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The dust has barely settled on the NFL Draft, but it's never too early to start projecting what the Jacksonville Jaguars' 53-man roster might look like come September. With a mix of new faces, returning veterans, and young players looking to break through, the competition across several position groups should be fierce. While plenty can change between now and September, this early roster prediction offers a first glimpse at how the Jaguars might look heading into a momentous 2025 season.
Quarterback: (2) Trevor Lawrence, Nick Mullens
No real surprises here. The overhyped and underwhelming Trevor Lawrence enters his fifth year as the unquestioned starter. However, this season feels like it is make-or-break for him to take that long-awaited leap into elite territory. If not, come this time next year, we could be having a very different conversation about who the Jaguars will be starting at quarterback.
Veteran Nick Mullens is the early favorite for the backup job. Mullens brings experience and a steady hand to the QB2 role behind Lawrence. But don't count out undrafted rookie Seth Henigan from Memphis. While he will likely need time to adjust to the NFL level, Henigan has the arm talent, leadership, and processing skills to make things interesting in camp. If he impresses, Mullens' spot might not be as safe as it seems.
Running backs: (4) Bhayshul Tuten, LeQuint Allen Jr., Ja'Quinden Jackson, Tank Bigsby
This is a bold and youth-heavy group, but it is a reflection of the Jaguars' desire to refresh a disappointing backfield that lacked consistent juice last season. Tuten showed explosive ability at Virginia Tech and should be the home-run element the offense needs. LeQuint Allen Jr. is a versatile, north-south runner who plays bigger than his frame and offers some value as a receiving threat. Ja'Quinden Jackson is a converted quarterback who is still raw but offers immense upside with his power and athleticism.
Tank Bigsby is the lone holdover from last season's running back room. The Jags will hope Bigsby can bounce back from an uneven rookie season, but don't be surprised if he isn't around come week 1. With Travis Etienne not making the roster- whether due to being traded or being cut - the door opens for a group of young, hungry backs to step up.
Wide Receiver: (6) Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, Dyami Brown, Parker Washington, Eli Pancol, Chandler Brayboy
The Jaguars are clearly going for explosiveness, versatility, and upside with this receiving corps. First-round selections Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter instantly become one of the most exciting and talented duos in the NFL. Fireworks are a certainty from these two young phenoms. Brown offers deep speed and a veteran presence, while Washington brings a reliable slot option with soft hands and short-area quickness. Pancol and Brayboy are your under-the-radar names to watch. Both offer something different, but both will need to impress on special teams to make the final 53.
Tight Ends: (4) Brenton Strange, Hunter Long, Johnny Mundt, Patrick Herbert
The Jaguars go with a deep, versatile tight end room. Strange, a former second-round pick, leads the group and is expected to be the starter come Week 1. Long and Mundt bring veteran experience to the group and true blocking talent for Liam Coen's offense. The wildcard here is undrafted rookie free agent Patrick Herbert. He offers size, NFL bloodlines (brother of Chargers QB Justin Herbert), and the kind of developmental upside teams covet in a TE4.
Offensive Line: (9) Walker Little, Anton Harrison, Patrick Mekari, Robert Hainsey, Wyatt Milum, Jonah Monheim, Chuma Edoga, Sal Wormley, Fred Johnson
The Jaguars have revamped this position group with the additions of Mekari, Hainsey, Edoga, Johnson, Wormley, Monheim, and Milum through free agency and the draft. Walker Little and Anton Harrison are the only returning players in this group from last season. Mekari and Hainsey were brought in to be starters at center and right guard. In this prediction, rookie Wyatt Milum wins the starting left guard position, and the Jags move on from the inconsistent Ezra Cleveland. Only time will tell if these moves are a step in the right direction or lateral moves from last year.
Defensive Line: (10) Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, Arik Armstead, Maason Smith, Emmanuel Ogbah, Jordan Jefferson, Davon Hamilton, Eli Mostaert, Ethan Downs, B.J, Green II
Hines-Allen, Walker, and Armstead highlight this group as the leaders and most productive. Walker and Hines-Allen will hope to maintain some consistency in their pass-rush and get some help from the rest of the defensive line. Recent free agent signing Emmanuel Ogbah bolsters a pass rush that was non-existent last season. The youth movement continues to be a theme throughout this newly constructed roster. Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson are returning second-year players who look to continue to develop.
Davon Hamilton is a veteran anchor in the middle, but hopes to bounce back this season after a disappointing 2024. Mostaert and Downs are your classic high-motor and disruptive guys. Green II brings rotational pass-rushing upside from the edge. The Jags hope to see a more physical front with a knack for getting to the quarterback.
Linebackers: (5) Foye Oluokun, Jack Kiser, Ventrell Miller, Chad Muma, Branson Combs
This is arguably the weakest unit on the team, outside of quarterback. Oluokun is the star of his group and has cemented himself as one of the best all-around middle linebackers in the NFL. Kiser, Miller, and Muma will compete for the other two starting spots, with the odd man out being a great depth piece. Branson Combs is the long shot as an undrafted free agent but offers athleticism, a high motor, and toughness that should translate to special teams contributions right away. Combs could be a practice squad stash if the Jags don't move on from Devin Lloyd.
Cornerback: (5) Tyson Campbell, Travis Hunter, Jourdan Lewis, Jarrion Jones, Aydan White, Montaric Brown
The question with this group is how much will unicorn Travis Hunter play on the defensive side of the ball? If he plays a significant amount of snaps, Hunter and Campbell could make one of the NFL's best young corner tandems. Campbell had a disappointing year in 2024, but looks to regain his 2022 and 2023 form. Lewis was brought in as a big-time free agency signing to man the slot. Jones had an impressive rookie season at times but was inconsistent for stretches.
Brown is the high-motor, hard-working vet of the group. Aydan White has all of the tools to be a long-term player in this league. Questions about his athletic ability caused him to go undrafted, but the tape doesn't lie.
Safety: (5) Eric Murray, Darnell Savage, Caleb Ransaw, Antonio Johnson, Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig
Eric Murray was brought in via free agency, but many feel like he was overpaid and overvalued. Time will tell who was right. Savage and Johnson return from last year's team and offer flexibility to play safety or slide into the slot in dime packages. Ransaw was drafted in the third round this year, and all signs point to him being an impact player immediately with his versatility to play outside corner, slot, or safety.
Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig joins his former Colorado teammate, Travis Hunter, to round out the safety group. While he is undersized, he plays above his weight class with a high motor and penchant for laying the wood with big hits. He should fit in nicely on special teams with the upside to develop into an eventual depth piece.
Special Teams: (3) Cam Little, Logan Cooke, Ross Matiscik
This unit is solid and no surprises here. Little, Cooke, and Matiscik are locks to make the roster, barring any kind of injuries. Little had an outstanding rookie year, keeping the trend of high-end talent in kickers going in Duval. Cooke has developed into one of the best punters in the league, and like Motiscik, is coming off a Pro Bowl season.
Jacksonville is betting on upside and youth. GM James Gladstone has stated the team will be bold and aggressive, not living with any regrets or doubts. There will be tough cuts, surprise risers, and likely a few late additions before Week 1 - but if this roster gels, it could lay the foundation for a more competitive and dynamic Jaguars team come this fall.
More must-reads:
- NFL backup quarterback ratings 2025: Assessing all 32 teams
- Hero RB explained: Top fantasy football targets for 2025
- The '2023 NFL AP second-team All-Pro' quiz
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