The Jaguars are heading into training camp with a few names that won’t be penciled in as starters, but still deserve a close look when practices begin July 29.
That group includes running back LeQuint Allen Jr., guard Wyatt Milum, defensive end B.J. Green, linebacker Branson Combs and safety Caleb Ransaw. Each of them arrived in a different spot a year ago - some as rookies fighting for a foothold, some slowed by injuries, some trying to force their way onto the roster at all - and now each has a chance to push for a bigger role.
Allen is the easiest one to overlook if the conversation at running back stays centered on Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez. But he was on the field in every game last season, logged 270 offensive snaps as the third back behind Travis Etienne and Tuten, and finished with 23 carries for 94 yards along with 10 catches for 54 yards.
Running backs coach Chad Morton said, “(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.” If Rodriguez and Tuten stay healthy, the workload might not explode, but Allen still looks like a player the Jaguars can trust for 50-60 attempts.
Milum’s path is different. A preseason knee injury cut into his year and limited him to 11 games, including the playoffs, and 96 offensive snaps, most of them in a jumbo tight end role.
This camp gives him a chance to make his case for a future starting job at right guard, even if Patrick Mekari is the likely starter this season. The Jaguars could create $13 million of cap space for 2027 if they move on from Mekari after the season, which makes Milum’s development worth watching now.
Offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett said, “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.
Green already showed enough last year to earn a real shot at a bigger role. The undrafted rookie made the team, played in 15 games, and posted two sacks and 15 tackles in 106 regular season/playoff snaps.
Now he has a chance to convince the Jaguars they don’t need to add a veteran situational pass rusher. A strong August could put him in line as the top backup edge rusher and a regular third-down option.
Josh Hines-Allen said, “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.”
Combs is another player who climbed from the margins and kept moving. He opened last season on the practice squad before his Nov. 13, 2025, promotion, then appeared in 11 regular season/playoff games and played 177 special teams snaps in the regular season.
The Jaguars did not bring in veteran linebacker help after Devin Lloyd signed with the Carolina Panthers, which says plenty about how they view Combs and Ventrell Miller. He may be a long shot to beat out Miller for the starting job, but a situational role is clearly in play.
Tem Lukabu said, “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.”
Ransaw is the wild card because he never got to show what he could do last season. A preseason foot injury wiped out his entire year, and once the pads come on next month, it will have been nearly a year since his last padded practice.
Antonio Johnson is the safe pick to start alongside Eric Murray, but Johnson is also a free agent in March 2027, so the Jaguars have reason to see what Ransaw can handle. His versatility could make him a candidate for the dime role as the sixth defensive back.
Liam Coen said, “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.”
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What makes this year especially interesting is how much more will be asked of him on defense. Hunter is viewed as one of the leagues top 10 players under pressure entering 2026, and that spotlight comes with the usual draft-pick expectations plus the added burden of justifying Jacksonvilles aggressive investment. The Jaguars believe he can handle both roles, but the next step is proving he can turn that promise into consistent impact, especially with his defensive responsibilities expected to grow. [Read more 🡒]