The Jacksonville Jaguars just pitched a shutdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the preseason finale. They'll now spend the next 36 hours trimming down the roster from 90 players to 53. But that's just one part of the task. Once the Jags take care of the roster, they'll need to put together their 16-man practice squad.
In case you were wondering, the practice squad is composed of players who practice and attend meetings with the rest of the team but won't suit up on game day. They can also be promoted to the active roster via standard elevation in case Jacksonville needs them. On a related note, teams can have a 17th player if he's part of the International Player Pathway Program.
One benefit of the practice squad is that it allows players to continue developing their skills if they need to. That, in turn, gives them a chance to eventually compete for a roster spot. That's precisely what linebacker Branson Combs and cornerback Jabbar Muhammad did.
Muhammad and Combs went undrafted in 2025. They didn't make the roster but landed on the practice squad. After honing their craft, both of them appear to be locks to crack the team next season.
With this in mind, here's how the Jags' practice squad could look after cutdown day.
Trebor Pena and Michael Wortham are the highlights of this Jaguars practice squad prediction
- Carter Bradley, quarterback
- Joey Aguilar, quarterback (rookie)
- Trebor Pena, wide receiver (rookie)
- Michael Wortham, wide receiver (rookie)
- J'Mari Taylor, running back (rookie)
- Sam Mustipher, offensive lineman
- Keivie Rose, defensive tackle
- Quintin Morris, tight end
- Hunter Long, tight end
- Preston Hodge, cornerback (rookie)
- Jalen McLeod, linebacker
- Jahlani Tavai, linebacker
- Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig, safety
- Christian Braswell, cornerback
- Zach Durfee, defensive end (rookie)
- Jerome Corvin, offensive lineman
Carter Bradley joined the Jags after cutdown day last year. He could eventually replace Nick Mullens as QB2 but was inconsistent in the preseason. He can keep honing his skills on the practice squad. Ditto Joey Aguilar.
Both Michael Wortham and Trebor Pena flashed massive upside in the preseason but won't make the roster because Jacksonville is stacked at receiver. They're still intriguing talents worth keeping around, nonetheless.
The Jags also have a crowded cornerback room. But Christian Braswell and Preston Hodge could provide depth in case they're hit with injuries at the position next season.
By now you may have noticed a theme, but the Jaguars are loaded at certain positions, meaning that several good players will be left out of the roster. That will certainly be the case at linebacker. Jahali Tavai made an impression during the preseason but is on the outside looking in. Similarly, Jalen McLeod wasn't able to stay healthy but is worth a spot on the practice squad, as he's flashed pass-rush potential.
Zach Durfee seemed like a candidate to make the initial 53-man roster in the preseason but disappeared in the preseason while fellow rookie pass rusher Bryan Thomas Jr. shined. That said, Durfee could develop into an intriguing rotational piece with a bit more time.
Hunter Long and Quintin Morris were on the roster last year but won't make the cut due to the presence of Nate Boerkircher and Tanner Koziol. However, the Jaguars should consider keeping them around, as they're both grizzled veterans who could contribute if needed to be thrust into action.
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