Preseason Week 4: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons – 3 Players to Watch

One game stands between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the start of the 2013 regular season. The Atlanta Falcons and the Jaguars will both limit the time their starters get, but the game is undoubtedly important for the young players fighting to get on the roster. The Jaguars have a lot of decisions to make and here are three players who will have the spotlight on them Thursday night in Atlanta.

August 24, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Nate Eachus (45) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Kyle Knox (43) in the fourth quarter of the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Seattle won 44-14. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Linebacker Kyle Knox

General Manager David Caldwell has a habit of claiming players familiar with head coach Gus Bradley and his scheme. Caldwell continued that trend by picking up Kyle Knox, an undrafted linebacker who has been in the league since 2012. Knox was cut by the Seahawks despite a fairly productive preseason. Knox had 2 sacks and a quarterback hurry in 24 snaps and his Pro Football Focus pass rush grade (+2.1) would be second on the Jaguars behind only Sen’Derrick Marks (+2.6). If Kyle Knox plays well on Thursday then he might give the coaching staff the ammunition needed to release Andre Branch.

(Alfie Crow at Big Cat Country did a pretty solid breakdown of Knox’s play this preseason, complete with GIFs.)

Running back Jordan Todman

I had Jordan Todman making the final roster in my predictions yesterday, but he has to put up a pretty good performance to sneak on. Despite the running back missing the entire preseason, it sounds like the Jaguars intend to keep Justin Forsett going into the regular season as Maurice Jones-Drew’s primary backup. Todman had a breakout performance against the Eagles last week, but we’ve seen running backs impress in the preseason and fail to make the roster. He’s going to have to convince the staff that he’s worth sharing the workload with MJD and Denard Robinson.

Quarterback Ricky Stanzi

Another pickup off the waiver wire, Ricky Stanzi had been with the Kansas City Chiefs since being selected in the fifth round of the 2011 draft. Stanzi has never played a regular season snap despite the terrible quarterback situation in Kansas City. While his lack of playtime at Kansas City is disconcerting, Caldwell thought he was worth picking up for a look in the last preseason game. I’m not sure exactly what the plan is with Stanzi, but he could stick around on the practice squad if the Jaguars decide to keep Matt Scott on the roster as the third quarterback.

– Daniel Lago

Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89