With the NFL preseason comes cut season and, as these choices loom for every NFL team, it’s about time for the Jacksonville Jaguars to start making cut decisions. Which Jaguars players will probably hit the road following camp this year?
Jacksonville Jaguars Cut Predictions Leading Up to Week Three of Preseason
It’s no secret that Jacksonville was a top franchise in off-season acquisitions this year, but sometimes, with addition comes subtraction.
So far the Jaguars have waived injured running back Jonas Gray, but there will be more cuts made in the near future. Week three will be the tell tale game for all NFL teams, as the Jaguars and 31 other franchises must reduce their roster to 75 players by Aug. 30. By Sept. 4, rosters must be reduced to playing weight, which is a 53 man roster.
So who are some candidates for release from the Jaguars prior to the Aug. 30 or Sep. 4 deadlines?
Jags Have Too Many Defensive Linemen
One name to start with is defensive end Bjoern Werner. While the Jaguars love former Florida State Seminole players, the Jags are loaded with defensive linemen. Perhaps he could serve as a backup to rookies Dante Fowler Jr. or Yannik Ngakoue, but Werner doesn’t seem to fit the mold of what the Jaguars want from a pass rusher.
While productive in college, the German born defensive lineman accrued only 6.5 sacks in 38 games while with the Indianapolis Colts. Werner could provide solid depth and perhaps redefine his career on a roster full of his old college buddies. But a more likely scenario is that Werner gets buried on the depth chart, and doesn’t make it to the 53 man roster.
Team is Loaded at Defensive Backfield
Other names to watch include cornerback Demetrius McCray. McCray appeared in 14 games last season, and recorded 25 tackles in three games started. Perhaps Jacksonville will keep him around for depth or special teams action. But McCray is projected to be fourth on the Jaguars depth chart that features cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Prince Amukamara, Davon House, Dwayne Gratz and Aaron Colvin.
With Amukamara and Ramsey playing well in their first camp with the team, McCray doesn’t stand to see the field nearly as often as he did last season, and the Jaguars may elect to cut ties with him fairly soon.
Another defensive back that may be on the lookout for a new squad is safety Josh Evans, who struggled in coverage last season, along with most of the other players in the Jaguars secondary. With the addition of productive safety Tashaun Gipson, the depth chart became even more crowded.
Another player from the secondary is former Auburn Tiger Nick Marshall, who saw a decent amount of playing time last season due to injuries and overall instability at the cornerback position. But Marshall is still a project, since he was a high school cornerback who played quarterback in college, but was converted back to cornerback with the Jaguars. Undoubtedly a tremendous athlete, Marshall may sneak in based on his natural skills, but he could also hear from general manager Dave Caldwell, and be cut from the team.
A Talented Receiving Core With Little Room for Everyone
With so many receivers clogging the depth chart, Arrelious Benn may be the odd man out in that department. A player who has struggled with injuries throughout his NFL career, the Jaguars may not need Benn’s services with a receiving core that features two Pro Bowl caliber pass catchers.
Another name that may be on the list is Bryan Walters, but he does provide a solid option at punt returner and in special teams coverage.
With Improvements Come Tough Decisions
For the Jaguars, having to make tough decisions regarding fringe players is a positive sign that they’re moving up in the NFL world. In the past, the players on this list would’ve been on the two deep roster without question.
The team hasn’t had this much talent heading into a season in at least eight years. While it’s unfortunate for players trying to make the team, it shows the vast improvements Jacksonville has made in a short period of time.
Jaguars fans just have to hope that head coach Gus Bradley and Caldwell make the right decisions when in comes to cutting the roster in half over the next 10 days.
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