May 13, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars safety John Cyprien (37) leaps as he tries to catch a pass during organized team activities at The Florida Blue Health

Ryan O’Halloran recently wrote a piece predicting the final 53-man roster for the upcoming season. He of course has all 8 rookies making the roster as he should. Given the huge turnover on the roster, specifically with the release of some high priced veterans, all the rookies have the opportunity to not only make the roster, but earn some playing time.

There are three rookies who are virtual locks to start at the beginning of the season: Luke Joeckel at right tackle; Johnathan Cyprien at safety; Dwayne Gratz at cornerback. While Joeckel and Cyprien have no one behind them to really challenge them for the starting spot, Gratz is joined by several other young players in the secondary vying for playing time. Of the two holdovers from last year – Mike Harris and Kevin Rutland – Harris was more impressive last year and could hold down the nickel spot this year. The two other rookies – Demetrius McCray and Jeremy Harris – are going to have to beat out freshly signed veterans Alan Ball and Marcus Trufant. Chances are someone at the top of the depth chart is going to miss some time due to injury, so at least one of those rookies is going to get some playing time this season.

Another player considered to be a late round steal, Josh Evans will probably be contributing mostly on special teams this year. When healthy last year, Dwight Lowery was one of the few bright spots in the Jaguars secondary. Evans will likely (and hopefully) get the nod if either safety gets hurt over Chris Prosinski.

May 13, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Denard Robinson (29) protects the ball during organized team activities at The Florida Blue Health

The two offensive weapons drafted, Denard Robinson and Ace Sanders, should get significant playing time. Ace Sanders will have plenty of opportunities at the beginning of the season with Justin Blackmon out to show he can be a playmaker. And with Maurice Jones-Drew likely to be eased into the starting lineup following his injury, Denard will get plenty of reps in addition whatever gadget plays Jedd Fisch has cooked up for him.

In all, 5 or 6 of the rookies have the chance to make a huge impact this season and cement themselves as part of a foundation for this new regime’s rebuild. David Caldwell drafted in an ingenious manner – the three rookies least likely to start this season are the three rookies he drafted last. That’s knowing your roster and getting value in the draft.

- Daniel Lago

Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89

May 3, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Matt Scott (5) sets to pass as head coach Gus Bradley (background) looks on during a rookie minicamp held at Everbank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

With Mini-Camps and OTAs coming to a close, it’s as good a time as any to look ahead towards the 2013 season and how difficult the Jaguars’ schedule appears to be. Remember, “strength of schedule” doesn’t mean much before the season begins due to a number of factors. Strength of schedule is entirely constructed from past performance, i.e. 2012 win-loss record. In reality, judging the relative difficulty of a team’s upcoming schedule is mostly subjective. You take a look at who the opponents are and analyze additions, subtractions, and major changes from the previous season.

My favorite item to analyze when looking over a schedule is the quarterbacks. In general, the more difficult games on the schedule are those in which you play elite quarterbacks. Everyone in the NFC South has a really tough schedule – the quarterbacks in the division are Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton and Josh Freeman. You have two elite veteran quarterbacks, an up-and-coming star in Cam Newton, and a young wild card in Josh Freeman.

With that in mind, let’s dissect the Jaguars’ 2013 schedule and the quarterbacks they face.

A few things: no I do not think Matt Schaub is an elite quarterback. I also am skeptical about which way the arrow is pointing on Philip Rivers. Two years ago it wouldn’t even be a discussion, but after two consecutive years with a passer rating less than 90 and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 1.5, Philip Rivers can’t automatically be part of the elite quarterback discussion.

A look at the second half of the schedule is rather encouraging; the Jaguars only play one elite quarterback after the bye (Andrew Luck). This means the Jags have a good chance to close the season strong and gain some momentum going into 2014. Of course there are a million other factors (like who will be playing quarterback for the Jaguars), but at least Jacksonville won’t be facing a ton of pro bowl quarterbacks during the final stretch of the season.

- Daniel Lago

Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89

Coach Gus Bradley says Jaguars might enter trng camp w/ 5 QBs. Jaguars & Eagles are only NFL teams carrying 5 right now

— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) June 12, 2013

Quarterback is a position where uncertainty and competition isn’t generally encouraged. The old adage “if you have two quarterbacks you really have none” is used in situations where the starter is not clear. Well the Jaguars have 5 quarterbacks (really 4 since Jordan Rodgers has hardly participated) and it’s evident they also have don’t have a clear cut starter. While most people assume Blaine Gabbert is going to start the season, there’s no reason to believe another quarterback won’t step up. More so, there’s no reason to believe Gabbert will finish the season as the starting quarterback. It’s not even training camp, but the returns on Gabbert are pretty up and down.

All you need to know about Jaguars practice: 3 of 4 QBs (all but Henne) threw incomplete deep passes against AIR

— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) June 13, 2013

Gabbert solid in red zone, one td and one drop. Matt Scott also continues to look improved. #jaguarz

— John Oehser (@JohnOehser) June 13, 2013

Mike Mularkey’s ridiculous comment aside, the odd man out in the competition before the season starts is probably Chad Henne. The Jaguars have 3 complete unknowns in Matt Scott, Jordan Rodgers, and Mike Kafka and a relative unknown in Blaine Gabbert. Any of those 4 players could potentially develop into a solid starter or more. Chad Henne has been in the league for 5 seasons now. We know what he is and on a young team that won’t be ready to compete for at least another year Henne has very little value.

Former Jaguars HC Mike Mularkey told Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan he would start Chad Henne over Blaine Gabbert.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 12, 2013

I would be somewhat shocked if Gabbert doesn’t start the season for the Jaguars. I would be significantly less surprised if someone else finished the season as the starter. Gabbert will show one of two things this season – he is a legitimate starting quarterback in this league or he can’t play at a high enough level for a team to compete. His first two seasons indicate the former is not very likely and if that’s the case, someone else will be under center for the final game. My completely arbitrary percentages on who will finish the season as the starter are below.

- Daniel Lago

Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89