Jacksonville Jaguars: How many quarterbacks will be on final 2018 roster?
By Larry Brake
Currently, the Jacksonville Jaguars have one quarterback on their roster. How many quarterbacks will be on the roster going into Week 1 of the NFL season?
Blake Bortles is the only quarterback on the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ roster, currently. Jacksonville carried two quarterbacks last season. Bortles’ backup, Chad Henne, has signed with Kansas City. Last summer, the Jaguars carried three quarterbacks on the roster. Brandon Allen was released prior to Week 1. Bortles and Henne were the only quarterbacks on the roster throughout the season.
Henne has not play very much as the back-up. Since losing the starting job in 2014, he has appeared in three games. In fact, he has only attempted two passes.
The question is, how many quarterbacks will the Jaguars carry on their roster? Bortles has started 61 games. He has not missed a game due to injury. Remember, there is no guarantee that he will stay healthy.
With only one quarterback on the roster, Jacksonville needs to determine their quarterback strategy. Will they sign a free agent or will they use their first draft pick? Perhaps, they might do both for the 2018 season.
The current free agent quarterbacks seem to be career back ups. This season’s draft class of quarterbacks appear to be potential franchise quarterbacks. Most of all, which quarterbacks will Jacksonville choose?
Blaine Gabbert is a free agent after playing in Arizona. He led Arizona to a victory over the Jaguars last season. Would Jacksonville bring Gabbert back? He started 27 games for Jacksonville from 2011-13.
Since Jacksonville is drafting from the 29th position, the high profile prospects will be already selected. The Jaguars would need to move up in the draft should they decide to take one of the highly sought quarterbacks. If they do, expect the drafted rookie to be a developmental project.
Next: NFL Mock Draft: Unexpected first-round picks post-FA
Jacksonville will probably sign a free agent and draft the future franchise quarterback. Releasing Marcedes Lewis and Allen Hurns gave Jacksonville some salary cap cash to sign a quarterback. Do not be surprise if the Jaguars are aggressive by moving up in the draft. Let’s wait and see.