Jaguars Rookie Review: Updates on Each 2023 Draft Pick After Colts Win

The Jacksonville Jaguars are turning the page to Week 2. 

The Jaguars exited Week 1 with an important AFC South win, taking down the Indianapolis Colts 31-21 on the road and winning their first game at Lucas Oil Stadium since 2017. 

As with each week of the season, we are going to take a step back from the game and review exactly how the Jaguars' 2023 draft class played a role in the result. 

So, how did the rookies play vs. the Colts? We break it down below. 

1st, No. 27: OT Anton Harrison, Oklahoma

Only four rookie offensive tackles played 15 snaps or more this week: Anton Harrison, Paris Johnson, Darnell Wright, and Dawand Jones due to injury. In short, it is pretty rare in today's climate for a rookie to start at offensive tackle right out of the gate, which is a sign of both how impressive it is to do so and how tough the challenge is. 

Harrison had the third-best outing of the four tackles if we are to just go off the raw numbers. Harrison allowed two pressures in 36 pass-protection snaps, which is two more than Jones and Johnson but three fewer than Wright allowed. Harrison had his hands full with Kwity Paye on a number of occasions, but things won't get any easier in Week 3 when he faces Will Anderson. The Kansas City Chiefs don't have as good of an edge rusher as Paye, but it will still be a tough test for a young offensive tackle.

2nd, No. 61: TE Brenton Strange, Penn State

It was a relatively quiet day for Brenton Strange, who was utilized as a blocker but also was third in line for snaps among tight ends. Strange played 27 snaps, running five routes, blocking in pass-pro three times and run-blocking on 19 snaps. He didn't see a target on his five routes and was more or less deployed purely as a check down option. 

Strange does deserve credit for his efforts on Tank Bigsby's successful goal-line run before his touchdown, helping Bigsby carry Colts' defenders past the first-down marker. Overall, though, we saw the kind of role we expect for Strange. He is going to have a role as a blocker, but anything he brings to the passing game is secondary right now.

3rd, No. 88: RB Tank Bigsby, Auburn

It was an uneven debut for Tank Bigsby, and that is probably putting it pretty mildly. Bigsby played just 15 snaps to Etienne's 56, while being out-touched seven to Etienne's 23. Bigsby was mostly featured whenever he was in the game, but it was obviously tough sledding. He gained just 13 yards (1.9 yards per carry) on seven carries, though this could have been a function of an outmatched offensive line. According to Pro Football Focus, Bigsby gained 14 yards after contact. Considering he gained only 13 yards, it is clear the blocking wasn't exactly there. 

On the other hand, it was clearly a disastrous day for Bigsby in terms of ball security. Bigsby let his lone target of the day go off his hands and end up in a deflected that landed in the arms of Colts' defensive back Tony Brown for an interception. Bigsby was then on the ground end of a fumble recovered for a touchdown after he didn't play to the whistle on Trevor Lawrence's strip-sack. 

“Those, it's interesting because if you go in there and ask every offensive player right now, they will tell you exactly what we talk about Thursdays," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said after the game. 

"We talk about getting on every loose ball and for some reason, we all kind of froze. You know, it's obviously a learning moment for Tank (Bigsny), for the offense, for the guys but for a young player to come back like he did and have those tough runs late in the game, I think is a credit to him and the ability to shake off a negative play.”

With this in mind, Bigsby did have two big runs late in the game. He scored a touchdown in the final five minutes to put Jacksonville up by three, setting up Tyson Campbell's interception and a game-ending touchdown run by Travis Etienne. On the run before that, Bigsby dragged several Colts defenders after being hit in the backfield, gaining four yards and a new set of downs at the one. 

4th, No. 121: LB Ventrell Miller, Florida

Ventrell Miller is on injured reserve and is not on the active roster.

4th, No. 130: DL Tyler Lacy, Oklahoma State

Tyler Lacy missed Week 1 with a hip injury. 

5th, No. 136: EDGE/LB Yasir Abdullah, Louisville

Yasir Abdullah played limited snaps in his NFL debut, playing six snaps on the Colts' final drive of the game. He did make the most of his reps, however, recording one pressure on five pass-rush opportunities. For context, No. 3 OLB K'Lavon Chaisson had 14 pass rush reps and recorded zero pressures. Abdullah beat the right tackle with a great inside move, showing signs of some pass-rush juice behind Josh Allen and Travon Walker. 

5th, No. 160: DB Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M

Antonio Johnson missed Week 1 with a hamstring injury. 

6th, No. 185: WR Parker Washington, Penn State

Parker Washington was a healthy scratch for Week 1. 

6th, No. 202: CB Christian Braswell, Rutgers

Chrisitan Braswell was a healthy scratch for Week 1. 

6th, No. 208: S Erick Hallett II, Pittsburgh

Erick Hallett is on the practice squad and was not active for Week 1.

7th, No. 226: OL Cooper Hodges, App. State

Cooper Hodges is on injured reserve and is not on the active roster. 

7th, No. 227: DL Raymond Vohasek, UNC

Raymond Vohasek is not on the Jaguars' active roster or practice squad. 

7th, No. 240: FB Derek Parish, Houston

Fullback Derek Parish is on the practice squad and was not active for Week 1.

UDFA: WR Elijah Cooks

Undrafted wide receiver Cooks was a healthy scratch for Week 1.