as a star turnover machine for Jacksonville. Edmunds has well earned a spot on the team after a dominant training camp. Wingard is a star special teams player and captain of the Jaguars but should be placed on IR as he’s bound to miss multiple weeks with an injury.
Strong Safety:
Antonio Johnson, Daniel Thomas
Overview:
ANT had a very impressive rookie year on limited snaps and is primed for a breakout season as well replacing Rayshawn Jenkins this year. Daniel Thomas isn’t ideal safety depth but is a star special teamer.
Special Teams:
Kicker: Cam Little
Punter: Logan Cooke
Long Snapper: Ross Matiscik
Returns: Devin Duvernary, Parker Washington, Tank Bigsby
Overview:
Cam Little has fashionably won the starting kicker job for the Jaguars as he’s been the most impressive rookie kicker so far making kicks as far as 70 yards back consistently. Cooke has consistently been a top 10 punter for the Jaguars over recent years, there is absolutely no concern at the punter position for Jacksonville. Ross is the best long snapper in the league, put some respect on his name. Duvernay and Parker make up an electric returner duo under the new kickoff rules having 2 returners, with Tank as a great reserve. If Cam Little pans out the Jaguars may have the strongest special team unit in the league.
Tough Cuts:
CB Deantre Prince, OL Cooper Hodges, IDL Tyler Lacy, WR Joshua Cephus, WR Austin Trammell
Overview:
Prince was by far the hardest cut as he’s been impressive as a rookie corner. Believing Montaric Brown is more important depth, I simply couldn’t find space for Prince on the roster. In this scenario the Jaguars would be wishfully hoping Prince could come back to the practice squad. Cephus, Cooper, Lacy, and Austin have all had great offseasons as well but are unlikely to get picked up off of waivers and should return to the practice squad for the Jaguars.