After six training camp practices, the Jaguars’ offense is starting to settle into view.
There’s still plenty of time for movement. Several weeks of work and three preseason games remain, so players can still climb the ladder or fight their way onto the roster. But one week into camp, the competition is already sorting itself out at every spot.
At quarterback, the main battle behind the top two is between Aguilar and Bradley for the third spot, which would land on the practice squad. Bradley has the edge of a year in Liam Coen’s offense, and that experience is helping him hold position.
The backfield looks crowded, but the numbers suggest the Jaguars probably carry three running backs. Right now, Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez and LeQuint Allen sit ahead of the group, with Ameer Abdullah next.
DeeJay Dallas and J’Mari Taylor round out the rest of the room. Abdullah’s value goes beyond offense, too, since he can also help in the return game.
Jacksonville did keep four backs for much of last season, so that’s something to watch.
Wide receiver is where camp has already made a statement. Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, Travis Hunter, CJ Williams and Josh Cameron make up the top of the group, followed by Tim Jones, Austin Trammell, Trebor Pena, Chandler Brayboy, Brady Boyd and Michael Wortham.
If there was any uncertainty about Williams and Cameron entering camp, their work has cleared that up. Both rookies have pushed themselves firmly into the mix.
Jones and Trammell, meanwhile, look like they’re on the outside for now, though Jacksonville could still try to stash at least one of them on the practice squad.
Tight end is still being sorted, but Koziol seems to be ahead of Morris in terms of opportunity. Morris also gets the nod over Long at the moment because of what he brings as a blocker and on multiple special teams units.
Up front, the offensive line picture has its own wrinkles. With Van Lanen still out, the Jaguars have been testing Harrison at left tackle and Little at right tackle.
Ezra Cleveland, Robert Hainsey and Patrick Mekari are in the mix with them, while Wyatt Milum appears to be making a push at right guard. If Jacksonville keeps nine linemen like it did last year, Edoga could be the odd man out.
Little’s ability to play both tackle spots gives the group flexibility, and Milum and Pregnon can back up at guard, with Milum also having tackle experience.
In Other News...
Jaguars Scrimmage Just Made Two Roster Fights A Lot More Serious
Two weeks into training camp, the Jaguars have gotten enough work in to start separating the crowded jobs from the truly unsettled ones, and the recent scrimmage put a few of those competitions under the microscope. The strong side linebacker battle between Jalen McLeod and Yasir Abdullah has been one of the more watchable fights so far, while the running back group is still in the mix as the roster begins to take shape.
Up front, the offensive line picture is becoming just as important because of the health concerns around Cole Van Lanen, Patrick Mekari and Walker Little. Those injuries are forcing the Jaguars to think carefully about depth and how they want to line up the rest of camp, especially with so much still in flux on both sides of the ball. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Suddenly Face A Trevor Lawrence Protection Concern In Camp
The Jaguars kept working to shore up Trevor Lawrences protection on Saturday, adding veteran offensive lineman Geron Christian as camp injuries continued to thin out the group in front of him. To make the roster move, Jacksonville placed rookie Garrett DiGiorgio on the Reserve/Injured list, ending his season before it really got going, a reminder of how quickly the depth chart can change once the pads come on.
It is the kind of roster adjustment teams hope not to make this early, but the Jaguars have little choice with several veteran linemen already banged up or limited in practice. Walker Littles absence from Saturdays walkthrough only added to the concern, turning what had been a routine camp story into one worth watching closely as Jacksonville tries to keep its quarterback upright. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Offensive Line Battle Is Starting To Feel Very Real
Training camp has already turned the Jaguars offensive line into one of the clearest competitions on the roster, with Jacksonville testing out a range of combinations to see what sticks. Anton Harrison, Walker Little, Wyatt Milum, Chuma Edoga and Emmanuel Pregnon have all been moved around as the staff looks for the best five and tries to keep everyone ready for a long season.
The approach is about more than just sorting out a starting group. The Jaguars want real competition across the line, and they also want insurance if injuries force them to reshuffle at some point. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen has already spoken positively about Harrisons work, but the bigger picture is still taking shape as the team keeps cross-training players at multiple spots. [Read more 🡒]