While it’s difficult to keep a team together due to the salary cap, it’s kind of surprising how quickly the Jacksonville Jaguars dismantled the defense that helped them reach the AFC Championship game in 2017. Although the cupboard wasn’t totally bare last season, the Jags didn’t have many playmakers on either side of the ball and without much talent, it’s hard to compete in the NFL.
That’s why the team’s brass used all the draft picks and cap space former general manager David Caldwell hoarded to replenish a roster that was in serious need of a makeover. Not every move will have an impact but there’s no doubt the Jags’ have more talent than they had at this point last year. In fact, some positional groups may be a bit too crowded and players that would otherwise make the roster will get a visit by the Turk.
Without further ado, here are the hardest cuts the Jaguars may need to make in 2021.
Jacksonville Jaguars hardest incoming cut No. 1 – DE Lerentee McCray
Defensive end Lerentee McCray joined the Jaguars in 2017. Before that, he spent time with the Denver Broncos, the Green Bay Packers, and Buffalo Bills. The Florida product has appeared in 72 since 2015 and has logged 26 total tackles, two tackles for a loss, and 2.5 sacks during his stint in Jacksonville. Although he’s never made a start in his NFL career, he’s been a mainstay of the Jags’ special teams and was named captain in 2018.
McCray opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. After all the additions the Jaguars made this offseason to the defensive front, the former Gator may not be part of the team’s 53-man roster.
Jacksonville Jaguars hardest incoming cut No. 2 – Safety Andrew Wingard
Along with left tackle and tight end, safety was one of the Jaguars’ biggest needs early this year. The team’s brass knew it, so they invested heavily in the position this offseason. First, they signed Rayshawn Jenkins and Rudy Ford in free agency. They later used a third-round pick in this year’s draft on Andre Cisco.
Heading into training camp, safety might not be a strength but it’s not a weakness either. Keep in mind that Jarrod Wilson was one of the best Jaguars’ defenders last season and then-rookie Daniel Thomas showed promise before an arm injury cut his 2020 season short.
It’s currently uncertain how many safeties the Jags will carry into the season but the magic number may be five. That means Jenkins, Ford, Thomas, Wilson, and Cisco should be part of the team’s 53-man roster. This could make Andrew Wingard the odd man out.
The Wyoming product signed with the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2019. As a rookie, he mainly played on special teams, appearing on 73 percent of the team’s total snaps. However, his playing time on defense went significantly up last season. After logging 185 defensive snaps in 2019, he had 561 in 2020.
Wingard’s best performance last year came in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts. In that game, he snagged an interception and registered six total tackles, three tackles for a loss, and one pass defensed. Will he be in Jacksonville in 2021?
Jacksonville Jaguars hardest incoming cut No. 3 – WR Laquon Treadwell
There’s no denying players who were once selected in the first round of the draft are granted way more chances than those who were picked late. This approach kind of makes sense. Whether it was their mesmerizing skillset or their elite athleticism, there’s a reason why they were selected so early in the process. One example that comes to mind is that of former Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Laquon Treadwell.
The Mississippi product was the 23rd overall pick in 2016’s draft. Looking back, this one may still sting Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, as he could’ve taken All-Pro Michael Thomas or Tyler Boyd but opted for Treadwell instead. The Illinois native was a non-factor in his rookie campaign, hauling in a measly one reception for 15 yards! Things didn’t get much better the following years.
The Vikes released Treadwell in 2019 and brought him back before the season started and gave him one last opportunity to show he could be a difference-maker. However, he didn’t do much with his opportunity, so they moved on from him last season. The wide receiver then joined the Falcons. He hauled in a career-high two touchdowns but caught just six passes. That kind of production won’t cut in most places. Nevertheless, the Jaguars signed him this offseason.
If the third time is indeed the charm, Treadwell could turn the corner in Jacksonville but there may not be room for him in a wide receiver unit that includes DJ Chark Jr., Laviska Shenault Jr., Marvin Jones Jr., Collin Johnson, and Phillip Dorsett.
Jacksonville Jaguars hardest incoming cut No. 4 – DT Doug Costin
Just like most players on this list, second-year defensive tackle Doug Costin may not get a fair shot. Last season, they thrust him into the starting lineup because they had nobody else to turn to.
The former RedHawk appeared in 12 games with nine starts and played 41 percent of the team’s total snaps on defense. He logged 32 total tackles, three for a loss and two passes defensed. While that kind of production doesn’t scream First-Team All-Pro, it’s pretty good, especially when you take into account he went undrafted last offseason.
You would think that Costin should be guaranteed a starting job after holding his own in 2020. However, he was part of a defense that ranked 31st in total yards and points allowed. Moreover, the team’s brass made upgrades to most positions this offseason, and defensive tackle was no exception.
The Jags traded for defensive tackle Malcom Brown and took Jay Tufele in Round 3 of this year’s draft. DaVon Hamilton is also healthy after suffering a knee injury that cut his rookie season short. Then, there’s former first-round pick Taven Bryan, whom the coaching staff seems to like.
Brown will most likely start and Hamilton will also play a big role in 2021 after showing flashes last year. Tufele might have a bigger ceiling than Costin. There’s no way the team would cut him after having just drafted him, so the sophomore defensive tackle’s days in Jacksonville may be numbered.
Jacksonville Jaguars hardest incoming cut No. 5 – TE Ben Ellenson
Wait a minute! How can the Jaguars show Ben Ellefson the door if tight end is arguably the weakest positional group heading into training camp? Because he may be a victim of the numbers game.
After opting not to exercise the team option on Tyler Eifert’s contract earlier this year, it looked like the Jags were poised to throw a bag of cash to Jonnu Smith or Hunter Henry in free agency. Instead, they signed Chris Manhertz and brought back veteran James O’Shaugnessy. Furthermore, the team’s brass drafted Luke Farrell in Round 5 of 2021’s selection meeting.
Despite the fact that Manherts has 12 career receptions, head coach Urban Meyer thinks he can develop into a functional receiver. O’Shaughnessy will deliver when called upon but he’s better suited for a backup role. Farrell could also become a solid NFL tight end but he’s a project at this stage of his career.
If the Jaguars don’t have an answer at tight end, why would they Ellefson, who has earned praise from Meyer and the previous coaching staff? Tim Tebow. After last playing in a regular-season game in 2012, the Flordia product is attempting a comeback in the NFL… with a caveat. He is making the switch from quarterback to tight end.
Tebow is 33 and has been out of the league for a long time while Ellefson is barely entering his second season in the NFL. You would think this would give the latter an edge but the former has a tight relationship with the Jaguars head coach. Also, Meyer values Tebow’s leadership. That could leave Ellefson without a spot on the final 53-man roster.