Jaguars week 5 rookie report: Josh Allen and Gardner Minshew produce in loss to Panthers

How did the Jaguars rookies play against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday?

The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3) have gotten significant contributions from this year’s crop of draft picks – varying from starters to key role players. Let’s take a look at how the Jaguars stars of the future fared on Sunday.

DE Josh Allen (Round 1, 7th overall)

The seventh overall pick has continued his strong play. Allen started the first three games, amassing two sacks over that span, before assuming more of a rotational role the past two weeks. The DE/LB hybrid accounted for six tackles and a sack against Carolina. Based off production and draft pedigree, I expect to see a spike in snaps in the coming weeks for the dynamic pass rusher.

RT Jawaan Taylor (Round 2, 35th overall)

Taylor has endured the typical up and down play that is to be expected of a young offensive tackle. On Sunday, Taylor had his hands full with first-round defensive end Brian Burns, who appeared to give Taylor fits with his quickness. Though he’s demonstrated flashes of becoming a franchise tackle throughout this young season, these are the growing pains that come with the development. Taylor will have another tough task next week against a formidable Saints defensive line.

TE Josh Oliver (Round 3, 69th overall)

A weekly inactive through five games, the third-round pick will likely get his first taste of NFL action next week, with the recent news of fellow tight end James O’Shaughnessy suffering a torn ACL.

LB Quincy Williams (Round 3th, 98 overall)

The teams third-round pick out of Murray State, Williams started his fifth consecutive game at weakside linebacker. The 5-foot-11, 225-pound prospect notched three tackles against the Panthers, and continues to look more comfortable within the defense with each passing week.

RB Ryquell Armstead (Round 5, 140th overall)

After scoring his first NFL touchdown a week ago, Armstead received only two touches on offense: one carry for -1 yards and a reception for 7 yards.

While Leonard Fournette did most of the heavy lifting on offense – 30 total touches – it is apparent that the Temple product is firmly entrenched as second-in-command behind the Jaguars’ bell-cow. His role figures to expand in the coming weeks.

QB Gardner Minshew (Round 6, 178th overall)

Minshew’s performance was a bit of a mixed bag. While the ascending signal caller went 26-of-44 for 327 passing yards and two touchdowns, his two fumbles proved to be costly.

Minshew’s first fumble was caused by Panthers defensive end Mario Addison, who drove guard Andrew Nowell into his quarterback’s lap. Rookie defensive end Brian Burns (more on him in a moment) returned the fumble 56 yards for a Carolina touchdown. The second fumble proved to be the fatal blow, however.

Just as Minshew led the Jaguars on a late fourth-quarter drive, it was Burns who hit him from behind, forcing the timely turnover with 1:53 left to play.

Though Minshew’s ball security issues were just one of a multitude of gaffes that played a role in Sunday’s loss, it’s still an area of concern.

He’ll have to get that corrected in a hurry though, with the opportunistic New Orleans Saints defense coming to TIAA Bank Field on Sunday.

DT Dontavious Russell (Round 7, 235th overall)

After playing in the Jaguars first two contests, Russell has fallen victim to a numbers game along the defensive line, and has been a healthy scratch the past three weeks.

RB Devine Ozigbo (UDFA)

The intriguing running back was active for the first time this season, but failed to record any offensive statistics. He was used sparingly on special teams.

S Andrew Wingard (UDFA)

One of my favorite prospects I’ve scouted prior to the 2019 NFL Draft for his energy and reckless abandon style of play, Wingard has etched out a role on special teams – and has quickly become one of the league’s more dominant players in the game’s third phase. He was credited with two stops in Sunday’s loss, bringing his tackle total to five.

LS Matthew Orzech (UDFA) 

The 24-year-old undrafted free agent appeared in his fifth game as the Jaguars’ long snapper.