The 2021 NFL season is inching closer and the Jacksonville Jaguars will have to make a few tough decisions when choosing who will make the 53-man roster.
The Jacksonville Jaguars just like every other NFL team, have undergone two rounds of roster cuts over the last few days and are now down to 80 players. On Tuesday, they announced they waived defensive tackle Kenny Randall, cornerback Jameson Houston, and offensive lineman Derwin Gray. Furthermore, they placed rookie running back Travis Etienne on the Injured/Reserve list. On August 31st, they will have to make another cutdown to get their roster to 53 players.
While there’s a good amount of players that are locks to make the team, there are others that are on the fringe. Keep in mind that the Jaguars are loaded at some positions (wide receiver, edge rusher, safety) and there will be a few contributors that won’t make the cut due to the depth they have in those units.
Players such as wide receiver Tavon Austin entered the preseason as an afterthought but have made the most of their opportunities. The fact that running back Travis Etienne is out for the year and linebacker Joe Schobert is no longer with the team after being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers will help a couple of players make the team.
The coaching staff will have one last chance to evaluate their current players one last time when they fly to Texas to take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3 of the preseason.
Here’s the Jaguars’ 53-man roster final prediction.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have several returning players on offense.
There will be a few new faces on offense, but a good chunk of their 2020 starters are back. Travis Etienne’s absence will open an extra roster spot.
Quarterbacks (3): Trevor Lawrence, Gardner Minshew, and C.J. Beathard.
Some teams like to carry just two quarterbacks into the season but the Jaguars should err on the side of caution and carry three. Even if that means devoting another roster spot to the position.
Running backs (3) James Robinson, Carlos Hyde, and Dare Ogunbowale.
The Jaguars could keep Davine Ozigbo or Nathan Cotrell in the practice squad and promote them if they need an extra running back on game day.
Wide receivers (7) DJ Chark Jr, Laviska Shenault Jr, Marvin Jones, Jamal Agnew, Collin Johnson, Laquon Treadwell, Tavon Austin
Travis Etienne’s absence from the 53-man roster could help the Jaguars with the logjam they are facing at wide receiver. Both Laquon Treadwell and Tavon Austin could help the team in 2021, so why not keep both? If Jacksonville didn’t have so much depth at the position, veteran Phillip Dorsett would have no trouble making the cut.
Tight ends (4) Chris Manhertz, Ben Ellefson, Luke Farrell, James O’Shaughnessy
Tim Tebow is no longer on the roster after struggling with the transition to tight end. Ben Ellefson had a solid training camp. He should have a clear path to make the team.
Offensive linemen (9): Cam Robinson, Brandon Linder, Andrew Norwell, A.J. Cann, Jawaan Taylor, Tyler Shatley, Will Richardson, Ben Bartch, Walker Little.
The Jaguars’ offensive line won’t look much different in 2021. Rookie Walker Little could eventually take left tackle Cam Robinson’s spot on the lineup but he’s not ready yet.
How will the Jacksonville Jaguars defense look in 2021?
Defensive coordinator Joe Cullen has been installing a hybrid defense that will have 3-4 and 4-3 looks. The coaching staff believed Damien Wilson was a better fit for the new scheme than Joe Schobert. That’s why the latter was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Here’s how the Jags defense could look in the regular season:
Defensive tackles (4) Malcom Brown, DaVon Hamilton, Doug Costin and Jay Tufele
DaVon Hamilton picked up where he left off before he suffering a season-ending knee injury last season. He will probably start next to Malcom Brown when the team runs 4-3 sets. Taven Bryan is the odd man out. He missed most of training camp and the Jaguars’ first preseason game. Simply, he’s run out of time in Jacksonville to live up to his draft billing.
Defensive ends/EDGE rushers (6): Jihad Ward, Josh Allen, Roy Robertson-Harris, Jordan Smith, K’Lavon Chaisson, Dawuane Smoot
The Jaguars will ask their EDGE rushers to rush the pass from a two-point stance at times and others with their hand on the ground.
Linebackers (4): Myles Jack, Damien Wilson, Shaquille Quarterman, Chapelle Russell
With Joe Schobert out of the picture, Chappelle Russell’s path to making the team because more feasible. He logged a team-high two passes defensed in Week 2 of the preseason. Another solid performance in Week 3 might help him secure a roster spot.
Cornerbacks (5): Shaquill Griffin, C.J. Henderson, Tre Herndon, Sidney Jones, Tyson Campbell
After missing a good chunk of training camp, C.J. Henderson has caught up with the team and could start opposite Shaquill Griffin in the season opener. Rookie Tyson Campbell may not be ready yet. He’s allowed touchdowns in back-to-back preseason games.
Safeties (5) Andre Cisco, Rayshawn Jenkins, Daniel Thomas, Rudy Ford, Jarrod Wilson
Josh Jones has seen plenty of time with the Jaguars’ first-team defense. However, it makes more sense to keep someone like Daniel Thomas, who probably has a higher upside.
Special teams (3): Josh Lambo (kicker), Logan Cooke (punter), Ross Matiscik (long snapper)
No surprises on special teams for the Jaguars.