The Jaguars’ offseason program ended Thursday, and the entire team won’t be on the field again until the start of training camp July 26.
Many decisions of who will be on the opening-game roster will be easy for the Jaguars’ front office. Players such as quarterback Blake Bortles, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and running back Leonard Fournette will be there.
Others will require more thought. Two quarterbacks or three? Which players will be kept as depth on both sides of the line of scrimmage? What about specialists?
Here’s where things stand heading into summer break:
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks (3)
Players: Blake Bortles, Cody Kessler, Tanner Lee.
Analysis: Bortles completed his best offseason program to date. Behind Bortles, there's decisions to make. Kessler improved throughout OTAs as he gained a better understanding of the playbook, but he is limited physically and has eight career starts. Lee, a sixth-round pick, is extremely raw. He has a big arm but accuracy issues. If the Jaguars believe they can mold Lee into a useful player, he should start the season on the practice squad.
Running Backs (5)
Players: Leonard Fournette, T.J. Yeldon, Corey Grant, Tim Cook, Brandon Wilds.
Analysis: Fournette arrived at Tuesday’s minicamp practice looking leaner and showed good burst during non-contact drills. Yeldon has established himself as the third-down tailback because of his ability to hold up in pass protection and catch the ball out of the backfield. Grant had just 33 offensive touches last season, but don’t be surprised if that number creeps toward 100. Cook, Wilds and possibly a running back not on the roster could battle for a job if the Jaguars decide to keep four tailbacks like last year.
Fullback (1)
Players: Tommy Bohanon.
Analysis: Bohanon did not participate in the offseason program due to injury, but the Jaguars waived fullback Lamar Atkins on Thursday, clearing a path for Bohanon to make the 53-man roster.
Tight Ends (6)
Players: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Niles Paul, James O’Shaughnessy, Ben Koyack, David Grinnage, Scott Orndoff.
Analysis: Seferian-Jenkins quickly emerged as a favorite target of Bortles due to his crisp route running and dependable hands. The big question: Can he block? While not as flashy as Seferian-Jenkins, Paul looked like a gritty, hard-working second option who will also be a factor on special teams. O’Shaughnessy and Koyack have limited upside, which makes depth at tight end a concern. Grinnage has ideal size (6-5/265) and needs to prove he is a capable blocker to have a shot to earn a job.
Receivers (12)
Players: Donte Moncrief, Marqise Lee, Dede Westbrook, Keelan Cole, DJ Chark, Rashad Greene, Jaydon Mickens, Shane Wynn, Allen Lazard, Dorren Miller, Montay Crockett, DeAndre Smelter.
Analysis: During the offseason program, Moncrief looked to be atop the depth chart. His speed allowed for easy separation from cornerbacks and his size should make him a threat in the red zone. Will Moncrief factor in as heavily when contact is allowed? That deserves watching. Lee said he had the meniscus in his left knee repaired during the offseason and was eased through the program, while Westbrook and Cole continued to make progress. Chark made several outstanding catches and appears to have future No. 1 potential, but that’s at least a year or two away. The sixth spot could come down to Mickens and Greene, who was a forgotten man prior to last month and could be traded if he can’t make this team.
Linemen (15)
Players: LT Cam Robinson, LG Andrew Norwell, C Brandon Linder, RG A.J. Cann, RT Jermey Parnell, T Josh Wells, G/C Tyler Shatley, G Josh Walker, T Will Richardson, G/C Chris Reed, T William Poehls, G Brandon Thomas, G/C Kc McDermott, T Brandon Smith, T Sean Hickey.
Analysis: The Jaguars led the league in rushing at 141.4 yards per game last season and doubled down by adding the All-Pro Norwell in free agency. He’s looked good so far. The five starting spots appear to be set, though Cann could face competition from Walker at right guard. Also, Parnell needs to have a better training camp than his offseason program, when he was flagged several times for holding and looked slow. Walker, Shatley, Reed, Wells, Poehls and Richardson (fourth-round pick) look like the top reserves at this point. Eight or nine offensive linemen are likely to be on the initial 53-man roster.
DEFENSE
Linemen (15)
Players: DE Calais Campbell, DT Malik Jackson, DT Abry Jones, DE Yannick Ngakoue, DT Marcell Dareus, DE/DT Taven Bryan, DE Dante Fowler, DE Dawuane Smoot, DT Michael Bennett, DT Eli Ankou, DE Carroll Phillips, DE Lyndon Johnson, DE Darius Jackson, DE Kapron Lewis-Moore, DE Hunter Dimick.
Analysis: The Jaguars finished second to Pittsburgh with 55 sacks last season and could be even better now. First-round pick Bryan has been used at “big” end and can also play three-technique. Dareus should benefit from a full offseason program with the Jaguars after being acquired via trade last October, providing solid overall depth. The Jaguars are likely to keep 10 defensive linemen, meaning Bennett and Ankou could be competing for one spot. Linebacker Lerentee McCray was used as an edge rusher during the offseason program, which might allow for an extra defensive tackle to be kept. Johnson is intriguing but needs a lot of development and is an obvious practice squad candidate.
Linebackers (11)
Players: Telvin Smith, Myles Jack, Blair Brown, Leon Jacobs, Donald Payne, Lerentee McCray, Brooks Ellis, Deon King, Reggie Hunter, Manase Hungalu, Andrew Motuapuaka.
Analysis: The Jaguars are set with Smith and Jack at two of their linebacker spots, but finding someone to fill the strong-side role on base downs will be a training camp task. The top candidates appear to be Brown, Jacobs and possibly Payne. That position could be on the field for about 30-40 percent of the snaps, but it’s a crucial spot on run downs. Jack described Jacobs as a “physical freak,” but asking a rookie seventh-round pick to start immediately is a tough request. Smith looked as confident and productive as ever during the offseason program and should be an All-Pro candidate again this season.
Cornerbacks (11)
Players: Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, D.J. Hayden, Tyler Patmon, Jalen Myrick, Sammy Seamster, Quenton Meeks, Dee Delaney, Dexter McDougle, Tre Herndon, C.J. Reavis.
Analysis: Ramsey and Bouye are terrific, but getting strong play from the slot cornerback is important considering how much nickel the Jaguars play. Hayden got the worst of several matchups with Moncrief early in OTAs but eventually found his stride. Patmon provides good flexibility because he can play inside and out. The other seven could be competing for one roster spot plus a few spots on the practice squad.
Safeties (7)
Players: Tashaun Gipson, Barry Church, Cody Davis, Jarrod Wilson, Ronnie Harrison, Don Carey, Charlie Miller.
Analysis: Gipson was kept out of team drills for most of OTAs, which allowed Davis to get extra work. The Jaguars signed Davis to improve their special teams, but he showed good awareness at free safety. Harrison is training to play strong safety behind Church and would seem to be his eventual replacement. Carey wasn’t noticed much during the offseason program and needs to get going. Miller likely isn’t good enough to stick.
Specialists (4)
Players: K Josh Lambo, P Logan Cooke, LS Carson Tinker, LS Andrew East.
Analysis: Lambo was 19 of 20 last year and looked to be in a good rhythm during the offseason program. Unless the Jaguars sign another punter, the job will go to Cooke. East performed well enough on a tryout basis for the Jaguars to waive long snapper Colin Holba. Tinker has been recovering from ACL surgery. A training camp battle could ensue if Tinker is healthy by then. Another spot to watch is punt return. Mickens played there last season, and Greene has done well there in the past. Westbrook is another option.