Early in the offseason, cornerback appeared to be a need for the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, they ended up putting together a well-rounded unit. Although Greg Newsome left in free agency, Montaric Brown returned on a three-year deal. It also helped that Travis Hunter will tentatively play defense full-time next season. With Jourdan Lewis and Jarrian Jones in the mix, the Jags should feel good about their depth at the position. Heck, the bottom half of the depth also looks pretty.
Sophomore Jabbar Muhammad is one of the most improved players on the whole team after going undrafted last year. Fourth-year veteran Christian Braswell is also still around and will not go down without a fight.
When you add it all up, undrafted rookies Devon Marshall and Preston Hodge could have an uphill battle to make the initial 53-man roster despite the fact that they flashed in the offseason program.
Preston Hodge and Devon Marshall could have trouble making the Jaguars roster
Preston Hodge was a playmaker at Colorado, registering 21 passes defensed and three interceptions in 21 games. On the other hand, Devon Marshall showcased great instincts and recognition skills back at North Carolina State. The reason neither one of them heard their name in the draft was that they lacked ideal athleticism and depth.
But despite their shortcomings, both Hodge and Marshall made a positive impression at OTAs. The issue, of course, is that contact was forbidden, so they didn't have to worry about getting hit. Moreover, they mostly practiced with the second and third team, so it's fair to wonder how they'll fare once the pads go on in training camp and against the starters.
And that's the thing, Christian Braswell didn't stand out nearly as much as either Hodge or Marshall, but that's because he went against the first team, not second or third-stringers.
It will be up to Hodge and Marshall to prove that they can also perform well against top-tier competition when they get their chance in training camp.
The Jaguars will give Preston Hodge and Devon Marshall a chance to compete
Now, it wouldn't be shocking to see an undrafted free agent make the initial 53. Just last year, defensive ends Danny Striggow and B.J. Green II got the nod, and both of them are still around. That said, Jacksonville's pass rush needed depth at the time, while their cornerback group is currently in pretty good shape.
This doesn't mean that Preston Hodge and Devon Marshall won't have a shot. They will, it's just that Christian Braswell has the edge by virtue of being the veteran, while Jabbar Muhammad was the star of training camp.
But even if one of them stands out, it's hard to see both of them making the team. If anything, landing in the practice squad may be the most realistic expectation for both Devon Marshall and Preston Hodge. There, they'll be able to keep honing their skills and put themselves in a position to make a bid for a roster spot next season. That's the path Jabbar Muhammad walked, and it's worked out just fine for him.
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