5 strong candidates for Jacksonville Jaguars training camp MVP

Offseason activities allow players to showcase their athletic skills. After all, pads aren't allowed and contact is forbidden. Things will turn up a notch in training camp. The Jacksonville Jaguars will report on July 24 and will get a chance to assess in what kind of shape the roster is ahead of the regular season.

This begs the question, which Jaguars players will get the spotlight because of their on-field performance in training camp? The following five should garner strong consideration.

LB Devin Lloyd is a strong canddiate for Jaguars training camp MVP

Linebacker Devin Lloyd hasn't gotten as much consideration as teammate Andre Cisco to break out but he should feel good about his chances ahead of training camp.

Lloyd became a mainstay of the Utes defense because of his sideline-to-sideline speed and ability to bring the heat or drop in coverage. The Jags couldn't pass on Lloyd's upside and traded back into the first round to select the California native after taking Travon Walker first overall in 2022.

Even though Lloyd missed a portion of training camp with a hamstring injury, he was a Week 1 starter as a rookie. He got off to a hot start, logging two interceptions and six passes defensed in his first three career games. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to sustain that level of play and was eventually benched in favor of fellow linebacker Chad Muma.

Lloyd eventually got his job back when Muma got hurt, but it's fair to say that he left a bit desired in terms of production. On the bright side, the former Utah standout showed noticeable improvement in his sophomore campaign, especially in run defense, where he posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 90.3. He didn't make any big plays but was more consistent. He's ready to take the next step in Year 3.

Bucky Brooks of NFL Media, for one, thinks that Lloyd will benefit from playing in Ryan Nielsen's scheme, which will make use of his range and the ability to get after the quarterback. Moreover, the third-year pro showed up to offseason activities in the best shape of his career, looking faster and stronger than he did the past two years.

Lloyd will now get the chance to build up momentum ahead of the regular season.

RB Tank Bigsby is a strong candidate for Jaguars training camp MVP

When it comes to the Jaguars, there was was arguably no bigger disappointment in 2023 than running back Tank Bigsby. A third-round pick in last year's draft, he was expected to take some of Travis Etienne's workload off his shoulders. Instead, he became a liability on offense, with some of his mistakes directly leading to turnovers. To make matters worse, the former Auburn Tiger averaged a measly 2.8 yards per carry.

Late in the season, Bigsby was phased out in favor of D'Ernest Johnson. However, the Jaguars aren't giving up on Tank Bigsby just yet. In fact, offensive coordinator Press Taylor thinks the coaching staff might've mismanaged his rookie season by not giving him enough playing time. Doug Pederson, on the other hand, still believes the Hogansville native is poised for a big role in Year 2.

Bigsby didn't particularly stand out in offseason activities but Taylor argues that he's got a better grasp of the offense. That should allow him to showcase the skillset that made him a dominant runner in college.

While the Jaguars brought back D'Ernest Johnson on a one-year deal, they didn't make any other additions to their running back room. This might've been a vote of confidence for Bigsby, who'll have an opportunity to repay the team's trust. Having a strong training camp would be a good first step.

DE Travon Walker is a strong candidate for Jaguars training camp MVP

Having drafted Trevor Lawrence the year prior, the Jaguars had several options at No. 1 in the 2024 NFL Draft. Ultimately, they settled on Travon Walker, a talented but raw prospect coming out of Georgia. At the time of the pick, the team's brass knew it was going to take the former Bulldog a bit of time to hit his stride but their patience has paid off.

Walker mostly played with his hand on the ground in college but switched to standup linebacker with the Jags. Not surprisingly, he had a relatively quiet rookie campaign, registering 4.5 sacks, 36 total pressures, and one interception. After getting acclimated to rushing the passer from a two-point stance, the Georgia native showed progress in Year 2, registering 10 sacks and 56 total pressures.

Like fellow draftee Devin Lloyd, Walker is ready to make a leap in 2024. Working in his favor is that the Jaguars signed Arik Armstead in free agency. He'll command double things on the interior, which in turn will allow Walker and bookend pass rusher to find more favorable matchups.

On top of that, Walker will once again play on a three-point stance, where he's at his best, under defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.

While Armstead won't be available early in training camp after landing on the PUP list, Walker should have no trouble getting off to a hot start.

WR Brian Thomas Jr. is a strong candidate for Jaguars training camp MVP

Brian Thomas Jr. wasn't as highly touted as former teammate Malik Nabers or fellow receiver prospects Marvin Harrison Jr. or Rome Odunze coming out of college. However, he was a heck of a playmaker at LSU, hauling in 68 receptions for 1,177 yards with 17 touchdowns in 2023. Add the fact that he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds, and it's easy to see why the Jaguars drafted him 23rd overall.

Even though Thomas will have the daunting task of replacing Calvin Ridley, who bolted for the Tennessee Titans in free agency, he's shown in offseason activities that he's got what it takes. The Louisana native has gotten rave reviews from the coaching staff. So far, his biggest criticism is that he needs to be better at communicating. This should get the Jaguars hyped up about his potential ahead of training camp.

Granted, Thomas could have a bit of trouble when he faces coverage in practice but he should be able to adjust quickly under the tutelage of wide receiver coach Chad Hall.

Right now, the only thing holding back Thomas is his lack of experience but he has the tools to overcome it and become a key contributor for the Jaguars from Day 1.

QB Mac Jones is a strong candidate for Jaguars training camp MVP

After watching Trevor Lawrence play through injuries in 2023, they upgraded their quarterback room, trading for Mac Jones in the offseason. A first-round pick in the same draft class as Lawrence, Jones enjoyed early success to start his NFL career, making the Pro Bowl as a rookie and leading the New England Patriots to the playoffs in his first season at the helm. However, things went sideways afterward.

The Patriots mismanaged Jones' development, and he stalled under de-facto offensive coordinator Matt Patricia in 2022. By the end of his third NFL season, he had been benched several times and New England had given up on him.

Jones is looking to rebuild his stock and couldn't have landed in a better situation. A Jacksonville native, he seems re-energized since joining the Jags via trade in March. Whenever he speaks to the media, you can see a gleam in his eyes.

While Lawerence got the lion's share of the workload in offseason activities, he didn't attend mandatory minicamp, which gave Jones ample opportunities to hone his skills and build a better rapport with his teammates.

Jones won't get many reps behind Lawrence in training camp. However, you can bet that he'll make the most out of the ones he gets and remind everyone what kind of player he was at Alabama and early in his NFL career.

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