Jacksonville Jaguars: Competition heats up for few roster spots
By Larry Brake
Competition is heating up for players wanting to grab a roster slot for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a deadline of 3:59 p.m ET on Sept. 1 to reduce their roster to 53 players — as does the rest of the league. There are two preseason games left to convince the coaching staff that they belong on the team. The competition for those slots is really heating up.
In 2017, the Jaguars roster consisted of 25 offensive players, 25 defensive players and three special teamers. Currently, the only determined number, three, is for special teamers. The kicker is Josh Lambo, the punter is Logan Cooke and Carson Tinker is the long snapper.
On offense last year, Jacksonville had 10 linemen, three tight ends, five wide receivers, five running backs and two quarterbacks. Blake Bortles and Cody Kessler have earned their spots. The question remaining is, how many running backs, receivers and tight ends will they keep?
Tommy Bohanon is a fullback, but is listed as a running back. Will they keep him or retain an extra tight end? Have you noticed that Jacksonville has been lining up a tight end in the fullback position in preseason?
Leonard Fournette, T.J. Yeldon and Corey Grant have secure spots. Will Brandon Wilds get Chris Ivory’s roster spot, or will it be Tim Cook? Does Niles Paul, a tight end, become the H-back and get that last spot?
The wide receiver receiving corps is deep. Will they keep six or five receivers? After Rashad Greene’s performance in Minnesota, has he shown that he belongs as the team’s punt return specialist/slot receiver?
Austin Seferian-Jenkins is the starting tight end. There are three battling for two spots, if they carry three tight ends. Do you keep Ben Koyack, James O’Shaghnessy or Paul? Expect the competition to really heat up in the next two weeks.
In 2017, the Jaguars kept nine defensive linemen, seven linebackers, and nine defensive backs. First round pick, Taven Bryan will supplant someone from the roster on the defensive line. Would the Jaguars dare move Marcel Dareus, for salary cap reasons?
The linebacking group seems set at six with Miles Jack, Telvin Smith, and Leon Jacobs as the starters. Perhaps Blair Brown, Deon King and Donald Payne find spots as backups. Jacksonville could use that extra spot for the secondary.
Next. NFL Preseason: Winners and losers from Week 2. dark
Tough, fierce competition is among the defensive backs. The starting four is set. Do you keep three safeties and two corners or three of each with one less linebacker?
Doug Marrone and the coaching staff will keep the best 53 on the roster. The roster position combinations might be different or the same as 2017.