The 2025 NFL Draft will take center stage the next three weeks, but that doesn't mean there's a shortage of storylines surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars. Sure, things slowed down a bit after free agency faded, but the team has been putting in plenty of work behind the scenes.
For instance, Liam Coen is focused on helping Trevor Lawrence fix his mechanics and footwork. And while rules forbid limits the amount of work players can get at this stage of the offseason, it's clear that the new head coach has identified the things they must fix. With that in mind, here's a look as some news involving the Jags.
The Jaguars begin offseason activities
The Jaguars oficially began offseason activities April 8 and will hold a veteran workout April 21-23. While most teams will begin offseason activities until April 21, Jacksonville (and a few other teams) got an early start because they have a new head coach.
It's important to stress that the Jags won't be practicing routes or doing any kind of on-field work. Instead, the focus will be on meetings, strength and conditioning, and rehab. Basically, the coaching staff and players will have the chance to get know each other better before the draft. Here's what the collective bargaining agreement has to say about voluntary minicap for veteran players prior to the NFL Draft.
"Any voluntary minicamp for veteran players must be conducted prior to the NFL Draft (April 24-26), but not earlier than week three of the club's offseason workout program and after at least one week of the two weeks of Phase One activities that the clubs may hold pursuant to Article 21. This year, five clubs will hold volunatry veteran minicamps."
After the draft, the Jaguars will meet for Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on May 19, May 21-22, May 27, May 29-30, and June 2-25. They will then host a mandatory minicamp June 10.12.
All teams can conduct as many as 10 days of OTAs. During his phase, live contact is forbidded, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permited. This allows coaching staffs to install the playbook and practice certain plays.
If any club were to break the rules, they'll be docked with an OTA session the following year. This happened to the Jaguars during the lone season Urban Meyer was the head coach in 2021.
Jaguars assign new numbers
This don't get much buzz, but giving players the chance to pick their numbers is meaningful. Some choose numbers based on players they look up to or because they have a special meaning for them. Either way, the Jaguars announced that they've issued new numbers for their free-agent signigns and a few returning players.
Here are the highlights:
- CB Jourdan Lewis - No. 2
- WR Dyami Brown - No. 5
- QB Nick Mullens - No. 12
- DB Eric Murray - No. 29
- RG Patrick Mekari - No. 65
- OC Robert Hainsay . No. 74
- OL Chuma Edoga - No. 55
- TE Johnny Mundt - No. 81
- TE Hunter Long - No. 84
- OT Fred Johnson - No. 74
Moreover, the following returning players will switch numbers in 2025:
- LB Devin Lloyd will switch to No. 0 after wearing No. 33 the past three years.
- WR Gabe Davis wore No. 0 last year but will switch to No. 13 in 2025.
- WR Louis Rees-Zammit is picking No. 88 after wearing No. 84 last year.
The Jaguars are projected to draft Mason Graham at No. 5 but what about Round 2?
Unlike last year when there was chatter that the Jaguars could trade up from No. 17 (they ended up moving down), there haven't been many rumors about them trading up in 2025. This is mostly in due to the fact that they'll have several options with the No. 5 draft pick.
If the Jaguars stay put, the consensus thinks they'll select defensive tackle Mason Graham. What the experts don't agree on is who'll be their second round pick. Chad Reuter of NFL Media sees them rolling with Maxwerll Hairston while Mel Kiper Jr. believes they'll go with wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.