4 Jaguars Players Whose Roster Spots Are in Jeopardy Ahead of Training Camp

The Jacksonville Jaguars should be feeling great heading into training camp. After addressing most of their needs during the offseason, they don’t appear to have any glaring weaknesses. Sure, they need to get a handful of position groups in order, but that shouldn’t be a problem.

The Jags don’t have many starting positions open, after all. On the other hand, there are several roster spots up for grabs, and these five players could have a tough time getting one unless they shine in training camp.

Last year, the Jaguars’ depth at offensive tackle was tested by injuries, with Cam Robinson, Walker Little and left guard Ezra Cleveland alternating at the position. At one point, they were reduced to fourth-stringer Blake Hance.

To no one’s surprise, Hance was overwhelmed, surrendering a troubling 11 pressures on just 84 pass-blocking snaps. He wasn’t much better in the run-blocking department, earning a Pro Football Focus grade of 10.0. But despite his struggles, the Jags re-signed him in free agency. But once again, he could fall victim to the numbers game.

The Jaguars could have released Cam Robinson to the free agency market and cleared $17 million in cap space, but he’s expected to play in Jacksonville next season. Walker Little is also back, and to bolster the depth at offensive tackle, the front office drafted Javon Foster. The surplus at that position could make Hance redundant.

After going undrafted in 2019, Hance signed with the Buffalo Bills. However, he was released a few weeks later. He promptly joined the Washington Commanders for a few months and later joined the Jags for the start of the regular season.

Hance spent the 2019 season on the Jags’ practice squad. He was released the following year and played with the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers before returning to Jacksonville in November 2022. It was during his year with the Browns that the former Northwestern Wildcat saw his most extensive playing time, appearing in all 17 games with eight starts.

Hance may have benefited from getting some playing time last year. That said, it seems like he has a long way to go to earn a spot on the Jaguars’ roster next season. The best-case scenario for him would be to land on their practice squad.

The Jaguars released Darious Williams in the offseason and also released Tre Herndon and Chris Claybrooks in free agency. To make up for their loss, they signed Ronald Darby in free agency and later used a pair of draft picks on Deantre Prince and Jarrian Jones.

When you add in the return of starter Tyson Campbell and reserves Chris Braswell, Gregory Junior and Montaric Brown, chances are Jacksonville won’t have a spot for Tevaugh Campbell in 2024.

In 2022, the Jags claimed Campbell off waivers midseason to bolster their depth at the position. He ultimately appeared in five games and logged 31 snaps. The Ontario, Canada native returned last season. This time around, however, he only played two games and played one defensive snap.

Campbell played American football at the University of Regina in Canada and later played for the Calgary Stampeders, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL before getting his chance in the NFL.

The New York Jets signed Campbell in 2019 but released him before the start of the regular season. He spent the next two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers before being cut. He was then waived by the Las Vegas Raiders before going to the Jags.

Like Hance, Campbell doesn’t appear to have a shot at making the 53-man roster, but he’s a strong candidate for the practice squad.

Every year, all the NFL teams draft a player who could prove to be a diamond in the rough. Outside linebacker Yasir Abdullah fit the bill for the Jags last year.

Abdullah, a fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft, recorded 32 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks. But at 6’1″, he lacks the ideal height to rush the quarterback on the edge. Still, the Jaguars didn’t have many appealing options behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, so the Florida native had a chance to move up the depth chart and contribute. Ultimately, he wasn’t a huge factor.

Abdullah was inactive for several games last year, ultimately appearing on 45 defensive snaps. In his favor is the new defensive staff, so the sophomore will have a clean slate. Another thing that could help him find his feet is that he’ll be moving from edge rusher to off linebacker in 2024.

On the other hand, the Jaguars are well-stocked with linebackers. Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd are slated to start. Barring any sudden developments, Chad Muma will be the best backup at that position. Also in the mix are Caleb Johnson and sophomore Ventrell Miller, who will be looking to move up the rankings after missing his rookie season.

Another thing that could hurt Abdullah’s chances of making the roster is that he doesn’t contribute on special teams, but if he did, he’d have a better chance of making the team.

The Jaguars appeared to be in great shape at receiver in 2023 after devoting seven roster spots to the position last year. But when the regular season began, their lack of experience was apparent. The coaching staff struggled all year to find a suitable replacement for Zay Jones. The offense also suffered a setback when Christian Kirk suffered a core injury. One of those asked to step down but not doing much of note was Elijah Cooks.

Cooks, an undrafted free agent last year, signed with the Jags and made their initial 53-man roster. However, he was inactive for several games, finishing his rookie season with just three receptions for 38 yards and no touchdowns.

In his defense, Cooks didn’t get much playing time due to his low-down on the draft. Plus, the former San Jose State Spartan was still finding his feet in the NFL, so his lack of production shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Cooks now has a year of experience and a better understanding of what it takes to play in the NFL. On the other hand, earning a roster spot could be more expensive than it was last year. After all, Gabe Davis, Brian Thomas Jr., Christian Kirk, Devin Duvernay and sophomore Parker Washington are all guaranteed to make the team. That could leave two spots open if Jacksonville returns with seven receivers. Undrafted rookie Joshua Cephus, along with Tim Jones and Cooks, are reportedly in contention for them.

The coaching staff likes Jones for his blocking skills. On the other hand, Cephus has an intriguing ceiling. Cooks will have to prove he can contribute as much as they do if he doesn’t want to be on the outside looking in.

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