Jaguars versus Texans game could have feature unsung heroes

Jaguars’ depth players could prove valuable for a playoff push

Heading into Week 17, the Jaguars had to decide whether they should rest some of their starters for their matchup against the Texans. Head coach Doug Pederson told the media on the days preceding the game that whoever can play will do so. This strategy has been met with some criticism.

The momentum that the Jaguars have over the last few games has proven to create optimism. Resting players could result in derailing some of the success. On the other hand, this is a great opportunity to try some things with players that don’t have tape on.

Wide receiver Tim Jones is a player that could play more of a role in the game. He hasn’t gotten much playing time as the WR4 on the depth chart. This season, Jones has played 13 percent of the team’s offensive snaps and has caught four out of four targets this year. Back in the preseason, he hauled in 14 passes on 19 targets.

Jones has proven to take advantage of the limited amount of times he has been thrown to. An increased workload against the Texans would give the coaching staff a chance to see what would happen should the injury bug hit. The team is going to have some salary cap issues in 2023 and the wide receiver corps might undergo changes, so evaluating Jones would be a good idea.

The Jaguars’ defense has been disappointing at times throughout the season. It would benefit them to ensure that they are also testing some of the depth.

If the Jaguars’ coaching staff needed an excuse to test this problem. The Jets game should have moved this up the priority chart. Depth is going to be important moving forward. The team lost defensive end Dawuane Smoot, a player that the defense can depend on to hold his own.

The defensive line has seen some adjustments for each game. With the absence of Travon Walker and Folorunso Fatukasi. Another week of rest is could help the duo for the Jaguars’ playoff push.

The bigger question mark is the nickel back position. The Jaguars’ defense has been known for not being able to cover the middle of the field. Opposing tight ends and slot receivers have torched the Jaguars every week.

Tre Herndon does not have the recovery speed to stay with these kinds of players. Making tackles 10-15 yards down the field should never be acceptable.

The player that I see that might be able to help is Gregory Junior. This game could allow the coaching staff to see what he has to offer. If Juniors’ opportunity is squandered for the Texans game. The coaching staff can go back to what they have used recently. Creating a good situation for both sides.

Fans have no reason to question the evaluation of the talent that coach Pederson has made thus far. He made some decisions to cut some of the players that would have made the roster with past regimes.