Winners (and losers) from the first week of Jaguars 2024 training camp

After a rough start to training camp, the Jacksonville Jaguars are hitting their stride. Already, they've held several practices and look in better synch than they did when they began. This isn't particularly surprising when you take into account that they were going through their installs, but now that they are done with it, they can fully focus on execution.

The Jags should continue to get better ahead of their first preseason game. But for the time being, it's time to highlight the players who've stood out in training camp and those who have struggled to make an impression.

Winners from Jaguars training camp in 2024

Trevor Lawrence, quarterback

While many players were off to an underwhelming start to training camp, not many of them were under nearly as much scrutiny as Trevor Lawrence. This comes with the territory, though. Because he's the face of the franchise, every mistake he makes will be magnified.

This isn't to say that his struggles should be overlooked but rather that even a quarterback of Lawrence's caliber is bound to have rough days.

In his case though, the former Clemson Tiger recognized that he needed to make better decisions but wasn't overly worried about his early struggles. Then, head coach Doug Pederson explained that the offense wasn't doing well because of how they chose to install the scheme, beginning with third downs and the red zone.

The Jags have moved on to first and second-round offense and Lawrence has performed significantly better. In fact, he went 16-of-17 with four touchdowns and no interceptions in the team's first padded practice of the training camp, showing that his slow start was not a cause for concern.

Having a better grasp of the scheme, Lawrence should build up momentum ahead of the regular season.

Tank Bigsby, running back

Unlike Trevor Lawrence, Tank Bigsby was flying under the radar because he had an unremarkable rookie season and didn't do much of note in the offseason. What a difference a few months make, with the former Auburn Tiger turning heads in training camp.

A third-round pick in last year's draft, Bigsby was stuffed on a handful of days in the first days of training camp. However, he's turned the corner and has routinely broken off. During the first padded practice, the Hogansville native reached the end zone twice in 11-on11 drills. That's the kind of play that will boost a player's morale and will incentivize him to give his best.

As Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union points out, no player on the Jaguars' roster is in bigger need of a makeover than Bigsby. So far, he's doing with he can to make it happen. He's always had the talent, he just has to put it to good use.

Christian Braswell, cornerback (but it could be Ronald Darby or Jarrian Jones)

Ronald Darby and Jarrian Jones have had a strong training camp, so they certainly fit the winners category. That said, they have been getting lots of recognition and both of them will get considerable playing time in 2024. The same cannot be said about fellow cornerback Christian Braswell, who's trying to work his way up the depth chart.

Braswell, a sixth-round selection in 2023, was hampered by injuries in his rookie season. Now that he's healthy, he's showcasing his athleticism and making plays. Throughout training camp, he's defensed several passes, and generally doing what he can to stand out.

The one thing working against Braswell is that the team has a surplus at cornerback ahead of the regular season, so they'll have to make a few tough decisions when they trim down the roster. Then again, the sophomore should feel good about his chances.

Cam Little, kicker

The Jaguars have had trouble finding a suitable kicker since Josh Lambo began to struggle in 2021. The good news is that it looks like they found their guy in Cam Little, a sixth-round selection in this year's draft.

Little is as accurate as they come. His 82.28 completion rate was a school record at Arkansas. On top of that, he showed he had the leg strength to make long field goals, going 7-of-11 in attempts from 50 yards out or more.

The kicker competition was supposed to be one of the most intriguing ones in Jaguars training camp but it looks like the team's brass saw enough to declare Little the winner. The rookie made nearly all their attempts regardless of the distance. That's probably why Jacksonville chose him over incumbent Riley Patterson. Speaking off...

Losers from the first week of Jaguars 2024 training camp

Riley Patterson

Teams can keep up to 90 players up until the last week of the preseason. Probably that's why their decision to release Riley Paterson came as a bit of a surprise. They could've held onto him for a few more weeks but opted to let him walk instead. This means that the front office feels comfortable going into the season with Cam Little as the kicker.

Patterson was dependable more often than not in 2022 but he lacked the strength for long field goals and kickoffs. That's why they tried to replace him with Brandon McManus last year but he wasn't the upgrade they hoped, so they let him leave in free agency.

Along the way, the team's brass brought back Patterson but it felt like a temporary move, as they also tried to sign Wil Lutz and later locked up Joey Slye.

Once the Jags drafted Little, Patterson was always going to have a steep hill to climb to stay in Jacksonville in 2024. On the bright side, the former Memphis Tiger still has ample time to sign with another club before the regular season begins.

Steven Jones, offensive guard

Offensive guard Steven Jones didn't hear his name called on draft day but he received a late-round grade. The Jaguars made him a priority free agent and managed to sign him. Given that they needed to add reinforcements to the interior offensive line, the former Oregon Duck was a candidate to make the 53-man roster. Unfortunately, he's a long shot a few days into training camp.

Jones certainly has the tool to develop into a reserve but he's been away from the football field with a calf injury. When you take into account that availability is the most important ability in the NFL, the rookie offensive guard is running out of time to prove that he deserves a roster spot.

Brian Thomas Jr., wide receiver

Throughout training camp, first-year wide receiver Brian Thoma Jr. has played like, well, a rookie. He caught two touchdown passes on the first day of padded practice and has routinely showcased the speed that made him a deep threat at LSU. That said, the Louisiana native is going through an adjustment period, which is to be expected.

Even though Thomas was a first-round selection, he and other rookies need time to get acclimated to the NFL. In his case, he needs to hone his route-running. Back in college, he could get by with sheer athleticism but that won't do against NFL cornerbacks.

Thomas will continue to flash but his mixed performance in training camp should be a reminder that he needs to continue to work on his craft to become the player the Jaguars envisioned when they drafted him 23rd overall.

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