The Jacksonville Jaguars are taking a break after wrapping up mandatory minicamp. They’ll report again for training camp in late July. That will give players and coaches a chance to rest before they begin preparations for the preseason.
While some players are looking to build off of offseason activities, others will be fighting for a roster spot. These four in particular could be on the fringe in training camp.
De’Shaan Dixon could be a cut candidate during Jaguars training camp
The defensive line was an area of emphasis for the Jaguars in the offseason. Back in free agency, they signed Arik Armstead. The front office later added Maason Smith, Jordan Jefferson, and Myles Cole in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Heading into training camp, the Jags should feel great about their depth and overall talent at the line scrimmage. The trouble is that they won’t have enough room to keep everyone. While Armstead and veterans like DaVon Hamilton aren’t in danger of getting the boot, players at the bottom of the depth chart may have trouble sticking around. De’Shaan Dixon, in particular, could be a victim of the numbers game.
An undrafted free agent in 2022, Dixon made the Jags’ initial 53-man roster as a rookie but was a healthy scratch most of the year. Last offseason, the Norfolk State native switched from outside linebacker to defensive tackle but wasn’t able to make the team for the second straight season. Instead, he spent most of 2023 in the practice squad.
Now, switching positions, especially at the NFL level, is no walk in the park. It’s possible that Dixon will get better acclimated to playing defensive tackle with time. However, the coaching staff may not be willing to wait for him.
If Dixon wants to earn a roster spot again, he’ll need to make a strong impression in training camp. Otherwise, he could find himself on the outside looking in by the time the preseason rolls around.
Austin Trammell could be a cut candidate during Jaguars training camp
Wide receiver looked like a strength for the Jaguars in 2023 but injuries ultimately exposed their lack of overall talent and depth. The team’s brass got to work in the offseason and made several moves to upgrade the position.
The most meaningful one was probably letting Calvin Ridley walk in free agency and later drafting Brian Thomas Jr. to take his place. However, the Jags also made other additions that weren’t nearly as relevant but were still important.
After the draft, the Jags signed five receivers. Two of them, Wayne Ruby and David White Jr., suffered season-ending injuries, so they had two roster spots to fill. The front office gave UFL star Hakeem Butler a workout but ultimately went with Austin Trammell, who spent the last two years with the Los Angeles Rams.
Trammell, an undrafted free agent in 2021, has mostly seen work as a returner. He’s only logged six receptions for his career, so he may have trouble moving up the Jaguars’ depth chart in the upcoming months.
Thomas, Devin Duvernay, Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, and Parker Washington are locks to make the team. That’s five roster spots. Tim Jones and sophomore Elijah Cooks could be vying for the sixth. Seth Williams, who spent last season in the practice squad, and undrafted free agent Joshua Cephus will also be in the mix.
At this point, it’s hard to see Trammell doing enough to get ahead of Cooks and Jones. Maybe he could try to make the team as a returner but he’ll be competing with Duvernay, Parker rookie Keilan Robinson, and running back D’Ernest Johnson, so he faces an uphill battle ahead of the regular season.
Tyler Shatley could be a cut candidate during Jaguars training camp
The Jaguars believe injuries were the main reason the offensive line didn’t play well last year. They think that being healthier and playing together will allow the unit to gel and play better in 2024. There’s merit to that. Right guard Brandon Scherff performed well despite the fact that he dealt with an ankle injury for most of the year.
To shore up their left guard, the front office traded for Ezra Cleveland midseason. Unfortunately, injuries prevented him from hitting his stride. Nevertheless, they think he’s part of the solution upfront, which is why they gave him a three-year deal worth $24 million in the offseason. The only major change Jacksonville made was signing Mitch Morse, who’ll replace Luke Fortner at center.
You could make the case that the Jags should’ve been more aggressive in their attempt to beef up the offensive trenches but the current look seems in good shape, especially when you factor in their depth. Jacksonville drafted Javon Foster to groom him into a swing tackle and Cooper Hodges is back after missing his rookie year with a patella injury.
The Jaguars also brought back veteran Tyler Shatley, but he may not make the but. An undrafted free agent all the way back to 2014, the former Clemson Tiger is one of the team’s most tenured players. However, he struggled later when he was tasked with replacing Ben Bartch.
Shatley was ultimately benched after just one game. Injuries pressed him into action again but that was mostly because the Jags didn’t have anyone else. The coaching staff already knows what they have in the veteran guard and may want to give reps in training camp to the younger players. Right now, his odds of returning for a 12th season in Jacksonville don’t look that great.
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