Jaguars Start Roster Moves, Who’s Next?

October 20, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks kicker Adam Yates (8) kicks a field goal as quarterback Seth Strickland (11) holds the ball against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 44-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

With players already reporting for training camp, Jacksonville Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell wasted no time shuffling the back-end of the roster. On Thursday Caldwell waived safety Chris Banjo and tight end Kyler Reed. The team signed wide receiver Cole McKenzie out of Southern Oregon and kicker Adam Yates out of South Carolina to fill the roster.

Kyler Reed was expected to compete for a spot in the tight end rotation behind Marcedes Lewis, so his departure is somewhat surprising. The startling part of Chris Banjo’s release is the choice to cut him instead of Chris Prosinski. Unless head coach Gus Bradley has a very specific scheme set up to hide Prosinski’s tendency to take bad angles and misjudge tackling opportunities, Prosinski will continue to be a disaster in the defensive backfield.

With very little depth behind Marcedes Lewis, expect the Jaguars to pick up another tight end at some point during camp. The Jaguars don’t have to trim the roster down to 75 players until August 27 so don’t expect a ton of movement before then, but there are a few big names who could be shown the door if younger players step up.

Of the well paid veterans on the roster, Jeremy Mincey and Dwight Lowery are the most likely to see themselves let go by the end of training camp. Dwight Lowery has played well and is probably the best option to start at free safety, but the Jaguars seem to be very high on rookie Josh Evans. If Caldwell and Bradley want to usher in the youth movement more wholesale this would be the right move. Jeremy Mincey’s problem is finding a spot for him to make an impact on defense. He doesn’t have the speed and burst off the line to play the LEO and he’s not the ideal size to play end in this 3-4/4-3 hybrid front. If Mincey proves ineffective at every spot, don’t be surprised to see him on the street.

Most of the roster moves we’ll see will involve undrafted rookies and camp bodies, but we’ll see another big name or two let go at some point.

– Daniel Lago

Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89