The Jacksonville Jaguars will take the field for their last preseason game of 2019 against the Atlanta Falcons, which could also prove to be the last time their bubble players get to prove themselves.
Here are seven players fans should watch Thursday night whether they are fighting for a practice squad spot or roster spot:
QB Alex McGough
Alex McGough is going to unquestionably see a lot of play time Thursday against the Falcons, and his performance could determine whether the Jags keep him on the final roster or practice squad. Simply put, if he impresses too much, that could peak the interest of other team’s, so the Jags may have to keep him as a third quarterback if they feel iffy about him getting snagged on the waiver wire.
As of right now, McGough’s body of work says he’s more of a practice squad guy as he’s currently 5-of-17 for 29 passing yards, a touchdown and a pick. That said, the second-year quarterback will enter Week 4 hoping to improve his performance and should worry later about where that lands him.
WR C.J. Board
C.J. Board has really done all he can during the Jags preseason games, leading the team in receptions the past two weeks. He currently has a team-high total of 10 catches for 115 yards and that will probably increase against the Falcons as he’s seen a lot of time on the field with both of the Jags reserve quarterbacks.
Board knows his last impression will be everything, and with Tre McBride struggling and Terrelle Pryor failing to stay healthy, he knows the No. 6 receiver spot is within reach. If he can have another four catch game or snag a touchdown, a spot on the final 53-man roster will be hard to deny him of.
LB Joe Giles-Harris
Joe Giles-Harris looks to be a candidate for the Jags’ last linebacker spot after having some flashes during the preseason. He’s managed to accumulate seven tackles so far on the preseason and should see extensive time on the field Thursday with the starters potentially sitting.
Of course, Myles Jack and Quincy Williams are shoo-ins as starters at linebacker, while Najee Goode and D.J. Alexander seem like safe bets to make the roster, too. That could leave a spot for Giles-Harris to make it on the back end, but if not, the Jags will almost certainly try and land him on practice squad.
CB Breon Borders
The Jags’ No. 5 cornerback spot should be Breon Borders’ to lose. He has a little more experience that both Picasso Nelson Jr. and Tae Hayes and also has a little more height. He got off to a bit of a slow start Week 1 of the preseason as the Baltimore Ravens targeted him occasionally. Since then, he’s settled down and will come into with eight tackles to his name.
CB Tae Hayes
As mentioned earlier, Borders has the edge over Hayes due to experience and height, however, he still shouldn’t be ruled out if he outperforms Borders. He’s been quite impressive and will enter Week 4 as one of the highest graded rookies of the preseason (No. 20) per Pro Football Focus with a 80.7.
That, of course, is because he’s been sound in coverage and a very active player accumulating seven tackles, four pass breakups and a pick.
CB Picasso Nelson Jr.
Nelson is in the same boat as Hayes, minus the extravagant PFF grade. Still, he’s been impressive, too, and made his biggest splash Week 2 snagging a pick, which put the team in position to acquire their first touchdown of the preseason.
Nelson will enter Week 4’s game with six tackles, a pick and a sack. If he can add a few impact plays to his resume, he’ll make the decision for the No. 5 cornerback spot that much more harder on the staff.
NT Dontavius Russell
There is a big debate on whether the Jags should or could keep 10 defensive linemen. Unfortunately, with Dontavius Russell being on the back end of the depth chart, he could be the odd man out.
On the flip side, it appears Doug Marrone likes the rookie as he praised his strength this week. Additionally, with Russell coming from a high profile school like Auburn it’s possible teams are well aware of him and would snag him up in a heartbeat if cut. That said, if he has a solid performance against the Falcons, the Jags might elect to keep him.
