FINAL JAGUARS 2021 53-MAN ROSTER PREDICTION

David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire

The Jaguars will cut the roster down to 53 on Tuesday, August 31st. 

BY JORDAN DE LUGO

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After waiving  OL Derwin Gray, CB Jameson Houston, and DT Kenny Randall, and placing RB Travis Etienne on the injured reserve, the Jaguars now have 80 players on their active roster. Next Tuesday, they'll cut that number down to 53.

Here's my final prediction on the 53-man roster. 

QB(3): Trevor Lawrence, CJ Beathard, Gardner Minshew

I have no insider knowledge here, but Beathard has outperformed Gardner Minshew in the preseason. I think he'll be the lead back up behind Trevor Lawrence in the regular season. I wouldn't be surprised if the Jaguars find a trade partner for Minshew in the next couple of months. 

RB(3): James Robinson, Carlos Hyde, Dare Ogunbowale

James Robinson and Carlos Hyde are locked in, and with Etienne out for the season, the Jaguars will use Dare Ogunbowale as a pass-catching back. Ogunbowale also has plenty of special teams value. Nathan Cotrell or Devine Ozigbo can be stashed on the practice squad. 

WR(6): DJ Chark, Marvin Jones, Laviska Shenault, Phillip Dorsett, Tavon Austin, Jamal Agnew

The top three guys are locks. Dorsett has the type of speed and big-play ability that Meyer won't let go of. Agnew is locked in as the starting return man. Laquon Treadwell's production has cooled with the emergence of Tavon Austin, who has been dynamite in camp and has hauled in four catches in each of the first two preseason games. He also found the end zone against the Browns. Austin's versatility on offense should be very enticing for Urban Meyer. This is where it gets tricky. Collin Johnson is young and has the upside to be an effective target on offense, but Tavon Austin could help Urban Meyer bring his style of offense to the NFL right now. And they need a speedy gadget player with Travis Etienne out for the season. I would keep Collin Johnson and try to stash Austin and Treadwell on the practice squad, but I think Meyer will opt to keep Austin. 

OL(9): Cam Robinson, Jawaan Taylor, Brandon Linder, Andrew Norwell, AJ Cann, Walker Little, Tyler Shatley, Ben Bartch, Will Richardson

The Jaguars return their starting five from 2020. Rookie Walker Little will be the primary backup at offensive tackle. Tyler Shatley will be the swingman on the interior, with the ability to fill in at all three spots. Ben Bartch will be a backup at both guard sports. Will Richardson is the only tackle left with any experience. 

TE(3): Chris Manhertz, James O'Shaughnessy, Luke Farrell

The Jags want to be able to run two tight end sets. Manhertz is the best blocking tight end on the team and one of the best in the league. O'Shaughnessy is the best receiver right now. Farrell will serve as a blocking tight end with some pass-catching upside. He proved to be an effective and reliable receiver in preseason week two, catching two passes that went for first downs on third down. 

Offense: 24 

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DL/EDGE(11): Malcom Brown, Jay Tufele, Roy Robertson-Harris, DaVon Hamilton, Dawuane Smoot, Adam Gotsis, Josh Allen, K'Lavon Chaisson, Taven Bryan, Jihad Ward, Jordan Smith

The DL is triccccky. There are a ton of guys here. Brown, Tufele, RRH, Allen, Chaisson, Smoot, Hamilton, Ward, and Smith, all feel like locks to me. That doesn't leave much room for anyone else. We see familiar faces Doug Costin, Lerentee McCray, Daniel Ekuale getting cut. Doug Costin performed too well as a rookie, but the Jaguars love Taven Bryan's upside, and he performed well in his first preseason action on Monday. I'd keep Costin over Bryan, but I'm not sure the Jags agree. 

LB(4): Myles Jack, Damien Wilson, Chapelle Russell, Shaq Quarterman

The Jaguars will usually have just two off-ball linebackers on the field at a time. Because of that, they won't need a ton of depth. Shaq Quarterman has turned it on over the past few weeks and looks like a lock. In addition, Chapelle Russell has outperformed Dakota Allen in camp and preseason. He provides more athleticism and punch at the position. 

CB(6): Shaquill Griffin, CJ Henderson, Tyson Campbell, Sidney Jones, Tre Herndon, Chris Claybrooks

The top five feels locked in, especially now that CJ Henderson is up and running. Tre Herndon is still dealing with a sprained MCL and could miss the start of the regular season, which would open the door for another roster spot. But if the Jaguars want Herndon to return in 2021 — they most certainly do — they'll have to wait until after they cut the roster down to 53 to place him on injured reserve. Claybrooks will be the backup return man and a developmental cornerback with impressive athleticism. 

S(5): Rayshawn Jenkins, Andre Cisco, Jarrod Wilson, Rudy Ford, Andrew Wingard

Rayshawn Jenkins is locked in as a starter, and rookie Andre Cisco is headed towards a starting role as well. Wilson is still too good to let walk on a cheap contract. Rudy Ford was signed to be a core special teamer, and the Jaguars have used him quite a bit in their big nickel and dime sets. Andrew Wingard has again proven to be a solid special teamer that will add value in a part of the game that Urban Meyer obsesses over. Daniel Thomas is a potential practice squad stash. I'd keep Thomas over Wingard, but he's behind the eight ball after missing time on the COVID list. 

Defense: 26

K: Josh Lambo

Now that Lambo has missed kicks in consecutive weeks, there's actually some tension here. But I'm not sure the Jaguars have any other quality options. 

P: Logan Cooke

Top five punter in football.

LS: Ross Matiscik

There's been no need for competition here. 

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