The Jaguars wannabe GM looks at the current offensive roster
By Kathy Clark
The Jacksonville Jaguars made changes to their offensive roster this offseason. Will it be enough to propel them to a playoff run this season?
The Jaguars current roster holds the key to the success or failure of the 2019 season.
This wannabe General Manager has a spreadsheet and keeps a close watch on the roster. Players are added and subtracted frequently at this time of year, but they generally are brought to see if they provide an upgrade at a particular position.
There will be very few additions to the Jaguars 2019 roster, which currently has 90 players. Now that the draft and free agency are done, most additions will be players let go from other teams’ 90 man rosters. So what does this roster tell us about the Jaguars?
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Let’s start with the offense since it was our nemesis last season. We have four quarterbacks on the roster. Nick Foles is our free agent prize and has looked the part during OTAs and minicamp. The other three are rookie Gardner Minshew and practice squad players Alex McGough and Tanner Lee. If Foles remains healthy the upgrade is huge.
Next, take a look at the offensive line. The line was destroyed by injuries last season. We hope that was just bad luck. If it happens again we must look at practice and training methods. I counted 17 offensive linemen on the 90 man roster. The team will carry 9-10 into the season.
"Per Big Cat Country, “The original starting offensive line from last season remains largely intact…when you look at the projected starters, there is a lot of promise."
Right tackle is rookie Jawaan Taylor, left tackle is Cam Robinson, the center is Brandon Linder, the right guard is A.J. Cann, and left guard is Andrew Norwell. There will be competition from Will Richardson, Cedric Ogbuehi, and Tyler Shatley. This group looks solid.
Then we check out the tight ends. Six tight ends are on the current roster. Geoff Swain, added in free agency, is a solid blocker. Rookie Josh Oliver is our pass receiving tight end. The team will add one and possibly two others to the 53-man roster give offensive coordinator John DeFilippo a chance to be creative. Oliver is the key to the success of this group, in my opinion.
Now the wide receivers need a long look. There are 13 wide receivers are on the roster at this time.
"As written here by Lorenzino Estrada of Black and Teal, “The roster has a surplus of young receivers looking to make the leap and prove to be consistent producers for Foles: Dede Westbrook, Keelan Cole, and DJ Chark.”"
Marqise Lee should return from injury. In addition, free agent Chris Conley impressed the coaching staff during OTAs and minicamp. Keenan McCardell, the Jaguars receivers coach, was a star in the NFL and knows the ins and out of the position. If the young guys mature this group is very good.
Finally, we look at the running backs. I this is the weakest position group of the offense. An interesting issue for a run-first team but a consistent offensive line and a real quarterback should give the group a chance to excel.
There are five running backs on the roster. Leonard Fournette is the potential star if he can return to his 2017 form. Ryquell Armstead is a hard running rookie. Alfred Blue and Benny Cunningham are role players.
Next. The Jaguars wide receivers will bounce back in 2019. dark
All the offensive position groups look good on paper but 47 of the 90 players were not on the roster last season. The addition of Foles, the great looking rookie class, and the pressure to win now gives this wannabe GM hope for a much better offense in 2019.