5 Jaguars who had no business making the final 2021 roster

Jaguars player that shouldn’t have made the roster No. 5 – Taven Bryan

Keeping defensive tackle Taven Bryan was arguably the most questionable decision the Jaguars made on roster cutdown day. Sure, the Florida product was a first-round selection back in 2018 but he hasn’t done much over the last three years to justify his spot in the team over someone like Doug Costin.

Keep in mind that Costin outplayed Bryan last season and the only reason the latter kept playing was that the Jags were thin at defensive tackle. Had Bryan and DaVon Hamilton stayed healthy, the former Gator may have seen his already low playing time decrease even more. Bryan missed a good part of training back after suffering an off-field accident and being placed on the COVID-19/Reserve list. Nevertheless, the team liked his effort in the last two preseason games.

Bryan has never played more than 50 percent of the Jags’ defensive snaps in any of his three years with the team. Costin probably has more upside at this point of his career than the 29th overall pick in the 2018 draft. So why did the coaching staff decide to keep Bryan? Urban Meyer and defensive line Tosh Lupoi have spoken positively of him and like his physical tools.

In the end, the Jags kept Bryan because they think he can contribute. The clock is ticking for him though. He’s set to become a free agent next offseason, as the team declined to exercise the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Maybe Meyer is right and this is the year he turns the corner. Crazier things have happened in the NFL.