Following the Jaguars’ recent scrimmage, here is the latest 53-man roster prediction, given what we have seen in training camp.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are now eight training camp practices in and have also had their offense vs. defense scrimmage. Just like that, their first preseason game with Pittsburgh is already on the horizon.
With what we’ve learned over almost two weeks of practices, let’s put together a new 53-man roster prediction given what we know now.
Quarterback (2): Trevor Lawrence, Nick Mullens
Maybe Liam Coen wants to keep a third quarterback on the 53-man roster–we just don’t know since this is his first time as a head coach–but I think that roster spot could be better used elsewhere.
Running back (4): Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, Bhayshul Tuten, LeQuint Allen
Keeping four running backs won’t be easy. It’ll mean going light at another position, and not all of them will get regular touches in season. But I haven’t seen enough up to this point to make me think that Coen won’t keep all four backs, especially after he praised Allen following the Jaguars’ scrimmage.
Wide receiver (5): Dyami Brown, Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, Travis Hunter, Josh Cephus
Cephus has steadily made plays since the start of training camp. The big question here right now is whether the Jaguars roster a sixth wide receiver. In that instance, Trenton Irwin and Eli Pancol are the two players I’m watching.
Tight end (3): Johnny Mundt, Hunter Long, Brenton Strange
I went light at tight end. With the ability to elevate players from the practice squad on Sundays, the Jaguars can bolster depth that way if they feel it’s a need on game days. Mundt and Long have been injured, which has provided Quintin Morris with more opportunities, but I’ll still assume the two early free agent signees who have experience in similar offenses will make the team.
Offensive line (10): Walker Little, Ezra Cleveland, Robert Hainsey, Patrick Mekari, Anton Harrison, Chuma Edoga, Cole Van Lanen, Fred Johnson, Wyatt Milum, Jonah Monheim
With Van Lanen injured, perhaps he doesn’t start on the initial 53-man roster, depending on how much time he’ll have to miss. All we know right now is that he is out for the remainder of training camp.
Jacksonville Jaguars 53-man roster prediction on defense
Defensive line (9): Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, Dennis Gardeck, Dawuane Smoot, Arik Armstead, Maason Smith, DaVon Hamilton, Emmanuel Ogbah, Tyler Lacy
Anthony Campanile highlighted Tyler Lacy’s play in the Jaguars’ scrimmage. Jordan Jefferson could make his way onto the roster, but I left him off with Armstead, Smith, and Hamilton seeing the majority of the tackle snaps, not to mention that Smoot could play inside as well in certain situations.
Linebacker (6): Devin Lloyd, Foyesade Oluokun, Jalen McLeod, Ventrell Miller, Chad Muma, Jack Kiser
Do the Jaguars keep six linebackers? I’m not certain about that. However, I’m not sure who to keep off either. Lloyd and Oluokun are starting, while Miller and Muma have filled the backup roles. Then Kiser and McLeod are recent draft picks.
Cornerback (5): Tyson Campbell, Jourdan Lewis, Jarrian Jones, Montaric Brown, De’Antre Prince
With Hunter, the Jaguars have six cornerback options on the roster. I’ll still give Prince the final roster spot, but veteran Levi Wallace, who the team just signed, could make a push in the coming weeks.
Safety (6): Eric Murray, Darnell Savage, Antonio Johnson, Caleb Ransaw, Rayuan Lane, Andrew Wingard
Like linebacker, I’m not sure the Jaguars keep six safeties, but I wasn’t sure who to leave off either. Murray is starting, while Johnson, Savage, and Wingard are competing for the starting job next to him.
Special teams (3): Logan Cooke, Ross Matiscik, Cam Little
There’s no mystery here.