![Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Eli Pancol (10) runs a passing drill during the Jacksonville Jaguars’ third mandatory minicamp Thursday June 12, 2025 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_3174,h_1785/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/55/01k1f8kd3xeh4xk2evrx.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Eli Pancol (10) runs a passing drill during the Jacksonville Jaguars’ third mandatory minicamp Thursday June 12, 2025 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]")
The Jacksonville Jaguars surely feel good about the top half of their wide receiver depth chart. Four roster sports are virtually earmarked for Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, Dyami Brown, and Parker Washington. That pretty much leaves to slots up for grabs. Veteran Trenton Irwin is an early favorite to earn the fifth, and a local beat writer believes the last spot will go to an undrafted free agent.
Jamal St. Cyr of News4Jax shared his notes following Day 6 of Jaguars training camp. He said that he was impressed with undrafted free agent Eli Pancol, pointing out that the former Duke Blue Devil will find a way to seize the WR6 job. Below's the skinny.
"I keep saying I think Eli Pancol will find a way into the WR 6 spot and every so often, he flashes," St. Cyr wrote. "He had a big win against Aydan White during 1 on 1's."
What's noteworthy about Cyr's observations is that, on the same column, he also thinks that sophomore Joshua Cephus is "looking more and more like a guy who is going to be on the Jags 53-man roster when it is all said and done."
Now, it doesn't have to be either or. It's entirely possible that both Cephus and Pancol are making a strong impression in training camp. But unless Irwin fails to impress, or Jacksonville carries seven receivers into the regular season like they did in 2023, only one of them will make the 53-man roster.
Related: A Jaguars sophomore makes everyone take notice with jaw-dropping play at training camp
Eli Pancol faces a tough road but could end up making the Jaguars 53-man roster
It's important to point out that Jamal St. Cyr's praise for Eli Pancol doesn't come out of nowhere. As he stated, the rookie receiver has flashed throughout training camp. Back on Day 3, he reeled in two touchdown grabs. Similarly, he was seen as an undrafted free agent with a chance to make the 53-man roster, not long after the Jacksonville Jaguars signed him.
Moreover, Pancol showed resilience in 2024 when he led Duke in catches and receiving yards after two injury-marred seasons. That makes him the kind of intangible rich player the new regime wants. Does that mean he's a lock to get the nod? Probably not.
As things stand, Pancol faces an uphill battle. He will need to keep making plays in training camp and maximize whatever opportunities he gets in the preseason. Even then, that may not be enough to secure a spot on the 53-man roster. The silver lining is that if he doesn't make the team, he'll either land in the practice squad or garner enough attention for another club to sign him after cutdown day.
Still, Eli Pancol is doing everything he can to boost his stock and could ultimately make such a strong push that he gives the Jaguars no choice but to include him on the initial roster if they don't want to lose him to another team.