Takeaways from Jaguars Week 1 depth chart: Travis Etienne starting at RB

Depending on whom you ask, the Jacksonville Jaguars may or may not win more than six games in the 2022 season. On the other hand, mostly everyone agrees the Jags are better than they were last season.

Sure, the bar isn’t particularly high when you take into account that Urban Meyer left the team in shambles. But that doesn’t mean Doug Pederson’s work should be underlooked. In fact, the case could be made that hiring him is one of the best moves the organization has made in years.

Pederson has done a good job of gaining his players’ trust these past few months. Also, the Jags now look like a well-run team, which might not sound like much but it’s a big deal when you take into account that Meyer did everything He wasn’t supposed to do during his short stint in Jacksonville.

Of course, having a more talented roster should help Pederson rack up more than a few victories in 2022 and he will have his first crack when the Jags face off against the Washington Commanders in Week 1 of the regular season.

Days before the game, the Jaguars released their first official depth chart for the 2022 season and there are a few things that stood out. With that in mind, here are three takeaways.

3. Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd will start next to Foyesade Oluokun in Week 1

If the Jaguars’ brass didn’t envision Devin Lloyd starting from Day 1, they wouldn’t have traded up six spots in this year’s draft to take him 27th overall. The former Utah Ute fared well in Organized Activities but he suffered a hamstring injury in training camp that forced him to miss several practices and put his availability for Week 1 in question.

Ultimately, Lloyd bounced back and made an appearance in the preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons. Nevertheless, fellow rookie Chad Muma took advantage of his absence and made a strong case to start next to Foyesade Oluokun against the Commanders.

In fact, Doug Pederson told the media days before the season opener that Muma had earned consideration to start due to his improvement. Ultimately, Lloyd got the nod but the coaching staff could always pull him from the game if he underperforms or gets hurt again. Also, Muma will continue to lurk around waiting for a chance, so Lloyd can’t afford to get complacent.