3 Jaguars rookies playing like starters heading into the 2024 NFL season

It's taken a bit, but the Jacksonville Jaguars are getting steady production from their 2023 NFL draft class. Last year, only right tackle Anton Harrison, and defensive back Antonio Johnson made an impact. However, wide receiver Parker Washington and running back Tank Bigsby are poised to have bigger roles next season.

Washington had a 73-yard return in the preseason opener and hauled in a 25-yard touchdown reception against the Buccaneers. Whether it's on special teams or offense, the former Penn State Nittany Lion has done enough to earn more playing time in 2024. The same is true for Bigsby.

The former Auburn Tiger was expected to form a dynamic backfield tandem alongside Travis Etienne but instead had an underwhelming rookie campaign. Besides averaging a measly 2.8 yards per carry, he was responsible for mistakes that directly led to turnovers. Two of them came in the season opener and the other against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. Either way, the Georgia native looks like a whole different player.

Bigsby's confidence is back. He's shown it in the preseason, toting the rock 13 times for 65 yards. This looks even more impressive when you take into account that 62 of those yards have come after contact.

But as promising as Washington and Bigsby have looked, the Jaguars' rookie class is also poised to make noise. General manager Trent Baalke said during the broadcast of Preseason Week 2 that the team is taking a different approach with first-year players, getting them acclimated and ready to contribute from Day 1.

This begs the question, which Jaguars rookies have taken advantage of the Jaguars' new approach? These three most certainly come to mind.

Brian Thomas Jr., wide receiver

Unless you're a quarterback, you're expected to make an impact right out of the gate. And even then, more and more first-year passers are becoming Day 1 starters. In the case of Brian Thomas Jr., the coaching staff could've brought him along slowly because their wide receiver corps is loaded with proven commodities such as Christian Kirk, Devin Duvernay, and Gabe Davis.

Add the presence of tight end Evan Engram, and the Jags weren't in a rush to thrust Thomas into action. However, he's steadily improved and has routinely flashed the deep-threat capability that made him a mainstay of the LSU offense.

Thomas, the 23rd overall selection in this year's draft, got off to a rough start to training camp but got much better as days passed. Then, the preseason came and he reeled in a 41-yard catch against the Kansas City Chiefs in the preseason opener. The Louisiana native had a more modest outing against the Buccaneers but still managed to catch a 13-yard reception.

All things considered, it looks like letting Calvin Ridley walk in free agency and replacing him with Thomas was the right call.

Maason Smith, defensive tackle

The Jaguars raised eyebrows when they drafted Maason Smith with the 42nd overall pick. After all, they had just signed Arik Armstead in free agency. Moreover, they had DaVon Hamilton and Roy Robertson-Harris in the mix, so the selection appeared to be unnecessary.

Fast forward to the preseason and Smith is behind his veteran counterparts on the depth chart. Having said that, he's quickly validating the team's decision to overlook other positions on draft day.

Smith has shown pass rush potential in the preseason, logging two quarterback hurries on 41 defensive snaps. As Daniel Griffis of Sports Illustrated points out, his pass-rush win rate of 30.8 percent against the Buccaneers was the highest among Jaguars defenders.

Even though Smith won't have a featured role for the Jags early in his rookie season, he should earn plenty of snaps in their interior rotation. Don't be surprised if he starts a couple games late in 2024.

Jarrian Jones, cornerback

Even though Jarrian Jones hasn't been as flashy as Brian Thomas Jr. or Maason Smtih in the preseason, he's more than held his own. He's appeared in a total of 64 defensive snaps and given up a reasonable 62.5 percent completion rate in two games. What stands out is that he hasn't been burnt deep, allowing an impressive 6.0 yards per catch. Add the fact that he's posted an 84.3 Pro Football Focus tackling grade, and the former Florida State is playing like a seasoned veteran.

Granted, Tyson Campbell and Ronald Darby are the starters at cornerback, but Jones is showing he's ready to step up if called upon.

It's also worth noting that the Magee, Mississippi native has routinely stood out in the offseason and training camp, so his preseason performance shouldn't come as a surprise. If anything, he should get better as the year progresses.

Sure, Jones will have the ups and downs that come with being a rookie but he's done enough to validate Jacksonville's decision to address the cornerback position until Round 3 of the draft.

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