Jaguars vs. Lions: 5 Players to Watch

Which Jaguars will have the spotlight on them when they kick off against the Lions this weekend?

With one week in the books, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ preseason is off to a promising start after claiming a 28-23 victory in last week’s contest against the Dallas Cowboys. Trevor Lawrence was able to shake off an early interception on just his second attempt before getting into a groove, leading the first-team offense to the first points of the game.

The Jaguars' second and third-string teams looked just as capable. Several Jaguars caught the attention of fans as Antonio Johnson Jr, Gregory Junior and Yasir Abdullah all shined in their season debuts. Who will make their statement this week as roster cuts soon await?

Here are five Jaguars to watch against the Detroit Lions in their Week 2 Preseason battle of the big cats.

QB Nathan Rourke, No. 18

Since being drafted first overall in 2021, Lawrence has been the quarterback every Jaguar fan could have hoped for, but it was Nathan Rourke who stole the show this past weekend against Dallas.

Rourke, an undrafted free agent from Ohio University, was signed onto the Jaguars’ roster in 2023 after making his mark in the Canadian Football League from 2021-2022. Despite missing significant time to injury in 2022, Rourke still went on to win the Most Outstanding Canadian award and led the BC Lions to the playoffs.

In Jacksonville, Rourke is pushing for a spot as the team’s third quarterback or on the practice squad. It’s unlikely he will replace backup CJ Beathard, however, he made an incredible first impression on fans with what will be the play of the NFL preseason. We will have to wait until Saturday to see if Rourke provides fans with more of his Canadian magic.

OLB Yasir Abdullah, No. 56

The Jaguars’ pass rush has been a topic of much discussion this offseason, and it continues to be as the team brought in NFL veteran Jadeveon Clowney for a visit following Saturday’s contest. In limited action, the Jaguars’ first-team defensive line and pass rush did quite well as DaVon Hamilton among others pressured Dallas’ Cooper Rush on multiple occasions.

However, it was rookie pass rusher Yasir Abdullah who might have stood out the most. Abdullah, a fifth round pick out of Louisville, finished the game with two tackles and one sack, but his impact was felt beyond that, recording a team-best two pressures on 25 pass rush attempts.

While concerns regarding the team’s pass rush may remain, Abdullah could help to alleviate those concerns if he builds upon last week’s strong performance There is an opportunity for him to see considerable snaps throughout the season, especially if injuries occur. He’ll have to battle the incumbent rotational pass rusher, K’Lavon Chaisson, among others to see meaningful playtime, however.

OLB K’Lavon Chaisson, No. 45

Speaking of K’Lavon Chaisson, the sand in the hourglass is starting to run out and fast for the former LSU Tiger. Chaisson is entering his fourth season in the league and has amassed just three sacks in three seasons.

In 2022, while playing in nine games, Chaisson had one sack and five pressures on 65 pass rush snaps. With Arden Key out of the fold, the Jaguars hope to rely on Chaisson more this season as he enters preseason as the team’s primary rotational pass rusher.

In order for that plan to come to fruition, Chaisson will have to outperform his previous outings, including this past Saturday’s preseason game. With the possibility of adding an additional pass rusher and the rise of the rookie Abdullah, Chaisson has more pressure now than ever before. We will see if he can capitalize on his opportunities against the Lions tough offensive line.

CB Christian Braswell, No. 36

The Jaguars secondary remains wide open as there are numerous players who could play their way onto the roster. Last weekend, rookie Christian Braswell and Gregory Junior were two that might have done just that if they can maintain that level of play going forward.

The two young corners were involved on all three Cowboys’ turnovers, making a statement about their playmaking ability. In the fourth quarter, Braswell jumped a Will Grier thrown ball, nabbing his first NFL interception.

Braswell, a draft selection from Rutgers, might have bought himself more playing time with his impressive level of play Saturday. In college, he performed admirably, receiving Second-Team All-Big 10 honors from Pro Football Focus, a conference known for its NFL success at cornerback. If the young corners continue to produce, the Jaguars’ depth in the secondary might be in better shape than most predicted.

WR Seth Williams, No. 81

The competition at receiver for the Jaguars is as fierce as it gets as nine players realistically fight for just two roster spots. One of those nine is former Auburn Tiger Seth Wiliams. Williams was drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and has gone on to catch just one ball for 34 yards in his young NFL career.

In Jacksonville, the coaching staff might just be looking for a player of his physique. Williams stands 6-foot-2, 211 pounds and brings a brand of physicality to his game. Known for his jump-ball prowess at Auburn, Williams has yet to catch on in the league.

Throughout training camp and preseason, Williams has caught the attention of staff and fans alike, notably hauling in a tough catch in traffic last week on a ball thrown by Beathard. If he can continue to show off his toughness and talent, the young receiver could just find himself on the 53-man roster come Week 1.