NFL teams have until Tuesday 4:00 p.m. ET to trim down their rosters from 90 players to 53. Having played their last preseason game Saturday, the Jacksonville Jaguars will soon start to make moves to get to the magic number.
This year, the Jags have lots of talent and they'll probably release players who are deserving of a roster spot. The silver lining is that if they aren't claimed by another team, they can then be signed to the practice squad.
Practice squad players can still get ample time in the regular season due to rules that allow teams to activate them on game day. With that in mind, which 16 should the Jaguars keep in 2023?
Jaguars 2023 practice squad predictions: Offense
Nathan Rourke, quarterback
NFL teams can now carry a third quarterback on game day. The catch is that he needs to be on the active roster to start the season. In the Jaguars' case, it's uncertain if they'll keep Nathan Rourke. Just recently, offensive coordinator Press Taylor said the coaching staff has talked about it but hasn't made a decision yet.
If Jacksonville chooses not to give Rourke a roster spot, they can then bring him back to the practice squad. Once he lands in the practice squad, he can be one of four players they can protect from being signed by another team.
Snoop Conner, running back
Snoop Conner seems like a strong candidate to land in the practice squad. Simply, he hasn't done enough to earn a roster spot in 2023. But if the Jaguars run out of healthy running backs, they could promote him to the active roster at any time.
Jaguars 2023 practice squad predictions: Offense, pt. 2
Elijah Cooks, Nathan Jacobs, Seth Williams, and Kendrick Pryor, receivers (4)
For the sake of argument, let's say Tim Jones and rookie Parker Washington are the fifth and sixth wide receivers on the depth chart. The coaching staff likes both enough to pick them over other players who are also deserving of a roster spot.
By keeping Cooks, Williams, Jacobs, and Pryor in the practice squad, the team's brass gives them a chance to continue working on their craft.
Cole Van Lanen, interior O-Line
This one isn't necessarily surprising. The Jags traded for Cole Van Lanen before the start of the 2022 season to add depth to their interior offensive line. When Van Lanen landed in Jacksonville, he was seen as a developmental player who could eventually compete for a role on the offensive line. However, he's not made enough progress to warrant a roster spot in 2023, even if rookie Cooper Hodges misses significant playing time.
Garret Prince, tight end
Garrett Prince has a favorable chance of making the team after spending his rookie season in the practice squad. However, the Jaguars carried four tight ends last year and if they need a roster spot at another position, Garret Prince could land in the practice squad again. Still, he showed promise in training camp and if a spot frees up as the season progresses, they could give it to Prince.
Blake Hance, Bobby Evans, offensive linemen (2)
Swing tackle Josh Wells hurt his abductor during joint practices with the Detroit Lions, which leaves them a bit thin at the position while left tackle Cam Robinson serves a four-game suspension. Once he returns, Jacksonville will be stacked on the edges. For the time being, they need to keep Blake Hance and Bobby Evans as insurance.
Jaguars 2023 practice squad predictions: Defense
Christian Braswell, Kaleb Hayes, cornerbacks (2)
The Jags have a crowded cornerback room. The three top spots will go to Tre Herndon, Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams while sophomores Greg Junior and Montaric Brown should get extended playing time. Chris Claybrooks also seems to have secured a roster spot.
This would leave rookies Christian Braswell and Kaleb Hayes on the outside looking in. Braswell flashed potential in the preseason while Hayes could turn into a solid slot cornerback. Keeping both around could pay off down the road.
Caleb Johnson, linebacker
Jacksonville is loaded at inside linebacker, which makes Caleb Johnson a long shot to make the 53-man roster. Still, injuries can deplete a unit in the blink of an eye, so keeping Caleb Johnson in the practice squad makes sense.
Michael Dogbe, defensive end
Jeremiah Ledbetter will need to step up during DaVon Hamilton's absence while he recovers from a non-football back injury. Ledbetter, a fourth-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2017, has worked on his craft this offseason and has probably secured a roster spot over Michael Dogbe, a protege of defensive line coach Brentson Bucker. That said, Dogbe has experience and come off the bench at any time, so there's value in giving him a spot in the practice squad.
Daniel Thomas, safety
The fact that Daniel Thomas has starting experience could help him earn a roster post. However, rookies Antonio Johnson and Erick Hallet II might have more upside, so it wouldn't be shocking if either one or both make the cut. In case Thomas is left out, he can then join the practice squad.
James McCourt, kicker
Brandon McManus is slated to handle kicking duties in 2023 and if he can be his efficient self, the Jaguars won't have to worry about the kicker position next season. But if he shows a decline or has to miss time, James McCourt could be a capable replacement.