5 Things to Expect From Jaguars Mini Camp

Jaguars mandatory minicamp begins on Tuesday. Here's what to watch for.

By Jordan de Lugo

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1. A ton of Blake Bortles talk

This is and will be the biggest offseason storyline for the Jaguars. The team made a bevy of big time offseason moves, but it all comes down to the QB. Bortles has put in the work this offseason, not only with the team and with his WRs, but also with 3DQB in California. According to Tom Coughlin Bortles has "pretty much" corrected his mechanics issues and should be ready to play at a high level in minicamp. Will his mechanics stay right or will they deteriorate like they have in seasons past? Where Blake Bortles goes so to do the Jaguars. If he has an impressive mini camp it will be another positive step in the right direction for Bortles and for the Jaguars as a whole, but it'll be far from confirmation that Bortles is on track for a bounce back season - He'll still have a LONG way to go. 

2. The arrival of Branden Albert

Earlier this offseason the Jaguars acquired Branden Albert in a trade with the Dolphins. Albert seemed eager and excited to join the Jaguars in his introductory press conference, but then proceeded to not speak with the team for over two months. He's held out out the offseason program to this point, but now according to Doug Marrone, Albert says he'll be at mandatory mini camp. Of course this is the first part of the offseason program that is mandatory and if Albert didn't show up he would start racking up fines - a fact that he isn't lost of the veteran. Will Albert be in football shape? Will he be ready to take on the role of the Jaguars starting left tackle? We'll find out a lot about what Branden Albert's been doing the past couple of months to stay in shape. 

3. A more complete secondary

The Jaguars were without their starting safeties for all of their OTAs over the past month or so, but that should change for mini camp. Barry Church and Tashaun Gipson are both expected to return to health soon for the Jaguars and if they don't their injuries will become even bigger storylines. But expect to see all of the Jaguars starting secondary at some point or another. Jalen Ramsey and AJ Bouye are good to go, their just waiting for their help from the middle of the field - hopefully that's not a storyline that continues into the regular season. 

4. A more defined offensive line - hopefully

The offensive line to this point is a major question mark. Who will be playing where and who will be starting? Assuming Branden Albert is in good shape it would appear the left tackle job is his to lose. At left guard it appears to be anyone's game. Rookie Cam Robinson could get kicked inside to play left guard if he doesn't beat out Branden Albert at LT. AJ Cann could start at left guard if Brandon Linder's recent switch back to right guard from center becomes a permanent one. Again, if Linder sticks at right guard the Jaguars will deploy a new starting center - most likely either Tyler Shatley or Luke Bowanko. At right tackle Jermey Parnell is a shoe in, but should he be? Perhaps it would make more sense to move Cam Robinson from left to right tackle instead of putting him inside at guard. The point is there are a lot more questions than answers with the Jaguars offensive line at this point, but it appears they have the most talented group of lineman that this roster has employed since the Jack Del Rio era. Hopefully the Jags will begin to start offering more answers than questions on the offensive line. 

5. Expect not to see much

The Jaguars have been a much more private team since Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone joined forces with Dave Caldwell. In seasons past nearly every step of the off season would offer some sort of access to fans. That is no longer the case. Fans won't be invited to mini camp this week and reporters won't be allowed to report on most of what they see. There will be coverage, but it won't be to the level that Jaguars fans have come to expect in recent years. In terms of video highlights you'll see only what the Jaguars wish for you to see. We'll do our best to keep everyone updated!

Let us know what you're most excited to see in the comment section below!

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