Jaguars pre-training camp 53-man roster predictions after re-signing Dawuane Smoot

The Jacksonville Jaguars addressed one of their biggest remaining needs when they brought back defensive end Dawuane Smoot to bolster their pass rush. Having checked off a box on their to-do list, they can look for ways to fill other roster holes in training camp, which might have begun by the time you're reading this.

While there are many things coaching staff takes into account when assessing players, training camp carries a significant way in their evaluation. After all, how can teams expect them to deliver on game day if they aren't sharp in practice? This makes the upcoming weeks critical for players who are competing for a roster spot.

With this in mind, here's a pre-training camp glimpse at how the Jaguars' 53-man roster could potentially look next season.

Jaguars pre-training camp 53-man roster projection: Special Teams

Kicker Riley Patterson did well for the Jaguars last year but the team's brass didn't hesitate to make an upgrade at the position when Brandon McManus was available.

Even though Patterson came through in the clutch against the Los Angeles Chargers in Super Wild Card Weekend and had become a fan favorite, he had limited length strength, which probably played a role in Jacksonville going for it on fourth-and-1 one more than they would've liked last year. Meanwhile, McManus has the range to attempt field goals from beyond the 50-yard line.

Had McManus not been released by the Denver Broncos, Patterson might have held kicking duties again in 2023 but outside of that, the rest of the Jaguars' specialists didn't undergo any changes. In fact, you could make the case that it's one of the team's most consistent units year in and year out.

Specialists (3): Logan Cooke (P), Ross Matiscik (LS), Brandon McManus