3 things to keep an eye on when the Jaguars play the Lions in Preseason Week 2
• Which receiver will separate himself from the bunch?
• How will the pass rush fare against the Lions' 2nd team?
How will the Jaguars pass rush do vs. The Lions' offensive line?
The regular season is around the corner and the pass rush remains the Jaguars' biggest question mark. Granted, they have a promising tandem in outside linebacker Josh Allen and Travon Walker. However, they don't have much depth behind him. Although they re-signed defensive end Dawuane Smoot, he's still recovering from the Achilles tear he suffered last year. He's currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list and might need a bit more of time before he can be counted on.
Outside linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson entered training camp as the No. 3 pass rusher in the rotation but he has been unremarkable. Against the Cowboys, he was unspectacular and if he doesn't show out in Week 2, he could be at risk of tumbling down the depth chart.
Meanwhile, rookie Yasir Abdullah flashed in his preseason debut, totaling three tackles and one sack against Dallas. If he can build on last year's performance against the Lions, he could get ahead of Chaisson on the depth chart.
A lot of teams are going to regret letting Yasir Abdullah fall to the fifth round in the draft
— Dalton Pence (@dpence_) August 12, 2023
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Also, third-year outside linebacker Jordan Smith could be battling for a roster spot. This game could end up being a huge factor on whether he hangs around or gets the pink slip before the start of the 2023 season.
As noted before, the Lions will sit their starters, so the Jaguars' defense will face their second and third-team offensive line. This could be a prime opportunity for the Jacksonville pass rush to make an impression.