The Jacksonville Jaguars announced their final 53-man roster Saturday afternoon, and it consisted of a few shockers. And though some of the bubble players aren’t cemented into it with waiver claims coming up, we’ve decided to give our takes on the initial roster.
Here are seven takeaways we got from the current group of 53 in which the Jags have decided to roll with as of Saturday:
The Jags should look to add a veteran backup QB
Gardner Minshew saw ample snaps this preseason and the results weren’t what fans had hoped for despite him not taking the field with a starting-caliber supporting cast. Ultimately, he ended the process 54-of-96 for 468 passing yards without registering a score though he also didn’t throw any interceptions. Additionally, his arm strength looked questionable when trying to connect on certain routes. That said, it appears he needs time to develop as most sixth-round quarterbacks would and the Jags should bring in a veteran to allow that.
After final cuts players like DeShone Kizer and Brian Hoyer became available and it will be interesting to see if the Jags make a move on either player or a backup who has played in the regular season. Most fans certainly seem to think that might be a wise move when considering Nick Foles’ past with injuries.
The Jags went light on tailbacks, and it may be a questionable move
The Jags only carried three tailbacks onto the final 53-man roster, and when considering Leonard Fournette’s history with injuries, Alfred Blue’s current status with an ankle injury and Ryquell Armstead’s rough summer with injuries, their numbers at the position are a little concerning. Then again, it’s possible the Jags may look to add help at the position through the waiver wire.
One name that comes to mind is that of Wendell Smallwood, who was a part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ 2017 team that included Foles and coordinator John DeFilippo. Veteran LeSean McCoy is also on the open market, though most doubt the Jags would want to go that route. However, if they want another veteran in the room with Fournette and Armstead it can’t be ruled out.
The Jags like the growth C.J. Board showed in the preseason
Most felt the Jags would bring six receivers into the regular season, however, nobody exactly knew who the No. 6 would be. As we projected, it ended up being C.J. Board, who finished second on the team in receiving this preseason with 10 catches for 115 yards.
When looking at his overall performance, he displayed better hands than the competition and was healthier than veteran Terrelle Pryor Sr., who most thought could beat him out. Additionally, the Jags have gotten to watch Board’s development since December and clearly liked the progress he’s made since joining the Jags as a practice squad member.
The Jags probably went heavy at TE because of injuries
Many were puzzled with the Jags’ decision to carry four tight ends into the regular season, however, it’s clear why they did it. Josh Oliver missed a majority of training camp dealing with a hamstring injury, but did work out on the side during the preseason. He’s expected to be back Week 1, but his injury was labeled as significant and hamstring injuries can be tricky.
Geoff Swaim is somewhat in the same boat as Oliver, except he battled a foot injury in the preseason. He too is expected to be ready for Week 1. That said, the Jags were wise to go with four tight ends because they’ll ultimately have two on the injury report Week 1.
Similarly to C.J. Board, the Jags like how CB Breon Borders has developed
Breon Borders got the nod as the Jags’ No. 5 corner as we expected. He finished the season in a contest with Picasso Nelson Jr. and Tae Hayes, but ultimately the Jags went with Borders because they probably liked the growth he’s shown since joining their practice squad last October. He was able to register six total tackles on the preseason and showed the ability to overcome adversity as he was targeted Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens, but settled down later in the preseason.
Now, they will probably look to develop Nelson and Hayes in the same manner if they can clear the waiver wire.
2 undrafted rookies made the cut
Linebacker Joe Giles-Harris and Andrew Wingard were able to defy the odds and make the team as undrafted rookies. Both made plays on defense during the preseason, but most importantly they proved to have value on special teams, which often is the biggest factor that helps undrafted free agents.
Giles-Harris, who signed with the Jags out of Duke after April’s draft, played in all four preseason games which included two starts against the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons. He was able to accumulate 14 total tackles in the process and it appears he’ll predominately serve as a reserve at weak-side linebacker, while mostly getting snaps on the punt and kickoff teams in the regular season.
Wingard also started the preseason off strong, earning multiple positive grades per Pro Football Focus Week 1 against the Ravens. While seeing the field for 50 snaps that game, he proved to be a fundamental tackler, registering four on the night. He continued to display his tackling skills throughout the rest of the preseason, too, and the Jags clearly took note to it and wanted him as a developmental safety and special teams player.
The Jags are showing patience with a few members on the defensive line, but it’s coming at a cost
Many were upset that the Jags let Datone Jones go and kept players like Taven Bryan and Eli Ankou on the roster, and rightfully so. However, the Jags wouldn’t be smart to move on from Bryan a year after drafting him because it simply would be unwise to throw away a recent first-round pick so soon. Additionally, he still has time to develop, although we agree Jones should’ve made the final roster despite that.
Ankou over Jones, on the other hand, really is puzzling as he’s spent much of his career with the team inactive. Then again, maybe they view him as the nose tackle of the future with Marcell Dareus set to leave next season.
