Jaguars roster: DT Taven Bryan on the fringe ahead of training camp

With all the attention players such as quarterback Trevor Lawrence and wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. are getting ahead of training camp, it’s easy to forget defensive tackle Taven Bryan is still on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster. Will that still be the case in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL regular season?

NFL Nation on ESPN recently posted a list of players that are entering 2021 training camp on the roster bubble and Bryan popped up. Jaguars beat writer Mike DiRocco contributed to the article and says that the 2018 first-round pick hasn’t lived up to expectations over the last three years.

DiRocco notes that Bryan lost his job to undrafted rookie Doug Costin last season. He points out that even though the Florida product is one of the strongest and most physically gifted defensive linemen in Jacksonville, his “game” isn’t on par with other players’.

Later, DiRooco goes on to say that the Jags’ switching to a 3-4 defense could help Bryan, as he will be at times lining up at defensive end. He thinks this could be “the spark” that will help him finish out his rookie deal in Jacksonville.

There may not be room for Taven Bryan on the Jaguars roster in 2021.

Even though Bryan hasn’t missed time with injuries, he hasn’t had the impact the Jaguars expected when they made him the 29th overall pick of 2019’s draft. Simply, the defensive tackle has been a non-factor over his three-year career. In that span, he’s accumulated 71 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass defensed.

However you look at it, that’s not the kind of production you want from a first-round selection. Especially when you take into account that the Jaguars could have drafted quarterback Lamar Jackson or All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard instead of the defensive tackle.

Now, this isn’t the first time, Bryan has been mentioned as a candidate to be cut this offseason. Even if the team’s brass hadn’t traded for New Orleans defensive tackle Malcom Brown and drafted Jay Tufele, the former Gator hasn’t given the Jags enough reasons to keep him around. The fact they opted not to exercise the fifth-year option on his rookie deal was telling. Even if he makes the roster, he may still not contribute much on the football field.

Also, then-rookies Davon Hamilton and Doug Costion outplayed Bryan last season, so that could give the team another reason to move on from him before the regular season. Now, there’s a chance the new coaching staff helps Bryan untap his potential. Not every player becomes a contributor right out of the gate, and it’s possible that he flourishes on the Jaguars’ new defense. Nevertheless, the clock is ticking and he’s running out of chances in Jacksonville.

Will Bryan be on the Jaguars roster when they take on the Houston Texans in Week 1? Don’t rule it out but it’s difficult to believe he will convince the new regime to keep him based on his career trajectory.