Jaguars roster: Is DT Taven Bryan most likely candidate to get cut?

The Jacksonville Jaguars added reinforcements to their defensive front this offseason. However, the work isn’t over yet, and may need to move on from a few players in order to complete the turnaround. Based on all the acquisitions the Jags made in free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft, fourth-year defensive tackle Taven Bryan may be the odd man out.

Alex Kay of Bleacher Report wrote about players that could be cut this offseason and thinks that Bryan is a candidate to get the pink slip. He points out that the Florida product is one of the Jaguars’ biggest misses in recent years, as he has failed to perform like a first-round talent.

Kay mentions that although Bryan hasn’t missed a game, he’s never played more than 50 percent of Jacksonville’s total snaps on defense in any year, and has failed to make an impact in his limited time on the field. Kay also argues that even though the Jaguars won’t save much cap space if they release the defensive tackle, they could use his roster spot for someone with more upside.

This isn’t news if you are a Jacksonville Jaguars fan.

The Jags’ defense couldn’t generate pressure nor stop opposing offenses from running the ball last year, so the team made it a point of emphasis to revamp the defensive tackle position in the offseason, trading for Malcom Brown and taking Jay Tufele in the fourth round of this year’s selection meeting.

Also, Doug Costin and DaVon Hamilton showed flashes last season, so the Jaguars’ brass may be tempted to give them another look in training camp and see if the duo can keep trending up in 2021. This means that there may not be room for Bryan and it might be a matter of time before he walks the plank.

Jacksonville won’t likely release Bryan before training camp, so the defensive tackle could have one last chance to leave a good impression in the new regime. The Jags could also place him in the trading block and see if another team is interested in him. After all, he was a first-round selection in 2018, and having that kind of pedigree will help him score an opportunity with a team that is willing to see if they can untap his potential.

The Jags have given Bryan many opportunities but he’s running out of time. Although there’s always a chance he finally becomes the player this Jacksonville team expected in 2018, the odds of that happening aren’t currently encouraging.