5 biggest winners and 4 losers from Jaguars' shutout win in preseason finale

The Jacksonville Jaguars played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3 of the preseason. Although they sat out virtually every starter, the game turned out to be plenty fun. The defense dominated, and the special teams scored a touchdown. Even though the offense didn't stand out as much, several players stood out. In the end, the Jags won 19-0.

The team's brass will now focus on trimming down the roster before cutdown day. It's worth noting that this is the last time several players will get extended playing time in a while. A handful of players most definitely made the most of their chances, but it ultimately won't be enough to get the nod. Still, it was encouraging to see them give their all until the last second.

With this in mind, here are the biggest winners and losers from Jacksonville's shutout win over the Bucs.

5 Biggest winners from the Jaguars' shutout win vs. the Buccaneers

Michael Wortham, wide receiver

The game was nearing its end, but Michael Wortham gave everyone a reason to keep watching with his electrifying return for a touchdown.

After the game, head coach Liam Coen that Wortham began to show up in the joint practice in the joint practice against the Carolina Panthers. It's fair to say that he finished the preseason on a strong note and should be a hot commodity on the waiver wire.

Wesley Williams, defensive end

Wesley Williams left his best for the Buccaneers game. After a quiet preseason, the rookie out of Duke showed in a big way in the finale when he scooped up a fumble.

Keep in mind that Williams wasn't bad in the preseason. Instead, he lacked big plays. He got one against Tampa Bay.

Bryan Thomas Jr., defensive end

Wesley Williams wasn't the only rookie defensive end who rocked in the preseason finale. Bryan Thomas Jr. had two sacks and could have had three if one wasn't called back due to a holding penalty.

Already, Thomas Jr.'s stock was soaring before the game. Now, he should be a good bet to make the 53-man roster.

As head coach Liam Coen said after the game, Thomas has a gift to rush the quarterback and will make things difficult for Jacksonville when sorting out the roster.

Hunter Long, tight end

Hunter Long was seen as a cut candidate in the offseason but was given a chance to compete for a roster spot in the preseason. He did make one play that should help him get the attention of teams in need of a tight end on the waiver wire.

Early in the first half, Nick Mullens found Long for a 34-yard gain. He finished the game with two catches for 47 yards. Not bad for a tight end that didn't get many chances to make an impression.

Unfortunately, that won't be enough for Hutner to make the team. Still, it was good to see him be locked on when he could have just gone through the motions.

Nick Mullens, quarterback

Nick Mullens didn't have a jaw-dropping performance in the finale. However, he was solid for the second week in a row, going 5-of-7 for 62 yards. Even when you don't take his bomb to Hunter Long into account, he delivered.

4 biggest losers from the Jaguars' shutout win in the preseason finale

Trebor Pena, wide receiver

Even though Trebor Pena wasn't outright bad, he didn't do anything out of the ordinary either, finishing with just three receptions for 19 yards on six targets. Had the undrafted rookie had a stronger showing, maybe he would have made things difficult for the Jags.

That said, Pena remains an intriguing talent and will probably hit the waiver wire. If he does, teams in need of help at receiver might kick the tires on him.

Quintin Morris, tight end

While Hunter Long managed to boost his stock in the finale, Quintin Morris wasn't able to do much of note, registering just one reception for two yards on two targets.

Early in the offseason, Morris might have gotten the nod over Long if Jacksonville carried four tight ends next season. But after an unremarkable preseason, he may have trouble sticking around in Duval in 2026.

Kilian Zierer, offensive lineman

Kilian Zierer got the start at left tackle. It was his last time to make an impression, and he came up short. Leaving aside that the former Auburn Tiger drew a holding penalty that negated a holding penalty that negated a 10-yard gain by wide receiver Austin Trammell, he gave up three total pressures and two sacks.

Zierer may have had a chance to land on the practice squad but it went up in smoke in the finale.

DeeJay Dallas, running back

Even though DeeJay Dallas had several chances throughout the preseason, he wasn't able to capitalize on them. The finale was no different. The former Miami Hurricane did break off a 14-yard run, but it didn't help in the end, as he averaged a paltry 2.3 yards per carry.

With cutdown day looming, Dallas is firmly on the outside looking in. Granted, undrafted rookie J'Mari Taylor also had an average of 3.7 yards per carry, not much better, but he probably won't make the cut either.

In fact, veteran Ameer Abdullah may have a better chance of getting the nod over Dallas and Taylor.

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