The preseason gives players the chance to get ready for the regular season. This is why it wasn't particularly surprising to learn that head coach Doug Pederson wants to see the starters play a few series against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1.
You could argue that the Jags are better off resting their starters for the regular season, but as Pederson noted, playing a couple of series allows them to get a feel for the game. That said, the coaching staff won't learn much from watching Trevor Lawrence or wide receiver Calvin Ridley play.
However, there are other Jaguars players that should get a closer look in the preseason and could benefit from a strong performance, including the next five.
No. 5 Jaguars player to watch in Preseason Week 1: Nathan Rourke. QB
Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Beathard have a roster spot guaranteed regardless of how the preseason plays out. But the same can't be said for Nathan Rourke, who needs to show he's deserving of being QB3 on the depth chart. A Canada native, Rourke suited up for the BC Lions in the CFL before signing with the Jags in January.
The team's brass didn't bring in any other quarterbacks to training camp and instead, let Rourke hone his skills. During an exchange with the local media, offensive coordinator Press Taylor praised him for the work he's put in and added that he would get lots of opportunities in the preseason.
Lawrence will be on the field for one, maybe two series against the Cowboys. Beathard will then play one or two quarters before he paves the way for Rourke, who could play one half or even a bit more in Week 1.
No. 4 Jaguars player to watch in Preseason Week 1: D'Ernest Johnson, RB
How many carries will Travis Etienne get against the Cowboys? Five, optimally fewer. As Doug Pederson noted, players need to get used to the speed but there's no point in giving their starting running back a big workload if they want him to start the 2023 season with fresh legs.
For this reason, the coaching staff will most probably spread the workload and feed other running backs. Right now, Tank Bigsby seems to be in the driver's seat to be the primary backup behind Etienne. However, D'Ernest Johnson, who signed a one-year deal in free agency, showed big-play capability during his stint with the Cleveland Browns.
If Johnson remains the Jags what he's capable of, his chances of securing a roster spot and getting a few carries now and then in 2023 will increase considerably.
No. 3 Jaguars player to watch in Preseason Week 1: Elijah Cooks, WR
Undrafted free agents tend to have a steep hill to climb to make an NFL roster and in wide receiver Elijah Cooks' case, it will be considerably harder due to the surplus the Jaguars have at the position. The top four spots on the depth chart are already earmarked for Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Jamal Agnew. That potential leaves just one spot up for grabs and rookie Parker Washington seems to be a favorite to get it.
It will be up to Cooks, and other receivers such as Tim Jones, Kendric Pryor, and Kevin Austin Jr. to make an impression in training camp. At 6-5, Cooks could be a threat in the red zone but he first needs to show he can be counted on when he gets his chance against the Cowboys.
No. 2 Jaguars player to watch in Preseason Week 1: Yasir Abdullah, OLB
The Jaguars have a promising pass rush duo on Josh Allen and Travon Walker. However, they are still sorting out the rest of their rotation. K'Lavon Chaisson, a first-round pick in the 2020 draft, is currently No. 3 behind Allen and Walker, but rookie Yassier Abdullah could challenge him for playing time with a strong outing in the preseason.
Abdullah made a positive impression in offseason workouts but struggled in training camp once the pads when on. Dubbed a potential draft steal, it's possible that he needs more time to develop and the preseason will give them the opportunity to make progress.
No. 1 Jaguars player to watch in Preseason Week 1: Gregory Junior, CB
Cornerback Tre Herndon will tentatively handle nickel duties in 2023 but sophomore Gregory Junior has made strides over the last few months and could end up sending his veteran counterpart to the bench. Just recently, Pederson praised the Ouachita Baptist product for the strides he's made in Year 2.
Junior, a sixth-round pick in last year's draft, only suited up for one game in his rookie season. However, he looks like a strong candidate to eventually unseat Herndon and become the Jaguars' primary cornerback.
Having said that, there will be other players vying for snaps in the slot, including rookies Antonio Johnson and Erick Hallet II. With a strong performance against the Cowboys though, Junior will solidify his case.