Jaguars training camp 2023: 3 important storylines to keep tabs on
• Tre Herndon is the frontrunner to line up at nickel but he may have competition
• The Jaguars O-Line has moving pieces, how will they mesh?
Time flies in the NFL. Just two months ago, the draft dominated most football conversations and after offseason workouts and minicamp, clubs are now set to report to training camp. In particular, the Jacksonville Jaguars will report on July 21 (rookies) and July 25 (veterans).
This will be the Jags' second season under head coach Doug Pederson, so returning players have a firm grasp of his system and will be able to work on the finer details. The same is true for the defense. This will be coordinator Mike Caldwell's second year calling the shots, so there won't be a need to install a new scheme.
This continuity could lead to a better on-field performance on both sides of the ball in 2023. On the other hand, there are a few things the Jaguars must sort out in training camp, including the next three.
3. Can any of the Jaguars young corners unseat Tre Herndon at nickel?
The Jaguars have a pair of talented starters at cornerback in Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams but they could have added a nickel in free agency or the draft to round out the group. They didn't though and instead expect veteran Tre Herndon to start the regular season inside.
Herndon, an undrafted free agent in 2019, has starting experience and can line up inside or outside. However, he might be better suited for a reserve role, which is why one of the team's young cornerbacks could challenge him for the nickel job. More specifically, rookies Christian Braswell and Antonio Johnson, who played safety at Texas A&M, could be in the mix to line up in the slot.
Braswell got reps at nickel during rookie minicamp and the coaching staff also gave Johnson a look inside. While they'll both need to make a strong impression, it won't be shocking if either one ends up getting the majority of snaps in the slot in the opener.