HAYS BLOG: Final Jaguars 53-Man Roster Projection

By Hays Carlyon

The preseason ended on a positive note for the Jaguars after an impressive 34-14 victory in Dallas on Sunday.

Now, the focus turns to trimming the roster to the 53-man limit by 4 p.m. Tuesday.

I do expect the Jaguars to claim four-to-six players off the waiver wire as they have the first pick on every player that is cut. That’s 837 players the Jaguars will make a thumbs up or down vote on before the rest of the league has a say.

Here is my projection of how the initial team will look. I’m set in my ways when it comes to roster balance. I like 25 on offense and defense and then the three specialists.

QUARTERBACK (2)

Who: Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Beathard.

Why: The Jaguars traded Gardner Minshew to Philadelphia for a late-round pick on Saturday creating much-needed clarity at this position. I don’t see a need to keep Jake Luton on the roster. Ideally, he will make it through waivers and be signed to the practice squad.

RUNNING BACK (4)

Who: James Robinson, Carlos Hyde, Dare Ogunbowale and Devine Ozigbo.

Why: The Travis Etienne season-ending foot injury is devastating. This should be a position that gets help through a waiver claim.

RECEIVER (6)

Who: DJ Chark, Marvin Jones, Laviska Shenault, Phillip Dorsett, Jamal Agnew and Collin Johnson.

Why: Collin Johnson has been too good to cut, but I’ll admit I’m worried. Laquon Treadwell had a good first half of training camp, but then got quiet. He played well against Dallas though. Agnew is the return specialist. Dorsett showed his value getting deep on a 38-yard pass from Lawrence early in the Cowboys win. Sixth-round pick Jalen Camp should clear waivers and be added to the practice squad.

TIGHT END (4)

Who: Chris Manhertz, James O’Shaughnessy, Luke Farrell and Ben Ellefson.

Why: The worst position on the team. I’ll be shocked if the Jaguars don’t add a player off waivers here. I think this is the end of the road for Tyler Davis, a sixth-round pick last year.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)

Who: Cam Robinson, Andrew Norwell, Brandon Linder, A.J. Cann, Jawaan Taylor, Walker Little, Ben Bartch, Tyler Shatley and Will Richardson.

Why: The line looks set and I believe will be a pleasant surprise once healthy. The starting five should all be ready for the regular-season opener at Houston on Sept. 12. The depth is improving as well. They were great against Dallas playing without four starters. Seven of the nine players are Jaguars draft picks and another, Shatley, has only played for the Jaguars after making the team as an undrafted free agent in 2014. Only Norwell isn’t home grown.

DEFENSIVE LINE (7)

Who: Roy Robertson-Harris, Malcom Brown, DaVon Hamilton, Jay Tufele, Adam Gotsis, Taven Bryan and Doug Costin.

Why: Costin is a player I’m pulling for because I liked what I saw last season. I don’t think the staff will give up on Bryan because of his raw power. I do think one or two waiver additions could be added here.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (5)

Who: Josh Allen, K’Lavon Chaisson, Dawuane Smoot, Jihad Ward and Jordan Smith.

Why: These five are all set. Smoot and Ward had quality camps. Smith has exciting potential.

INSIDE LINEBACKER (4)

Who: Myles Jack, Damien Wilson, Shaq Quarterman and Dakota Allen.

Why: Allen gets the nod but it’s a shaky one. Whoever is the fourth man here will have a long 24 hours waiting on waivers to come in. This absolutely could be a spot the Jaguars try to upgrade through a waiver claim. The Jaguars cut 2019 third-round pick Quincy Williams.

CORNERBACK (5)

Who: Shaq Griffin, CJ Henderson, Tyson Campbell, Tre Herndon and Sidney Jones.

Why: I’m really encouraged by the progress Henderson made in the second half of camp. I also agree with the Jaguars coaches that Campbell looks good despite giving up multiple touchdowns. He sticks to his man. Herndon and Jones are quality veteran reserves.

SAFETY (4)

Who: Rayshawn Jenkins, Andre Cisco, Rudy Ford and Josh Jones.

Why: You can argue keeping a fifth safety like Jarrod Wilson, Daniel Thomas or Andrew Wingard. The Jaguars might go that route, but I prefer keeping four. If I kept a fifth, I’d retain Thomas, a fifth-round pick a year ago.

SPECIALISTS (3)

Who: Josh Lambo (kicker), Logan Cooke (punter) and Ross Matiscik (long snapper).

Why: Lambo looked good against Dallas and hopefully has ended any drama there.

(You can email Hays at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @HaysCarlyon).