Jaguars 53-man roster projection ahead of preseason finale vs. Falcons

Having previously beaten the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs, the Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to finish the preseason strong. Next on their schedule, they'll face the Atlanta Falcons. While the outcome won't count in the standings, they'll surely want to come out on top and build confidence ahead of the regular season. But whether the Jags win or lose, this game will be important for a handful of reasons.

The starters will get to work on their timing and rapport with their teammates. On the other hand, the coaching staff will get one last look at several players before they put the final touches on the roster. And that's the thing.

Roster cutdown day is on August 27. By 4:00 p.m. ET of that day, Jacksonville will have to trim down the roster to 53 players by then. This means that players on the fringe will have one last chance to make their case to stick around or move up the depth chart.

This begs the question, how will the Jaguars' 53-man roster look come Week 1? Here's a prediction.

Jaguars quarterbacks (2): Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones

No surprises here. The Jags have carried two quarterbacks this year and this won't change in 2024. What will be different is that Mac Jones will be taking C.J. Beathard's spot as the primary backup behind Trevor Lawrence.

The Jags traded for Jones in the offseason and had him compete with his veteran counterpart for the job. The Alabama product did enough in the preseason to win the job, but even if he hadn't, he would've gotten it by default, as Beathard will be missing time with a groin injury.

After Beathard got hurt, the Jags signed a familiar face in E.J. Perry who was in their practice squad the past two years and had a stint with the Houston Texans in between. Depending on how serious Beathard's injury is, Perry could land in the Jacksonville practice squad a third time.

Jaguars runnning backs (4): Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsbsy, D'Ernest Johnson, Jalen Jackson

Make no mistake, Tank Bigsby has had an encouraging preseason but Travis Etienne is still RB1 on the depth chart. Based on how the former Auburn Tiger has played, he and Etienne will be able to form the backfield tandem the team's brass envisioned when they drafted him last year.

The always-dependable D'Ernest Johnson is back. While he isn't the most flashy, the Jaguars know he'll deliver if called upon. The last spot might've gone to Keilan Robinson if he had not missed the preseason. Jalen Jackson has made the most of his fellow running back's absence and has probably done enough to get it.

Wide receivers (6) Gabe Davis, Christian Kirk, Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, Devin Duvernay, Tim Jones

The Jags carried seven wide receivers last year, so it was believed they could do the same in 2024 based on the additions they made at the position. Christian Kirk, Brian Thomas Jr., Gabe Davis, Devin Duvernay, and Gabe Davis have all but guaranteed a roster spot. That would've left two slots up for grabs.

But based on how things have unfolded, the Jaguars will likely carry only six, and Tim Jones will get the last spot. Neither sophomore Elijah Cooks nor undrafted rookie sensation Joshua Cephus have done enough, at least from an outside perspective, to make the team.

Jones isn't a game-changer but he's a fine blocker and can contribute on special teams. If you're at the bottom of the depth chart, that's how you work your way in.

Jaguars tight ends (4) Evan Engram, Brenton Strange, Josiah Deguara, Luke Farrell

The Jaguars' 2024 tight-end group will resemble the one from last year. Evan Engram, Brenton Strange, and Luke Farrell are back. The only acquisition was Josiah Deguara, who could play special teams and provide some creative play designed due to his ability to line up anywhere across the line of scrimmage.

It's also worth noting that Brenton Strange will get more playing time but not nearly enough as Evan Engram, who remains the top option at the position.

Offensive linemen (9): Anton Harrison, Ezra Cleveland, Cam Robinson, Brandon Scherff, Walker Little, Javon Foster, Mitch Morse, Cole Van Lanen, Blake Hance

At this point, there are no signs the Jaguars plan to trade Cam Robinson and Walker Little before the start of the regular season. This makes sense when you take into account that rookie Javon Foster may become a solid player down the road but right now, he's not ready to be pressed into action.

While Luke Fortner has struggled in the preseason, Cole Van Lanen has thrived. Granted they played different positions but it's still noteworthy because one appears to be a lock to make the team while the other hasn't done enough to make you think he deserves a roster spot.

For the sake of argument, let's say Fortner doesn't make the cut, Blake Hance would then be in.

Jaguars defensive linemen (6): Arik Armstead, Maason Smith, DaVon Hamilton, Roy Robertson-Harris, Jeremiah Ledbetter, Jordan Jefferson

This group is in much better shape than it was last year because of the additions of Arik Armstead, Maason Smith, and Jordan Jefferson. The issue now is that the team's brass will have to make some decisions on roster cutdown day.

Armstead, Smith, and Jefferson are all locks to make the team. Two spots are also earmarked for Roy Robertson-Harris, and DaVon Hamilton. If the front office doesn't want to incur a dead-money hit of $1 million, Jeremiah Ledbetter is also staying. That means that unless the Jaguars carry seven interior defenders or move on from Ledbetter, Tyler Lacy may not make the cut.

Jaguars edge rushers (4): Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, DJ Coleman, Trevis Gipson

The Jaguars' pass rotation is taking shape. Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker are back after registering a combined 27.5 sacks between the two in 2023. Trevis Gipson has probably earned the No. 3 job after his productive preseason, and sophomore DJ Coleman has improved considerably.

Jaguars linebackers (5): Chad Muma, Devin Lloyd, Foyesade Oluokun, Ventrell Miller, Caleb Johnson

Chad Muma has been the talk of the town because he's improved under defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen. However, Devin Lloyd and Foyesade Oluokun remain the starters at linebacker. Ventrell Miller and Caleb Johnson will also be in the mix but they'll be mostly relegated to special teams.

Jaguars cornerbacks (6): Jarrian Jones, Tyson Campbell, Ronald Darby, Darnell Savage, Christian Braswell, Tre Flowers

The Jaguars should be pleased with their overall level of talent and depth at cornerback. They have a dependable starting trio in Tyson Campbell, Ronald Darby, and Jarrian Jones. With Gregory Junior out of the equation, Darnell Savage, Christian Braswell, and Tre Flowers will be the backups.

Deantre Prince has flashed throughout the offseason but hasn't been nearly as consistent as Flowers, who's had a productive preseason.

Safeties (4): Antonio Johnson, Andre Cisco, Daniel Thomas, Erick Hallett II

Antonio Johnson will line up at safety after playing nickel in his rookie season. He'll join Andre Cisco, who's become a mainstay of the defensive backfield. With Andrew Wingard expected to miss significant time, Tashaun Gipson would be the obvious choice to replace him but he'll be serving a six-game suspension to start the season, so sophomore Erick Hallett will take his spot on the roster.

Daniel Thomas is also back but he won't get much playing time on defense. Instead, he'll contribute on special teams, where he can have the biggest impact.

Jaguars specialists (3): Cam Little, Ross Matiscik, and Logan Cooke

No changes here, expect this group to look the same for the foreseeable future.

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