The Jacksonville Jaguars are six practices into training camp, and the first real picture of this roster is starting to come into focus.
They’ve already gone full-speed through six sessions in seven days, using those early workouts to get a read on where the team stands before the regular season arrives. The first two padded practices of camp gave a clearer look at both sides of the ball, with offense and defense each having a day where they got the better of the other.
A week from now, the Jaguars will get their first joint practice of the summer against the New Orleans Saints. After that, they’ll host the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the next two weeks of the preseason.
With that in mind, here’s an early depth chart projection based on the first week of camp.
At quarterback, there’s no mystery. Trevor Lawrence is the starter, and Nick Mullens is the backup. Carter Bradley and Joey Aguilar are the other two quarterbacks on the roster, and they’ll be fighting for the practice squad quarterback spot as preseason continues.
Wide receiver is one of the deepest spots on the roster. The projected starters are Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter, with CJ Williams and Josh Cameron behind them.
That group is crowded enough that it’s going to be tough for anyone on the outside to break through unless injuries open the door. Williams and Cameron have both stood out early in camp.
The backfield looks more by committee. Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. are projected as the starters, while LeQuint Allen Jr. and Ameer Abdullah are behind them.
Rodriguez got his first team reps since signing recently and looked good in limited work. Allen should get chances because of his pass protection, and Abdullah has flashed as a reserve.
On the offensive line, the projection has Anton Harrison, Ezra Cleveland, Robert Hainsey, Patrick Mekari and Walker Little with the starters, followed by Cole Van Lanen, Wyatt Milum, Jonah Monheim, Emmanuel Pregnon and Chuma Edoga. Harrison appears to be getting a real shot to start at left tackle, though the call remains cloudy until Van Lanen returns.
The cornerback group is also starting to sort itself out. Montaric Brown, Jourdan Lewis, Travis Hunter and Jarrian Jones are projected as the starters, with Jabbar Muhammad backing them up.
Jones is still pushing for a starting job, while Hunter’s cornerback reps have increased since camp opened. Brown is the main name, Lewis brings the veteran presence, and Muhammad earns his spot with the ability to play inside or outside.
Safety looks fairly settled too, with Eric Murray and Antonio Johnson projected to start. Caleb Ransaw, Rayuan Lane and Jalen Huskey are next up. Johnson is stepping into a starting role alongside Murray, Ransaw’s versatility should keep him on the field, Lane brings special teams value, and Huskey is expected to be developed as the season moves along.
The defensive line is one of the deeper areas on the roster, and the Jaguars appear ready to use a variety of looks there. The backup group includes BJ Green, Matt Dickerson, Ruke Orhorhoro, Danny Striggow, Albert Regis and Wesley Williams.
One position still left open in the projection is tight end, and specialists were not included in the list.
In Other News...
Jaguars Rookies Are Already Revealing Who Could Earn Early Roles
Five training camp practices in, the Jaguars are already getting a clearer picture of how their rookie class fits. Some first-year players have started to separate themselves in the early depth chart picture, with a few carving out immediate backup roles while others are still working to climb past veteran competition. For a team trying to sort out its roster early in camp, those first indications matter because they hint at which rookies are ready to factor in sooner rather than later.
Albert Regis has settled in as the backup to DaVon Hamilton at defensive tackle, and he is not the only newcomer drawing attention. Jalen Huskey, Wesley Williams, Zach Durfee, Josh Cameron, CJ Williams, Tanner Koziol and Parker Hughes are all working from different spots on the board, most of them behind more experienced players or in direct competition for a place on the roster. The early list does not settle much, but it does show which names have already put themselves in the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Suddenly Have A Camp Concern That Could Shape The Roster
Training camp has barely gotten moving, and the Jaguars are already dealing with a roster issue that can change how the whole month is evaluated. Injuries at linebacker have thinned one spot, and the bigger concern for depth right now is along the offensive line, where Cole Van Lanens placement on the Active/PUP list has left Jacksonville light at tackle.
That is why the Jaguars are looking at veteran help to keep camp reps competitive and protect themselves against more wear and tear. Joe Noteboom, Liam Eichenberg and D.J. Humphries are among the names in the mix, giving the front office a few different ways to add experience and competition while the team sorts out what it really has in the trenches. [Read more 🡒]