Jaguars Mailbag: Biggest Questions Ahead of Training Camp
Throughout the offseason, we will be taking questions on the biggest questions facing the Jacksonville Jaguars until Week 1.
You can submit your questions every week by tweeting them to the Jaguar Report Twitter handle or by submitting them here.
In this week's mailbag, we preview training camp, talk roster bubble players who could surprise, and more.
Q: Who is the one bubble player that you believe could make the roster?
A: I will go with Caleb Johnson. Yes, the Jaguars have a full linebacker room already with Foyesde Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, Chad Muma, and Shaquille Quarterman while also spending a fourth-round pick on Ventrell Miller. Johnson is a special teams ace thanks to his play speed, though, and I think this will help him carve out a role for a coverage unit that needs to continue making plays and producing talent.
Q: Do you guys think Travon Walker will reach a 7-10 sack season this year?
A: I am going to wait until I see how Walker looks in training camp, but I could see seven sacks. With that said, it is hard to get that many sacks. Josh Allen was one of the NFL's most efficient pass-rushers last year in terms of pressures and even he totalled just that many, for example.
Q: Hey John, any similarities between Haason Reddick's and K'Lavon Chaisson's career arc for comparisons sake? I know both have similar lighter body types.
A: This is an interesting question because Jaguars defensive line coach Brentson Buckner made a similar comparison this offseason in terms of how their careers started. Personally, I think Reddick is more explosive and bendier than Chaisson so I am not sure the ceiling is similar. A big issue for Reddick in Arizona was the fact that he was deployed as an off-ball linebacker at the start of his career. Chaisson has always been an edge player, though, and has had a lot more chances at the start of his career than Reddick did.
Q: Why do the Jaguars hate sacks?
A: Because Andre Branch's windmill and Malik Jackson's combing sack celebrations have been retired.
Q: Why don’t we have throwback jerseys yet?
A: Patience is a virtue. I think it will happen eventually. Not this year, but eventually.
Q: What do you envision the starting OL to be once Cam returns? Runner Big slides to LG?
A: I think it will be Walker Little, but I would not put my full confidence in that answer. Tyler Shatley is extremely experienced and Ben Bartch opened last season as the starter for a reason. With that said, I do think Little has the most upside and would let the Jaguars play their five best lineman; I am not sure any other combination lets them do that.
Q: If the Jaguars were to go star hunting around the deadline like the Rams did in 2021 with Von Miller, what (disgruntled) player could they potentially target?
A: How is this for one: Zack Martin. The Dallas Cowboys left guard is naturally upset with his contract situation since his annual average value is a good bit lower than the other top guards in the NFL. If there is a disgruntled blue-chip player who could turn a question mark into a strength, Martin could be near the top of the list. It would be hard to find a better guard duo than Martin and Brandon Scherff.
Q: Jaguars have noticeably less depth and certainty at TE. Especially regarding blocking after Manhertz left. Do you think they’re comfortable with what they have, do you think they are hoping for Parish as a FB (even though new to the position) to take some of these snaps or do you think they might even do something at the position? THX
A: I do think the Jaguars are comfortable enough with what they have. I believe Luke Farrell is primed to step into Chris Manhertz's role and play the most snaps of his career this season. The Jaguars were high on him last season and it seems like they expect this season to be his breakout season in terms of accepting a bigger role. Farrell hasn't played much in his first two seasons so it naturally may be tough for some to envision a big role for him, but the positivity around him is genuine.
As for the rest of the depth, the Jaguars used a second-round pick on Brenton Strange and it is only natural for him to have some kind of role this season. Finally, Gerrit Prince is another young tight end the Jaguars' staff is high on thanks to his physical traits and upside. I expect the Jaguars to be comfortable with all three of these players.
As for Parish, he did work with the tight ends at times during the offseason but I think most of his attention will be utilized at fullback because he has a giant transition to make and a lot of ground to make up.
Q: Jags were healthy last year (lowest in man games lost), which masked depth issues. Is the team looking to add depth through free agency? Interior line, edge, secondary...
A: I think the Jaguars' entire offseason was about building their depth, honestly. They may not have swung big early in the draft or in free-agency to address any of the concerns you noted, but the Jaguars' goal this offseason was to retain as many of their key backups as possible. Add in a 13-player draft class that will likely only have one rookie open the season as a starter and the Jaguars certainly made sure to address the overall depth of the roster this offseason.
Q: Which CB duo do you think will make a name for themselves during camp, Brown & Junior? or Braswell and Hallett? In other words, do our 2022 CBs get higher on the roster, or will our 2023 CBs be the future?
A: I love this question. I think if the talent level for each duo was the same, one would realistically have to go with the first group just off experience alone. Montaric Brown had his moments during training camp and preseason last year, while Gregory Junior seems like a player the Jaguars are legit excited to see over the course of training camp.
Overall, though, I am still drawn to Christian Braswell and Erick Hallett based off their college tape and measurables. Just off their talent alone, each looks like a player who was likely under-drafted by a round or so. They could be sneaky developmental picks for the next several seasons, and I think camp could see each flash a good bit.
