3 Jacksonville Jaguars in danger of losing their jobs after OTAs

Jaguars WR Tim Jones could on thin ice after OTAs

Wide receiver wasn't necessarily a weakness for the Jaguars in 2023. But it wasn't a strength either. While they had a couple of playmakers in Christian Kirk and Calvin Ridley, injuries to Kirk and teammate Zay Jones exposed the team's lack of depth at the position.

Not surprisingly, the Jags let Ridley walk in free agency. Granted, they got outbid by the division rival Tennessee Titans but if they really wanted him back, they would match the offer. Either way, they let the player formerly known as Agent 0 leave. Furthermore, the team's brass moved on from Jones after the draft.

On the other hand, Jacksonville signed Gabe Davis and drafted Brian Thomas Jr. to replenish their wide receiver corps. Their starting trio looks much better, at least on paper, than it did last year. Their bench also appears to be in better shape. One reason is that sophomore Parker Washington has taken several steps forward since the end of 2023.

A sixth-round pick in last year's draft, Washington was inactive several games to start the season. He later landed on Injured Reserve. He eventually came back but it wasn't until Kirk was out with a core injury that he began to get playing time. The former Penn State Nittany Lion ended the year with 16 receptions for 132 yards with one touchdown.

The coaching staff raved about Washington's progress in OTAs and he could become the primary backup at wide receiver. This may not be great news for Tim Jones, who's seen his role progressively go up the last two years.

After going undrafted in 2021, Jones had to wait until 2022 to make the Jags' 53-man roster. He pulled it off again last year. Having said that, he's not the type of player opposing coordinators will game plan for. Sure, the former Mississippi State Golden Eagle is a great blocker but you need more than that if you want to make the team and earn a consistent role.

One thing working in Jones' favor is that he mostly lines up in the boundaries, whereas Washington usually plays in the slot. Then again, the Jaguars will have a finite number of roster spots to give away, and there may not be room for Jones if the coaching staff believes Washington could contribute more in 2024.

More Jaguars analysis here: