4 Jaguars players whose roster spot is in danger ahead of training camp

The Jacksonville Jaguars should feel great ahead of training camp. After addressing most of their needs in the offseason, it doesn't seem like they have a glaring weakness. Sure, they need to sort out a handful of position groups, but they should have no trouble getting it done.

After all, the Jags don't have many starting jobs open. On the other hand, several roster spots will be up for grabs, and these five players could have a hard time securing one unless they shine in training camp.

Blake Hance, offensive tackle

Last year, injuries put the Jaguars' depth at offensive tackle to test. Cam Robinson, Walker Little, and left guard Ezra Cleveland all took turns at the position. At one point, they were down to their fourth-stringer Blake Hance.

To nobody's surprise, Hance was overwhelmed, giving up a concerning 11 pressures on just 84 pass-blocking snaps. He wasn't much better in the run-blocking department, registering a Pro Football Focus score of 10.0. But despite his struggles, the Jags re-sign him in free agency. Then again, he could be a victim of the numbers game.

The Jaguars could've released Cam Robinson in free agency and freed up $17 million in space, but the expectation is that he'll play in Jacksonville next season. Walker Little is also back, and to bolster the depth at offensive tackle, the front office drafted Javon Foster. The surplus at the position could make Hance expendable.

After going undrafted in 2019, Hance signed with the Buffalo Bills. However, he was released just a few weeks later. He promptly latched onto the Washington Commanders for a few months and later joined the Jags before the start of the regular season.

Hance went on to spend the 2019 season on the Jags' practice squad. He was released the following year and had stints with the New York Jets, the Cleveland Browns, and the San Francisco 49ers before returning to Jacksonville in November 2022. It was during his year with the Browns that the former Northwestern Wildcat saw his most extensive playing time, appearing in all 17 games with eight starts.

Hance might've benefitted from getting playing time last year. That said, he looks like a long shot to earn a roster spot with the Jaguars next season. The best-case scenario for him would be to land in their practice squad.

Tevaughn Campbell, cornerback

The Jaguars released Darious Williams in the offseason and also let Tre Herndon and Chris Claybrooks walk in free agency. To make up for their losses, they inked Ronald Darby in free agency and later used a pair of draft picks on Deantre Prince, and Jarrian Jones.

When you add the return of starter Tyson Campbell, along with backups Chris Braswell, Gregory Junior, and Montaric Brown, Jacksonville won't probably have room for Tevaugh Campbell in 2024.

Back in 2022, the Jags claimed Campbell off waivers midseason to bolster their depth at the position. He ended up appearing in five games and logging 31 snaps. The Ontario, Canada native returned last season. This time, though, he only suited up for two games and played one defensive snap.

Campbell played college football at Regina in Canada and later had stints with the Calgary Stampeders, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL before getting his shot in the NFL.

The New York Jets signed Campbell in 2019 but waived him before the start of the regular season. He then spent the next two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers before getting the boot. He was then claimed by the Las Vegas Raiders before he went to the Jags.

Like Hance, Campbell looks like a long shot to make the 53-man roster but is a strong candidate to land in the practice squad.

Yasir Abdullah, linebacker

Every year, all NFL teams draft a player who could turn out to be a diamond in the rough. Outside linebacker Yasir Abdullah fit the moniker for the Jags last year.

A fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft, Abdullah logged 32 tackles for a loss and 19.5 sacks. But at 6'1", he lacked the ideal height to rush the quarterback on the edge. Nevertheless, the Jaguars didn't have many enticing options behind Travon Walker, and Josh Hines-Allen, so the Florida native had a chance to move up the depth chart and contribute. In the end, though, he wasn't much of a factor.

Abdullah was inactive for several games last year and ended up appearing on 45 defensive snaps. Working in his favor is that there's a new defensive staff in place, so the sophomore will get a clean slate. Another thing that could help him hit his stride is that he'll be switching from edge rusher to off-linebacker in 2024.

On the other hand, the Jaguars are stacked at linebacker. Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd are slated to start. Barring any sudden developments, Chad Muma will be the top reserve at the position. Also in the mix will be Caleb Johnson and sophomore Ventrell Miller, who'll try to move up the depth chart after missing his rookie season.

Another thing that could hurt Abdullah's chances of securing a roster spot is that he doesn't contribute on special teams. If he did, he might have better odds of making the team.

Elijah Cooks, wide receiver

The Jaguars seemed to be in great shape at receiver in 2023, having devoted seven roster spots to the position last year. But once the regular season came, their lack of experience was evident. The coaching staff struggled to find an adequate replacement for Zay Jones throughout the year. Similarly, the offense suffered a dropoff when Christian Kirk suffered a core injury. Among those who were asked to step up but failed to do much of note was Elijah Cooks.

An undrafted free agent last year, Cooks signed with the Jags and made their initial 53-man roster. However, he was inactive for several games and finished his rookie season with just three receptions for 38 yards with no touchdowns.

In his defense, Cooks didn't get much playing time because he was at the bottom of the depth chart. Moreover, the former San Jose State Spartan was still finding his footing in the NFL, so his lack of production shouldn't come as a surprise.

Cooks now has a year of experience under his belt and a better grasp of what it takes to play in the NFL. On the other hand, earning a roster spot may be higher than it was last year. After all, Gabe Davis, Brian Thomas Jr., Christian Kirk, Devin Duvernay, and sophomore Parker Washington are locks to make the team. That potentially leaves two spots available if Jacksonville once again carries seven receivers again. Undrafted rookie Joshua Cephus, along with Tim Jones, and Cooks would be competing for them.

The coaching staff likes Jones for his blocking chops. On the other hand, Cephus has an intriguing ceiling. Cooks will need to prove he can contribute as much as them if he doesn't want to be on the outside looking in.

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