The Jacksonville Jaguars will trim the team's roster down from 90 to 53 players later today. Who might they keep? Here's our prediction.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have made it through training camp and the preseason.
Now it's time to figure out who will ultimately be on the team for the 2025-26 season, a campaign that'll feature a new regime led by head coach Liam Coen, general manager James Gladstone and EVP of football ops Tony Boselli.
The Jaguars added many players to the team's roster via the NFL Draft and free agency. They've churned the roster over more since then, opting to add veterans at key positions while maintaining the overall youth of the team's top-end players.
That gave the Jaguars something they haven't had in quite some time: depth.
Still, the team's depth this year means many players who fans might have grown to know over the years will no longer be there. Now in are the players that Gladstone and Coen have hand-selected to fit their environment. Soon, they'll have to trim the roster down to 53 players, a first for both.
After the team's final preseason game, a 14-6 loss to the Dolphins, Coen spoke on how difficult the impending roster moves will likely be.
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"So many of these guys, like I told them last night, have been a part of creating our edge and who we are as a team. So those decisions aren't easy at all, especially as a young coach doing it for the first time really. Those conversations aren't easy. The decisions aren't easy," said Coen.
"But I believe some guys probably helped themselves out tonight in some ways, whether it's for our team or somebody else's team and ultimately you want it help guys continue to further their dreams as well as make our roster as competitive as it can be."
By being nothing more than who they are, they'll likely elevate the team, at least according to Gladstone.
With that being said, here's our 53-man roster projection ahead of preseason Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers:'
When is the 2025 NFL roster cuts deadline?
- Date: Aug. 26
- Time: 4 p.m.
Jacksonville Jaguars 53-man roster predictions
Quarterbacks (2)
Starter(s):Trevor Lawrence
Reserves: Nick Mullens
Observations: This will remain the same until someone plays themselves off the roster. That'll be hard to do for the trio behind Lawrence.
Change from previous projection: None.
Running backs (4)
Starter(s):Travis Etienne OR Tank Bigsby
Reserves: Bhayshul Tuten, LeQuint Allen Jr.
Observations: The "OR" remains for now on the team's third unofficial depth chart of the year. But, there's no question that Etienne is the more likely player to receive snaps. Etienne has pass-blocking prowess and has proven himself as a pass catcher.
We will see how long Bigsby remains the top backup, too.
Change from previous projection: None.
Wide receivers (6)
Starter(s):Travis Hunter, Brian Thomas Jr., Dyami Brown
Reserves: Parker Washington, Austin Trammell, Chandler Brayboy
Observations: Fan favorite Joshua Cephus will spend the rest of his time in Jacksonville on the team's reserve/injured list after making it through waivers unclaimed. Still, the team may opt to release him from the list when deemed healthy. Rookie Chandler Brayboy out of Elon makes the team here, but this position group feels like it's incomplete beyond the top four and it wouldn't be surprising to see them add after final cuts.
It should be noted, too, that Gladstone singled out Trammell during his in-game interview with the team's booth.
“He's a great guy to have in the room. Veteran presence, certainly goes about his business the right way and when he gets on the grass, he's not afraid to make plays," Gladstone said.
Brayboy replaces Eli Pancol, who has been hurt for the last couple of weeks.
Change from previous projection: Pancol cut, Brayboy added.
Tight ends (3)
Starter(s): Brenton Strange
Reserves: Hunter Long, Johnny Mundt
Observations: This group remains solid.
Change from previous projection: None.
Offensive linemen (9)
Starter(s): Walker Little, Ezra Cleveland, Robert Hainsey, Patrick Mekari, Anton Harrison
Reserves: Chuma Edoga, Wyatt Milum, Jonah Monheim, Cole Van Lanen
Observations: The Jaguars have dealt with injuries on the offensive line, but they likely have received good news on the injury to Cole Van Lanen, who is not expected to be placed on injured reserve to start the season. While his prospects could change, this aligns with Jacksonville's willingness to trade tackle Fred Johnson to the Eagles.
Change from previous projection: Fred Johnson traded to the Eagles.
Defensive ends (4)
Starter(s): Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker
Reserves: Emmanuel Ogbah, Dawuane Smoot
Observations: The more time that goes by, the more intriguing rookie B.J. Green II looks. The Jaguars will probably like Smoot's versatility and Ogbah's veteran presence makes him feel like a likely keep. Still, it wouldn't be surprising to see Green inserted here when it's all said and done.
Change from previous projection: None.
Defensive tackle (6)
Starter(s): DaVon Hamilton, Arik Armstead
Reserves:Maason Smith, Austin Johnson, Tyler Lacy, Khalen Saunders
Observations: Both Armstead and Smith have returned to action. The team traded for Saunders, and he's expected to make the initial 53-man roster. That leaves Jordan Jefferson off the roster for now. This is another group that remains in flux. It wouldn't be surprising to see one fewer interior lineman and an additional defensive end.
Change from previous projection: Saunders added, Jefferson cut.
Linebackers (6)
Starter(s): Foye Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, Ventrell Miller
Reserves: Yasir Abdullah, Dennis Gardeck, Jack Kiser
IR: Jalen McLeod
Observations: McLeod remains an IR candidate. Does the team need six linebackers?
Change from previous projection: None.
Cornerbacks (6)
Starter(s): Travis Hunter, Tyson Campbell, Jourdan Lewis
Reserves: Montaric Brown, Jarrian Jones, Christian Braswell
Observations: Jacksonville has dealt with some attrition at this position. It doesn't feel like a completed group. Perhaps the team looks outside the organization after the initial cuts. Once Brown comes back, the group will have more clarity.
Change from previous projection: Prince released, Brown moved from IR to active roster.
Safeties (5)
Starter(s):Eric Murray, Andrew Wingard
Reserves:Darnell Savage, Antonio Johnson, Rayuan Lane III
IR: Caleb Ransaw
Observations: We will see if Ransaw returns this year, but his undisclosed injury paves the way for Johnson to find himself back on the roster. Johnson has experience and is a good special-teams player. Lane has stood out as a special teamer already, which makes Daniel Thomas expendable.
Change from previous projection: None.
Specialists (3)
Starter(s): Cam Little, Logan Cooke, Ross Matiscik
Reserves: N/A
Observations: Best unit on the team.
Change from previous projection: None.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars 53-man roster prediction ahead of final cuts
Category: Football