The Jacksonville Jaguars released their first regular-season depth chart of 2019 Tuesday. They were able to trim their roster down to the league-mandated 53-man limit by Saturday’s deadline, then proceeded to add four waiver claims on Sunday.
It’s worth noting that the depth chart isn’t what fans should call an official one in which the coaches compile. Instead, it’s one in which was compiled by the public relations team, which should be still relatively accurate.
Here are our thoughts on the listings provided:
Offensive takeaways
The Jags’ depth chart on offense is pretty much as expected. However, one thing that stands out is the fact that the depth chart has Will Richardson and A.J. Cann as co-starters. While coach Doug Marrone hinted at this being the case heading into the last preseason game, I think it’s safe to say fans were hoping for clarity at the position at this point.
In his only start of the preseason, Richardson struggled with penalties, but A.J. Cann wasn’t necessarily better. The fact that Richardson was on Cann’s heels all training camp is telling because Cann has started in 60 games. To most, that would insinuate that Richardson’s ceiling as a player is higher, so in my opinion, it would be smarter to let him start.
Also, Marqise Lee’s chemistry with Nick Foles should be a concern. While he was working towards his return late in the preseason, players like Dede Westbrook DJ Chark and Chris Conley were on fire in training camp, and putting Lee in as a starter over either could maybe slow the momentum of Foles and both receivers. Then again, Lee is the most experienced receiver in the group and is getting paid a lot of money, so it’s not exactly a shock that he’s listed as a starter. Jags fans should hope he can contribute out of the gate because the Jags’ offense will need to stay on pace with the Chiefs’, even with the Jags’ elite defense slowing them down.
Defensive takeaways
As expected, rookie weak-side linebacker Quincy Williams is set to start against the Chiefs, which is good because the Jags will need his speed. He’ll have some big shoes to fill as Telvin Smith’s replacement after the Pro Bowl veteran decided to step away from football for the year.
Additionally, it will be Williams’ first game due to him missing the preseason after a minor procedure to fix a torn meniscus, which could prove to be a tall task. However, when looking at how he fared early in camp, organized team activities and minicamp, he has plenty of talent — it’s just a matter of performing on the big stage.
Special teams
It looks like a lot of the Jags’ waiver claims could be playing out of the gate. With the team releasing long snapper Matt Overton this past weekend, waiver addition and rookie Matt Orzech will be replacing him from the Baltimore Ravens. This is worth mentioning because special teams snapping sometimes suffer when new additions are made, however, I’m sure the staff will have the rookie prepared.
Another takeaway is the slotting of waiver claim Tyler Ervin, who is a co-starter with Dede Westbrook and D.J. Chark at both return positions. However, he’s polished at both positions and will begin his career with the Jags with 496 yards as a punt returner and 609 as a kick returner already.
