4 players the Jacksonville Jaguars could cut after the 2024 NFL Draft

1. CJ Beathard, quarterback

The Jaguars enjoy an enviable situation at quarterback. Trevor Lawrence had a rough 2023 season but he showed the year prior that he can play at an elite level when the stakes are raised. It's fair to assume that he'll bounce back with reinforcements across the offensive line and a renewed emphasis to establish the run. It will also help that Steezy Trev will be healthy after dealing with ailments throughout most of the year.

Beyond Lawrence, the Jags have C.J. Beathard and Mac Jones. The former has spent the last three seasons as the primary backup. He's only started one game in Jacksonville but Lawrence has credited him for helping him prepare for gameday. Having said that, Beathard is a limited backup who may not be able to carry Jacksonville on his shoulder for an extended period of time. That's why the front office wasted no time trading for Jones.

Drafted in the same year as Lawrence, Jones made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and helped the New England Patriots make the playoffs. He was expected to improve the following season but instead regressed under de-facto offensive coordinator Matt Patricia. By Year 2, the relationship between Jones and the Pats had soured. The former Alabama standout got benched several times and lost his confidence along the way.

By the end of 2023, Jones became a trade candidate. No team but the Jags made an offer for him, though, and they ultimately got him in exchange for a sixth-round pick. In Jacksonville, he'll have a chance to rebuild his stock and have a shot at the open market in 2025. This doesn't bode well for Beathard's chances of returning next season.

The Jaguars could carry three quarterbacks in 2023. That makes sense when you take into account that the backup (and the third-stringer) are an injury away from setting foot on the field. Ideally, Beathard would be the No. 3 but the Jags showed they may not be opposed to keep making additions to the quarterback room when they hosted Spencer Rattler for a visit.

Rattler could be an early Day 3 pick, and if the Jags pick him or another quarterback prospect, Beathard could be the odd man out.

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