Training camp is giving the Jacksonville Jaguars a chance to assess players and start to put the roster together. One position they'll need to pay attention to is wide receiver. While Brian Thomas Jr., Dyami Brown, and Travis Hunter are at the top of the depth chart, they need to sort out the bottom half. The likes of Trenton Irwin and Joshua Cephus will have a chance to make an impression, but an undrafted rookie is also doing his best to be noticed.
Rookie wide receiver Eli Pancol had two red-zone touchdown grabs on Day 3 of training camp, according to Jordan De Lugo of Generation Jaguar.
Eli Pancol with two RZ TD grabs today
— Jordan de Lugo (@jordandelugo) July 25, 2025
Not only that, Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report drew up a list of one undrafted free agent for every team with the best chance to make the roster and picked Pancol for Jacksonville, noting that he has the physical traits to provide depth.
"Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter and Dyami Brown have the potential to be an electric trio, with none of the three being older than 25," Soblenski wrote. "Beyond that point, someone will need to establish themselves as a potential target."
Sobleski continued, "Eli Pancol has as good of a chance as any considering his physical upside. He led the Duke Blue Devils last season with 66 receptions and nine touchdown grabs. Furthermore, he's a near 6'2" target with 4.40-second 40-yard-dash speed, which fits alongside Thomas and Brown, who have similar traits."
Pancol went undrafted despite the fact that he ran an unofficial 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the Duke Pro Day and posted a team-best 60 receptions for 798 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024. A big reason is that he dealt with injuries in 2022 and 2023.
The former Blue Devil was one of four receivers the Jags signed as free agents after the draft. The other three were J.J. Jones, Chandler Brayboy, and Dorian Singer.
It's worth noting that this isn't the first time Pancol has gotten the spotlight, though. He was dubbed an undrafted free agent with a chance to make the roster at least a couple times in the offseason.
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Why Eli Pancol has a chance to make the Jaguars 53-man roster
As noted before, three roster spots are virtually earmarked for Brian Thomas Jr., Dyami Brown, and Travis Hunter. Parker Washington is a strong candidate to get the fourth. Not only can he line up in the slot, where he filled in for Christian Kirk in 2024, but can also contribute in the return game. That potentially leaves two spots up for grabs.
Veteran Trent Irwin could get the nod by virtue of having experience. He was thrust into action and fared well when the Cincinnati Bengals were struck by the injury bug. The last spot could go to whoever can play special teams, but making a strong impression in training camp and preseason will also be key.
In Eli Pancol's case, if he wants to make the team, he'll need to beat his fellow undrafted rookies, Austin Trammel and Joshua Cephus. Based on his strong outing on Day 3 of training camp and his physical skills, he may have a shot. It may or may not pull it off, but he won't go away without a fight.