Jaguars 53-man roster prediction before final preseason game
There will be a few yet important changes on the Jaguars offense
Heading into Week 3 of the preseason, most starting jobs are set but there are a couple of position battles going on. One is at right tackle, where incumbent Jawaan Taylor is trying to fend off sophomore Walker Little. Meanwhile, veteran Tyler Shatley is competing with third-year pro Ben Bartch for the starting job at left guard.
Quarterbacks (2) Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Beathard
Trevor Lawrence is entrenched as the starting quarterback for the Jaguars and barring injury, C.J. Beathard won’t see the field in 2022. Jake Luton, who is in his third stint in Jacksonville, hasn’t done much in the offseason, so will likely get the boot on cutdown day.
The Jaguars’ coaching staff seems to be high on undrafted rookie E.J. Perry but he currently looks like a candidate for the practice squad. If the Jags need a quarterback in the season, they can promote the Brown product to the active roster.
Running backs (4) James Robinson, Travis Etienne, Snoop Conner, and Ryquell Armstead
Before training camp, it looked like Snoop Conner and Ryquell Armstead would be locked in a close battle for the No. 3 running back on the depth chart but the former has gotten a bigger workload and seems poised to be the main backup behind James Robinson and Travis Etienne.
Robinson is expected to be back for Week 1 after tearing his Achilles last season. Similarly, Etienne is 100 percent healthy after suffering a Lisfranc injury in the preseason last year. Both of them will be part of a backfield committee.
Wide receivers (6) Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, Marvin Jones Jr., Jamal Agnew, Laviska Shenault Jr., Laquon Treadwell
The first four wide receiver spots on the depth chart are set. Jamal Agnew has progressively gotten more work after suffering a season-ending hip injury last year. Besides handling return duties, he will get a few targets and will be the No. 4 receiver behind Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Marvin Jones Jr.
Barring a last-minute trade, Laviska Shenault Jr. makes the cut, and so does Laquon Treadwell, who will get a roster spot over Tim Jones and Jeff Cotton Jr. As the saying goes, better go with the devil you know.
Tight ends (4) Evan Engram, Dan Arnold, Chris Manhertz, Luke Farrell
No controversy here. Both Evan Engram and Dan Arnold will be heavily involved in Doug Pederson’s tight end-friendly offense while Manhertz will get snaps in red-zone and short-yardage situations. Luke Farrell will get a few snaps every now and then.
Offensive linemen (9) Cam Robinson, Ben Bartch, Luke Fortner, Brandon Scherff, Walker Little, Jawaan Taylor, Tyler Shatney, Cole Van Linen, Will Richardson
Most of the spots on the Jaguars’ offensive line are earmarked. Cole Van Lanen should make the roster even though he just joined the team. Although Richardson has been dealing with an ankle injury, he should also be on the roster come Week 1.