4 Jaguars players at risk of tumbling down the depth chart in training camp
• A third-year WR hasn't been able to stand out
• The Jags' LB corps is crowded ahead of the 2023 season
Players try to make an impression during offseason workouts but teams truly begin to make an assessment until the pads go on. Coincidentally, the Jacksonville Jaguars will have live contact Tuesday, the sixth day of training camp.
Padded practices will give players a great opportunity to rise their stock ahead of the preseason. In fact, some have already started to turn heads. Conversely, others have failed to stand out, and if they don't gain ground in the upcoming days, they could find themselves tumbling down the depth chart. Here are four of those players.
No. 4 player at risk of tumbling down in Jaguars depth chart: Caleb Johnson
The Jaguars revamped their linebacker corps last year but they thought there was still room for improvement and drafted Ventrell Miller in the fourth round this past April. Following the addition of the former Florida Gator, the unit seems to be in great shape.
Foyesade Oluokun and sophomore Devin Lloyd are poised to start while Chad Muma is a strong candidate to be the primary backup at the position. There's also veteran Shaquille Quarterman, who has become a core contributor on special teams and should have a favorable chance of making the 53-man roster. That could potentially leave Caleb Johnson as the odd man out.
Johnson, an undrafted free agent in 2021, spent his rookie campaign with the Chicago Bears and was waived just before the beginning of the 2022 season. The Jags proceeded to claim him and he went on to appear in all 17 games, mainly on special teams.
By all accounts, Johnson has had a solid offseason but he's been unremarkable. Meanwhile, rookie Ventrell Miller has showcased the athleticism that made him a star at Florida even though he underwent surgery to repair a bone fracture earlier this year.
If the Jaguars weren't so stacked at linebacker, Johnson would have a stronger chance to make the team solely by carving a niche on special teams. But that's not the case and unless he makes a strong impression, he might have an uphill battle to make the team.