The Jacksonville Jaguars are hoping new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden can fix an offense that averaged just 18.8 points per game last season and do it with essentially the same personnel with just a few additions. Defensively, the Jaguars have to overcome losses along the defensive line to fix a run defense that gave up 139 yards per game last season.
Here is a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Gardner Minshew, Mike Glennon, Jake Luton
Glennon has been OK in camp while Josh Dobbs has really struggled at times. The Jaguars could opt to go with sixth-round pick Jake Luton because he has flashed throughout camp. Gruden and Minshew raved about Luton picking up the offense quickly. He's got a strong arm and the Jaguars might not want to risk cutting him to get him back on the practice squad.
RUNNING BACK (5): Chris Thompson, Ryquell Armstead, Devine Ozigbo, James Robinson, Bruce Miller (FB)
The surprise release of Leonard Fournette means the Jaguars are going to go with the "back by committee" approach where the rotation will change weekly based on matchups. Ozigbo has had a good camp and Thompson, if he can stay healthy, is a good pass-catcher who excels in a third-down role.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): DJ Chark, Chris Conley, Dede Westbrook, Keelan Cole, Laviska Shenault, Collin Johnson
Cole has had a very good camp. Shenault has been very impressive and it'll be interesting to see just how the Jaguars use the former Colorado standout this season. Westbrook has been limited by a shoulder injury and if the Jaguars only opt to keep five receivers, he'd be the likely casualty.
TIGHT END (3): Tyler Eifert, James O'Shaughnessy, Tyler Davis
Josh Oliver went on IR with a broken foot, so that should mean a bigger role for Davis. If the Jaguars decide to keep four tight ends, Ben Ellefson and Matt Flanagan are options. This might be a position the Jaguars would bolster by adding players cut by other teams.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Cam Robinson, Andrew Norwell, Brandon Linder, A.J. Cann, Jawaan Taylor, Will Richardson, Tyler Shatley, Ben Bartch, Tre'Vour Wallace-Simms
Richardson's ability to play tackle and guard makes him a valuable reserve and can save the Jaguars a roster spot. He's also done some snapping in camp so he could fill in there in a pinch as well. Doug Marrone said he's seen a significant improvement in the starting group's strength and technique since the end of last season.
DEFENSIVE LINE (8): Josh Allen, Dawuane Smoot, Taven Bryan, Davon Hamilton, Abry Jones, K'Lavon Chaisson, Timmy Jernigan, Doug Costin
What a massive change in this group with Al Woods and Lerentee McCray opting out and Rodney Gunter retiring because of a heart issue. Chaisson will work at strongside linebacker, too, and the Jaguars need him to really step up against the run to set the edge with the loss of Gunter. Hamilton has had a good camp and Jernigan was a solid addition but veterans Bryan and Jones have to play well inside. Allen looks great and appears poised for a big second year.
LINEBACKER (6): Myles Jack, Joe Schobert, Cassius Marsh, Shaquille Quarterman, Leon Jacobs, Joe Giles-Harris
Schobert taking over in the middle and Jack moving to the weakside, where he can be more reactive, should make a big difference in this unit. Marsh stays after practice every day to get in extra work. Jacobs has 10 starts the last two seasons and Quarterman will be a big special-teams contributor.
CORNERBACK (6): C.J. Henderson, Tre Herndon, D.J. Hayden, Josiah Scott, Chris Claybrooks, Luq Barcoo
Brarcoo is an undrafted free agent who has taken advantage of his reps in camp and will get the spot that almost assuredly would have gone to Rashaan Melvin had he not opted out because of the coronavirus. Henderson, the ninth overall pick, has had some very good moments in camp but also let his frustration boil over at times. Claybrooks is a burner who will get first crack at being the kick returner.
SAFETY (4): Ronnie Harrison, Jarrod Wilson, Daniel Thomas, Andrew Wingard
Wingard has gotten a lot of reps and worked with the first unit when Harrison was away from camp for the birth of his child. Thomas had been having an impressive camp until a hamstring strain but should be fine by the regular season.
SPECIALIST (3): Logan Cooke, Josh Lambo, Matt Orzech
Same group as last season.