3 Jaguars players not named Nathan Rourke whose stock got a boost vs. the Cowboys

• Jaguars CB Gregory Junior came up bit with a couple of plays

• Yasir Abdullah could challenge for the No. 3 spot in pass rush rotation

• WR Jacob Harris made a strong impression

Jun 13, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA;  Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Gregory Junior (34).
Jun 13, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Gregory Junior (34). / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next

No. 2 Jaguars player whose stock went up vs. the Cowboys: Tank Bigsby, RB

Running back Travis Etienne got a light workload against the Cowboys but that was expected. The Clemson Tiger had nothing to prove and the Jags need to limit his playing time as much as possible to ensure he's 100 percent for the opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

Once the coaching staff had seen enough of Etienne, they plugged rookie Tank Bigsby into the lineup. A third-round pick in this year's draft, Bigsby had gotten lots of praise from coaches and teammates in training camp. He showed it was warranted against the Cowboys, toting the rock nine times for 42 yards. Although he looked a bit indecisive at times, he put on display the downhill speed that made him a collegiate star at Auburn.

On the first depth chart the team released, Bigsby was listed as No. 2 behind Etienne, and it's hard to see that changing if he continues to play like that against the Detroit Lions in Week 2 of the preseason.

Sophomore Snop Cooner got the second-most carries among Jaguars running back against the Cowboys with seven. However, he wasn't nearly as effective as Bigsby, mustering a measly, 2.1 yards every time he got the ball.

D'Ernest Johnson, who signed a one-year deal with the Jags in free agency, also made the most of his chances, tallying five carries for 31 yards. However, it was Bigsby the one that stole the show for the Jaguars.

Back when the Jaguars picked Bigsby, it seemed unnecessary as they were stacked at running back. Three months later, the decision looks much better, as the Jags added yet another weapon to an offense already loaded with lots of talent.