The Jacksonville Jaguars open training camp July 25 at the team’s facility in Jacksonville, Florida. Here’s a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Nick Foles, Gardner Minshew
The coaching staff really likes Minshew -- offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said, “You just feel him when he’s on the field” -- but don’t be surprised if the Jaguars add a veteran after final cuts so they can have some experience behind Foles, who has never started 16 games in a season.
RUNNING BACK (4): Leonard Fournette, Alfred Blue, Ryquell Armstead, Benny Cunningham
The Jaguars are in much better shape to overcome a Fournette injury than they were last season, with Blue and Armstead, who rushed for 34 touchdowns in four seasons at Temple. Blue is a solid, veteran presence in the running backs room and has shown that he can fill in as a starter when needed. Cunningham is the favorite to be the third-down back and was signed to be a contributor on special teams.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Marqise Lee, Dede Westbrook, Chris Conley, DJ Chark, Keelan Cole, Terrelle Pryor
Lee is coming back from a severe knee injury, and it might be several weeks into camp before he’s fully cleared. Westbrook became the Jaguars’ best offensive playmaker last season and accounted for two of the team’s four total touchdowns in the final five games. Conley was the most impressive receiver in OTAs and minicamp and has the second-most catches of any receiver on the roster. Chark and Cole have to prove that they’re beyond the ball-security issues that plagued them last season. Pryor gives the Jaguars a big red zone target.
TIGHT END (3): Geoff Swaim, Josh Oliver, James O’Shaughnessy
If the Jaguars opt to keep a fourth tight end -- Ben Koyack, most likely -- they might keep only five receivers. Oliver flashed throughout OTAs and minicamp, and the staff is excited about what he can do in the offense. O’Shaughnessy will pull some fullback duties at times too.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10): Cam Robinson, Andrew Norwell, Brandon Linder, A.J. Cann, Jawaan Taylor, Tyler Shatley, Josh Wells, Will Richardson Jr., Brandon Thomas, Cedric Ogbuehi
It could be several weeks into camp before Robinson is fully cleared in his return from a torn ACL. Norwell (ankle) and Linder (knee) also are returning from season-ending injuries, and Norwell missed time in OTAs because of another ankle injury. Taylor, the Jaguars’ second-round pick, should be the starter at right tackle. Richardson has worked inside at guard as well as tackle, and if the Jaguars feel comfortable with him playing both, they could opt to keep just nine linemen.
DEFENSIVE LINE (10): Yannick Ngakoue, Marcell Dareus, Abry Jones, Calais Campbell, Josh Allen, Lerentee McCray, Dawuane Smoot, Taven Bryan, Eli Ankou, Dontavius Russell
It’s unclear if Ngakoue will show up for camp after skipping mandatory minicamp because he wants a new contract. If he doesn’t, that’s additional reps for Allen, the No. 7 overall pick. Bryan had a disappointing rookie season, and the Jaguars need him to be much better to help offset the team’s decision to part ways with Malik Jackson. Campbell has 25 sacks in his two seasons with the Jaguars.
LINEBACKER (5): Myles Jack, Leon Jacobs, Quincy Williams, Jake Ryan, Ramik Wilson
The Jaguars have to replace Telvin Smith (he said he’s taking the year off to deal with health and family issues) at weakside linebacker, and right now the job is going to Williams, the team’s third-round pick. He isn't big (listed at 5-foot-11), but he can really run and is a big hitter. Ryan, a free agent who broke in with the Green Bay Packers, is returning from a torn ACL.
SECONDARY (10): Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, Ronnie Harrison, Jarrod Wilson, D.J. Hayden, Quenton Meeks, Tre Herndon, Cody Davis, C.J. Reavis, Andrew Wingard
The biggest question here is at safety after the team parted ways with strong safety Barry Church and free safety Tashaun Gipson. Harrison flashed at strong safety last season, but Wilson has started just two games (both at strong safety) in his three previous seasons and was mainly a special-teamer.
SPECIALISTS (3): K Josh Lambo, P Logan Cooke, LS Matt Overton
Lambo has made six of seven field goals of 50 yards or longer in his two seasons with the Jaguars.