5 Jaguars players not named Calvin Ridley already turning heads in training camp

Wide receiver Calvin Ridley has made a strong impression in training camp but that's not particularly breaking news. The Jacksonville Jaguars knew they were getting a game-changer when they traded for him last year and they've seen him put in the work to get back to greatness since he was reinstated back in March.

Ridley has made several eye-popping catches already in just four days of camp and has gotten nothing but rave reviews from teammates and coaches. Defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell, for one, believes he and cornerback Tyson Campbell benefit from going against each other in practice.

Similarly, head coach Doug Pederson named Ridley and Campbell as two players who have stood out in practice. Just recently, Ridley told Jeff Howe of The Athletic that he's "more motivated than ever and ready to get back whatever I lost." Based on the way he's been practicing, it looks like he's off to a great start.

That said, Ridley isn't the only player that has stood out in training camp. Here are five others who have left a favorable impression.

No. 5 Jaguars player not named Calvin Ridley's who's stood out: Gerrit Prince, TE

The Jaguars prioritized keeping Evan Engram in the offseason. First, they applied the franchise tag on him and later gave him a three-year deal worth $42.5 million. However, they didn't make an aggressive effort to retain their other tight ends, Chris Manhertz and Dan Arnold.

Third-year Luke Farrell could step in and fill Manhertz's role as a blocking specialist. However, rookie Brenton Strange and sophomore Gerrit Prince could also get consideration for significant playing time next season. In particular, Prince has shined in training camp. On Days 2 and 3 of practice, he reached the end zone a total of three times and looks ready to seize a roster spot in 2023.

Also, Prince has gotten praise from head coach Doug Pederson and Engram, who describe the former UAB Blazer as a "fluid athlete" who is "perfect for Doug's offense", per Mia O'Brian of 1010 XL.

There's plenty of time left before the 53-man roster for the 2023 season takes shape but if Prince keeps making plays, his chances of making the cut will continue to increase.

No. 4 Jaguars player not named Calvin Ridley who's stood out: Gregory Junior, CB

Cornerback was seen as a need for the Jags throughout most of the offseason. More specifically, they needed to bolster the nickel position, with Darious Willams and Tyson Campbell slated start in the boundaries.

But instead of bringing in someone in free agency or investing an early-round pick in a nickel cornerback in the 2023 draft, Jacksonville re-signed veteran Tre Herndon. Maybe they thought adding someone to line up in the slot wasn't that big a need or it's possible that they were expecting one of their younger players to step up.

If the latter was the case, the team's brass should then feel pleased about sophomore Gregory Junior, who among other players, has stepped up in practice, according to head coach Doug Pederson.

"Antonio Johnson has played some, Erick Hallett he's been in there, Christian Braswell," Pederson told the local media on Day 4 of training camp. "We've got some guys, Greg Junior is really stepped up a little bit, he's caught the attention, the second-year player coming in, Montaric Brown, these guys are second-year players who take that and just like Snoop [Conner] on offense, you take that second-year leap.

In regards to Junior, Pederson says that he's seen him have a better grasp of the defense and how the team practices, "You're seeing just second year understanding the defense, the terminology, and those are the things I see with him".

Junior, a sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft, was waived before the start of the season but was signed to the practice squad. He was later promoted to the active roster but only appeared in one game, logging 18 snaps. Heading into Year 2, the former Ouachita Baptism standout seemed ready to have a spot in the 53-man roster.

No. 3 Jaguars player not named Calvin Ridley who's stood out: Parker Washington, WR

When you think of Jaguars wide receivers Zay Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Christian Kirk surely come to find first, and rightfully so. The trio is firmly entrenched at the top of the depth chart and barring injury, they'll all be among Trevor Lawrence's top weapons in 2023.

Having said that, the rest of the receiver's depth chart is still taking shape. Jamal Agnew is guaranteed a roster spot but the coaching staff might be better off deploying him mainly on special teams to maximize his impact as a returner.

With Angew's spot secured, Tim Jones, Kendric Pryor, and Parker Washington could find themselves in a three-way battle for the last slot, unless the Jags decide to carry six receivers in the regular season. And while there's still time before the team's brass sorts out the 53-man roster, Washington may have the inside track to get the nod.

Wide receivers coach Chad Hall says that Washington could excel in pads due to what he can do after the catch, per John Shipley of Sports Illustrated, "Washington has been impressive throughout the first week of camp and there still could be another level to what he can do," Shipley noted.

At 5'10", Washington is better suited to line up in the slot. While he needs to work on his route running, he's got good hands and can create yards after the catch. Given how stacked the Jaguars are at wide receiver, Washington won't probably have a big role in 2023, but if he makes a strong impression in training camp, he will get could get a handful of targets his way every game.

No. 2 Jaguars player not named Calvin Ridley who's stood out: Devin Lloyd, LB

Linebacker was one of the Jaguars' biggest needs last year and they took care of it by signing Foyesade Oluokun. On top of that, they traded back into the first round after choosing Travon Walker first overall to select Devin Lloyd at No. 27. They weren't done though making upgrades at the position though, and having the opportunity to take Chad Muma in Round 3, they took it.

Lloyd got the starting nod next to Oluokun despite missing a significant portion of training camp with a hamstring injury. The decision paid off early on, as the former Utah Ute registered two interceptions and six pass deflections in the first three games of the season. However, his strong start didn't carry over the rest of the way. Heading into Year 2, he's expected to make a leap and he's excelled so far.

Defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell praised Lloyd during his exchange with the media on Day 3 of training camp, noting that the sophomore linebacker is doing a better job of diagnosing plays.

"I think you can watch it on film. Last year, you might see a false start here, you might see bad eye discipline but now starting to be more consistent, Caldwell said. "Still not there as consistent as we want it to be. But there's a play the other day, they ran a bootleg in Devin's eyes were in the right spot."

"We're in the right spot. And the play was really a nonfactor because his eyes are in the right spot. That's the progression you see that he's more comfortable with and understands, where he's supposed to do and is able to do it. And then just enable him to make plays for us", Caldwell said.

John Shipley of Jaguar Report also says that Lloyd has created pressure and made huge defensive stops on defense. He adds that Lloyd seems to be the frontrunner to start next to Oluokun next season.

No. 1 Jaguars player not named Calvin Ridley who has stood out: Josh Allen, OLB

Outside linebacker Josh Allen is entering a critical year of his career. A first-round pick in the 2019 draft, Allen logged 10.5 sacks and four forced fumbles as a rookie. However, he hasn't been nearly as productive, at least in terms of sacks, over the last three years. Back in 2020, the former Kentucky Wilcat was held back by a knee injury and he, like every other Jaguars player, had to deal with the Urban Meyer debacle the following season.

Under the leadership of Doug Pederson, Allen was expected to make a leap and he did. Even though he only registered 7.5 passes, he ranked fourth production-wise among edge rushers in the league in true pass sets last year. Then again, the Virginia native said that he believes he can be even better in 2023 and he's proving it early in training camp.

Allen has always started training camp strong but John Shipley of Sports Illustrated says he looks even more dominant now. Shipley says the fifth-year outside linebacker looks explosive and powerful, "like he had a clear chip on his shoulder."

While sacks aren't the only way to measure a pass rusher's success or lack thereof, registering more than 10 in 2023 will help Allen get the spotlight and secure a contract extension that reflects his status as one of the Jaguars' best defensive players.

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