With three weeks of training camp and a preseason game in the books, the Jacksonville Jaguars are getting a better idea of which 53 players they'll carry into the regular season.
This year, the Jaguars spent most of the team's offseason program and much of training camp so far working to onboard younger players, getting them ready to suit up on gameday if their number's called.
That was the team's message in January from general manager Trent Baalke and has remained a message from Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson over the last several months.
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The process is a bit antithetical to what the team has done in the past. Typically, the starters play with the starters, but with Jacksonville's new plan, starters and backups have received plenty of reps against starters and other backups.
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Whether or not that proves effective remains to be seen, but it has made figuring out the team's depth chart, and as a result, the 53-man roster a bit tougher than usual.
So there's no better time than now to speculate and create a perfect 53-man roster for the Jaguars ahead of the team's preseason Week 2 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If you would like to see our 53-man roster prediction just before the start of training camp, click here.
Quarterbacks (2)
Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones
As training camp continues, it's becoming obvious that the backup job is Jones' to lose, but it's not like it isn't close.
Through roughly 11 tracked practices by the Times-Union up to the team's first preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, both Beathhard and Jones have had plenty of solid outings.
Beathard is credited for completing 59-81 (72.8%) of his passes in 7-on-7 drills, while he's completed 61-91 (67%) of passes in 11-on-11 periods for nine touchdowns and two interceptions.
Jones has fared similarly, completing 47-65 (72.3%) in 7-on-7 and 64-88 (72.7%) in 11-on-11 periods for 14 touchdowns and three interceptions.
In the game against Kansas City, Beathard completed 7 of 14 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. Jones, meanwhile, completed 9 of 11 passes for 98 yards. Beathard was the first man in for Lawrence, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Jones get the nod this week against the Buccaneers.
If Beathard is released, look for him to return to the practice squad.
OUT: Beathard
Wide receivers (6)
Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, Brian Thomas Jr. (R), Devin Duvernay, Parker Washington, Tim Jones
The Jaguars kept seven receivers last year including Elijah Cooks. Though the team may opt to move in that direction again, going lighter at another position, the difference will come down to special teams. Last year, Cooks was rarely active playing in nine games due to injuries at the position. He caught three passes for 38 yards.
Cooks is a player that teams could pick up to fill out the backend of their roster, so it's a risk. Still, the team has to keep players who will contribute, especially at the receiver position. None of the team's young receivers have truly separated themselves, but that could change as the weeks continue.
OUT: Cooks, Seth Williams, Joshua Cephus, Brevin Easton, Denzel Mims, Joseph Scates, Austin Trammell
Running backs (3)
Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, Jalen Jackson (R)
This could be surprising, but Bigsby's improvements this offseason and into the preseason are real. Last week, Bigsby carried the ball three times for 28 yards. He added 45 yards on an impressive kick return.
The Jaguars drafted Keilan Robinson in the fifth round, but he's missed a lot of time since the start of camp due to a toe injury. If that lingers, it's difficult to see the Jaguars holding on. He's a practice squad candidate and it would be surprising to see another team jump at the opportunity to take a player who hasn't played much during camp.
Keeping four running backs also feels like a fruitless endeavor unless special teams coordinator Heath Farwell is in love with one of them.
Jackson has flashed plenty and carried the ball five times for 29 yards against the Chiefs. He could be a diamond in the rough for Jacksonville's young backfield.
OUT: D'Ernest Johnson, Robinson, Gary Brightwell
Tight ends (3)
Evan Engram, Brenton Strange, Luke Farrell
This team is not tight-end based. While Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson featured two tight end sets heavily during his previous stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, that's not what he's shown during his two years in Jacksonville and the team's investment in the receiver corps makes that clearer.
Though Josiah Deguara has flashed (three catches for 42 yards vs. Chiefs), it's unlikely he will be active on gameday even if he's retained on the initial 53-man roster.
OUT: Chris Myarick, Shawn Bowman (R), Deguara
Offensive linemen (10)
Cam Robinson, Ezra Cleveland, Mitch Morse, Brandon Scherff, Anton Harrison, Walker Little, Blake Hance, Cooper Hodges, Javon Foster (R), Luke Fortner
This group is more or less straightforward. It's tough to see Jacksonville keeping a 10th offensive lineman with other position groups needing to be filled at the initial cut-down day. They could bring back a couple of players via the practice squad, including rookie OL Steven Jones, but it's unlikely they use a roster spot on him when two or three of those kept won't be active on game day.
Keeping 10 offensive linemen feels unlikely, but the team likes Fortner and aside from Hance, those are the only two true question marks at the moment.
OUT: Darryl Williams, Jones (R), Tyler Shatley, Cole Van Lanen, Keaton Sutherland
Defensive linemen (9)
Josh Hines-Allen, DaVon Hamilton, Arik Armstead, Travon Walker, Trevis Gipson, Tyler Lacy, Roy Robertson-Harris, Maason Smith (R), Jordan Jefferson (R)
This could be the toughest group to figure out. Defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo made a case for himself against the Chiefs after tallying 1.5 sacks.
But newly-signed defensive end Breeland Speaks flashed some without much time to adjust to the team. Jeremiah Ledbetter has the advantage here, it's tough to see any of them making the roster with Smith and Jefferson seemingly virtual locks.
This is a very fluid situation and Otomewo making the team wouldn't be a surprise after he spent 2023 on the team's practice squad.
Seventh-round selection Myles Cole will likely re-join the team via the practice squad and it would be surprising to see him claimed by another team due to his raw skill set.
OUT: D.J. Coleman, Cole (R), Speaks, Raymond Johnson, Jonathan Marshall, Rasheem Green, Ledbetter, Otomewo
Linebackers (5)
Foye Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, Chad Muma, Ventrell Miller, Caleb Johnson
The Jaguars have four players who will probably receive playing time on defense including Oluokun, Lloyd, Muma and Miller. Johnson re-signed with the team for the opportunity to play more on defense but has been one of their best special teams players.
Second-year LB Yasir Abdullah is a tough cut, but it's ultimately a numbers game. Unless he's an ace on special teams, it's hard to see him making the initial roster. He's certainly a potential practice squad snag.
OUT: Abdullah, Tanner Muse, Andrew Parker Jr. (R)
Cornerbacks (7)
Tyson Campbell, Ronald Darby, Darnell Savage, Jarrian Jones, De'Antre Prince, Montaric Brown, Christian Braswell
The Jaguars are loaded at a corner, but it doesn't mean that's the most talented group on the roster. If the Jaguars do keep Jones and Prince, it could be reasonable to expect Brown to miss the mark. Still, he has the most experience among players set to go into the game behind Campbell and Darby.
It's unlikely the Jaguars can keep either Jones or Prince from being snatched up and Braswell has shown enough so far to be worthy of a spot. This position group could be similar to the receiver position last year.
OUT: Amani Oruwariye, Tevaughn Cmapbell, Tre Flowers
Safeties (5)
Andre Cisco, Antonio Johnson, Andrew Wingard, Tashaun Gipson, Daniel Thomas
This one is weird. The Jaguars will likely place Wingard on injured reserve to start the season, while Gipson will be placed on the suspended list after initial cuts. That leaves a couple of open spots once those moves are made, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the team bring back veteran safety Terrell Edmunds after those moves are made and spots become open.
Proctor has worked with the linebackers lately in camp, so there's a chance he's brought back on the practice squad for more development. Erick Hallett II has also been cross-training, playing nickel alongside safety at times in camp. He's another player to watch for developmental purposes.
OUT: Hallett II, Amos, Proctor (R)
Specialists (3)
Logan Cooke, Cam Little, Ross Matiscik
This has been locked for a while, and Little has shown plenty of leg and reason for optimism about the team's kicking game. No other specialists are on the roster.
Demetrius Harvey isthe Jacksonville Jaguars reporterfor the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter,at@Demetrius82.
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