The Jacksonville Jaguars are 4-3 heading into their BYE. They're not necessarily in panic mode but will need to work on key areas (penalties, drops, execution) if they want to make a deep playoff push.
Aside from working on fundamentals and execution, it would also help the Jags to bench a handful of underperforming players and give others a chance to show what they've got. Just recently, B&T's own Bryan Saye talked about three rookies who deserve more playing time. All three have compelling cases for more snaps, but there are also a handful of veterans who have earned bigger roles after making the most of their limited opportunities.
With this in mind, here are four Jaguars who deserve more bigger roles once they return from their BYE.
Montaric Brown, Jaguars cornerback
Montaric Brown has played just 53 percent of the team's defensive snaps, but has, without a doubt, made the most of his chances. As Dan Griffis of Action News Jax points out, he's given up just 0.46 yards per coverage snap seven weeks into the season. That's the third-best figure among NFL cornerbacks. Similarly, his forced incompletion rate of 30 percent ranks third at the position.
Now, Greg Newsome struggled in his game after being traded to Jacksonville. Similarly, Travis Hunter has more than held his own at corner. Nevertheless, keeping Brown on the sidelines wouldn't make sense. The team's brass must put him on the field as much as possible the remainder of the year.
Chuma Edoga, Jaguars offensive lineman
The Jaguars had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL earlier in the season. However, the unit has struggled in recent weeks, giving up a concerning 62 total pressures and 10 sacks the past two games. The scheme could be an issue, but players are also having a hard time doing their one. Patrick Mekari, in particular, has struggled, surrendering a whopping 14 pressures in the team's recent losses.
Meanwhile, Chuma Edoga has thrived whenever he's been given a chance. He's far from a Pro Bowl-caliber player but has shown notable improvement since joining Jacksonville in free agency. The former USC Trojan has allowed just one pressure on 29 pass blocking snaps. Granted, it's a small sample, but he's shown the capability to line up both inside and outside. Why not give him an opportunity?
Tim Patrick, Jaguars wide receiver
Matt Harmon of Yahoo! Sports unveiled a stat that proves just how much the Jaguars have struggled with drops this season. Leaving aside that they lead the league in that area, Travis Hunter is their only receiver who doesn't have a drop rate north of 10 percent this season. The coaching staff will need to find a way to fix that.
Keeping Brian Thomas Jr., Dyami Brown, and Parker Washington on the bench would most definitely send a strong message: Catch the ball, or you won't get nearly as much playing time. Of course, someone needs to line up at receiver: Enter Tim Patrick.
The sixth-year veteran has logged a drop, but he's also come through in limited opportunities, hauling in four catches for 63 yards in four targets. Throughout his career, he's been a solid No. 3, so it would be a good idea to see if he can fulfill that role in Jacksonville.
Maason Smith, Jaguars defensive tackle
Maason Smith hasn't been able to build off of his strong finish to his rookie season. However, he's still flashed at times. Before the loss to the Los Angeles Rams, his pass-rush win rate of 16.1 percent was the 10th best among interior defenders in the NFL. Given the team's inability to bring the heat, it's time the former LSU Tiger gets more playing time.
Maybe Smith doesn't practice well, or perhaps the Jaguars prefer to roll with DaVon Hamilton on early downs, but regardless of the reason, it's time to give the sophomore defensive tackle a shot.