Teams have started to report for training camp and there are a handful of players on the Jacksonville Jaguars set to grab the headlines. Trevor Lawrence is the first one that comes to mind but wide receiver Calvin Ridley, outside Josh Allen and safety Andre Cisco should also get lots of attention.
Having said that, there are other lesser-known Jaguars who will not get the spotlight but will still need to perform at a high level if they want to make the 53-man roster in 2023. In particular, the next eight will need to give their best in the upcoming weeks to avoid being left out.
Lesser-known Jaguars who must stand out in training camp - Part 4
Shaquille Quarterman, LB
Over the last two years, the Jaguars' linebacker corps has gone from a weakness into a strength. And given how stacked they're at the position, Jacksonville might find themselves having to make tough decisions on roster cutdown day. One player that could be on the bubble ahead of training camp is Shaquille Quarterman, who's fared well in a reserve role the last three years.
Quarterman, a fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft, turned heads when he made Tennesse Titans running back Derrick Henry fumble last year but he's usually fared well when called upon and has also carved a niche on special teams.
Having said that, he could be a victim of the numbers game due to the depth at the position. Either Chad Muma or Devin Lloyd will start next to team captain Foyesade Oluokun next season. That's three linebacker spots and rookie Ventrell Miller should also get the cut.
Unless the Jags decide to carry five off-linebackers in 2023, which isn't out of the question, Quarterman could be the odd man out.
Daniel Thomas, LB
The Jags seem to be set at safety ahead of training camp, with Ryshawn Jenkins, Andre Cisco, and Andrew Wingard at the top of the depth chart. Daniel Thomas could take the No. 4 spot but he might need to fend off a couple of rookies.
Thomas, a fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft, started a couple of games as a rookie and showed flashes before an arm injury sidelined him in the second half of the season. Since then, he's been mostly relegated to backup duties and special teams. Meanwhile, Erick Hallett II and Antonio Johnson have lots of upside and could earn tons reps in training camp if Thomas fails to impress.
Heading into a contract year, Thomas is likely incentivized to have a banner year but he may be in danger of being phased out in favor of Hallett or Johnson.
Lesser-known Jaguars who must stand out in training camp - Part 3
Henry Mondeaux, DT
The Jaguars didn't make any splash signings in free agency and instead opted to fortify their depth across the roster. One addition that hardly made news was defensive tackle Henry Mondeaux, a developmental project with intriguing upside. An undrafted free agent in 2018, Mondeaux spent time with the New Orleans Saints and the Kansas City Chiefs before latching onto the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019.
The former Oregon Duck would spend the 2019 season on the Steelers' depth chart before finally making his regular season debut the following season. He ended up appearing in five games and tallying five total tackles. Mondeaux followed that up with 15 games, two sacks, and 16 in 2021. The New York Giants claimed him off waivers last year and he went on to post 16 tackles in 11 games.
Now with the Jags, Mondeaux aims at being part of the defensive line rotation but he'll have competition from rookie Raymond Vohasek.
Blake Hance, OL
When discussing the Jaguars' offensive line, Balke Hance's doesn't often pop up but he return for a second stint last year after spending the 2019 season in Jacksonville. An undrafted free agent in 2018, the former Northwestern Wildcat has spent time with the Buffalo Bills, the Washington Commanders, the Cleveland Browns, and the New York Jets.
Hance hardly ever played in his first three NFL seasons but he appeared in 33 games with eight starts over the last two years. Maybe he needed time to figure things out and put it all together, which is why he might have a reasonable shot at making the Jaguars' 53-man roster in 2023.
Lesser-known Jaguars who must stand out in training camp - Part 2
Tim Jones, WR
The top four spots on the Jaguars' receiver depth chart with go (in no particular order) will go to Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Jamal Agnew. That could leave just one roster spot open and Tim Jones will be in the mix.
Jones, an undrafted free agent in 2021, spent his rookie season in the Jaguars' practice squad. However, he would rise to fame and became a fan favorite after an outstanding outing in the 2022 preseason.
In three games, the former Southern Mississippi Golden Eagle hauled in 14 receptions for 219 receiving yards. Unfortunately, he became a non-factor in the regular season and ended up catching a measly three passes for 30 yards.
With the addition of Parker Washington and a trio of undrafted rookies, Jones will need to stand out in training camp if he wants to make the Jags' 53-man roster for the second straight year.
Tevaugh Campbell, CB
Although the top 3 of the Jags' depth chart seems to be set, the bottom half will most likely take shape in training camp. Cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams are slated to start in the boundaries in 2023 while Tre Herndon is the in-house favorite to line up in the slot.
Sophomores Gregory Junior Montaric Brown should be in the mix. On the other hand, rookie Christian Braswell and undrafted free agent Kaleb Hayes could challenge Herndon for the nickel job.
Other cornerbacks in the mix are Chris Claybrooks and Tevaugh Campbell. Both played sparingly last year and Claybrooks is facing legal issues, which could give Campbell a slight edge in training camp. However, it's not a given that he'll earn a roster spot. Claimed off waivers of the Las Vegas Raiders' practice squad last year, Campbell appeared in 31 defensive snaps for the Jaguars last year.
If the team's brass put a claim on Campbell, it's because they must've liked what he brought to the table. It's up to him to showcase his talent in camp.
Lesser-known Jaguars who must stand out in training camp - Part 1
Luke Farrell. TE
General manager Trent Baalke told the media on the days preceding the draft that the team felt comfortable with their tight end room and didn't think it was absolutely necessary to add to the group. On the other hand, he said that if there was a chance, they would bolster the position. Ultimately, they took Brenton Strange in Round 2 and later signed athletic sensation Sammis Reyes during offseason workouts.
Evan Engram is the unquestionable starter and Strange will get a workload that reflects his growth in his rookie season. Luke Farrell could be the No. 3 tight end on the depth chart but Reyes, and Gerrit Prince, who spent his first NFL season in the practice squad, could challenge him for the spot.
Farrell could have the edge by virtue of being the veteran but Prince and Reyes may have a higher ceiling. Working in Farrell's favor is that the coaching staff seems to be high on him but he shouldn't take his roster spot for granted.
Snoop Conner, RB
Rookie Snoop Conner appeared to have a good shot at being RB3 on the depth chart last year but the arrival of JaMycal Hasty before the start of the season tumbled him and become a healthy scratch until James Robinson was traded to the New York Jets. But even after Robinson was traded, Conner hardly ever saw the field, toting the rock a paltry 12 times for 42 yards with one touchdown last year.
Heading into the 2023 season, Conner could face an uphill battle to make the team. This is due to the arrival of D'Ernest Johnson in free agency and the Jaguars drafting Tank Bagsby in Round 3. Johnson was efficient in a limited role for the Cleveland Browns the last four years while Bigsby has the potential to be a three-down starter in the NFL. Unless Conner shows out in the upcoming weeks, he'll have a hard time sticking around.