Jacksonville Jaguars roster projections 2024: Resetting 53-man roster after NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft is behind us and the Jacksonville Jaguars came away with nine selections in their draft class. Still, it's already that time to start looking ahead to how the Jaguars' personnel could look come the start of the season.

So here's a way-too-early 53-man roster projection and depth chart prediction.

Meet more newcomers: Jacksonville Jaguars announce 2024 undrafted free agent class

Quarterbacks (2)

Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones

The Jaguars traded a sixth-round pick to the New England Patriots for Jones' services. The team wouldn't do that unless they felt strongly he could come in and immediately be the team's primary backup QB. That leaves C.J. Beathard on the chopping block as it feels unlikely, especially with the emergency QB rules changing a bit, the team keeps three quarterbacks.

Wide receivers (6)

Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, Brian Thomas Jr. (R), Devin Duvernay, Tim Jones, Joshua Cephus (R)

The Jaguars kept seven receivers last year, including both rookies Elijah Cooks and Parker Washington on the roster. This year the team may not have that flexibility with more resources needed for the running back and offensive/defensive line positions.

The top four players are locks and the final two positions will likely need to be core special teams players or players with special talents. Undrafted rookie WR Joshua Cephus fits the bill of a player to keep on the roster for both special teams and potential playing time down the line.

Running backs (4)

Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, D'Ernest Johnson, Keilan Robinson (R)

When Jacksonville drafted Robinson in the fifth round, many raised their eyebrows. Robinson's primary responsibility will be as a second kick returner to account for the new kickoff rules the NFL is deploying. Chances are, the Jaguars want Robinson to make the roster and it's his job to lose. That leaves Parker Washington off the roster, adding an extra running back in Robinson instead.

Tight ends (3)

Evan Engram, Brenton Strange, Luke Farrell

Last year, the Jaguars retained just three tight ends at final cuts and this year feels like a similar opportunity. The Jaguars signed Josiah Deguara in free agency, but it's a numbers game. Jacksonville can use both Engram and Strange as pass-catching options at tight end with Farrell continuing his blocking prowess.

Offensive linemen (10)

Centers: Mitch Morse, Luke Fortner, Tyler Shatley

Guards: Ezra Cleveland, Brandon Scherff, Cooper Hodges

Tackles: Cam Robinson, Anton Harrison, Walker Little, Javon Foster (R)

This quickly became one of the most difficult, but simple, positions to project. Jacksonville invested in their offensive line this offseason, bringing back Cleveland and Shatley, in addition to signing Morse before drafting Foster. The team also restructured Brandon Scherff's deal to retain him.

Even with the additions, though, it's tough to project who will be the team's 10th lineman. Foster gives the team unusual depth at tackle, leaving speculation to brew about Robinson's staying power. Ultimately, it's tough to envision them moving on, leaving Van Lanen as the likely man out, especially given Shatley's position flexibility inside.

Defensive linemen (10)

Josh Allen, Travon Walker, Trevis Gipson, Arik Armstead, Roy Robertson-Harris, Maason Smith (R), DaVon Hamilton, Jordan Jefferson (R), Tyler Lacy, Jeremiah Ledbetter

Jacksonville can stand to upgrade a bit at defensive end, particularly behind Josh Allen. Still, this feels likely with Adam Gotsis being pushed off the roster thanks in large part to the team's interior defensive line investment. Yasir Abdullah's ultimate position feels unknown, leaving him off the roster for now.

Linebacker (5)

Foye Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, Chad Muma, Caleb Johnson, Ventrell Miller

This position group feels the most incomplete without understanding exactly what roles everyone will play. The starters are set with Oluokun and Lloyd, but Muma's role within defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen's scheme remains unknown. Johnson provides depth and is one of the team's best special teamers and Miller was the team's fourth-round selection last year but didn't play after suffering a preseason Achilles injury.

If there's another position group a UDFA can make the team within, it's linebacker.

Cornerbacks (5)

Tyson Campbell, Ronald Darby, Jarrian Jones (R), Montaric 'Buster' Brown, De'Antre Prince (R)

Jacksonville invested some this offseason in the cornerback room, but none of the investments were significant. The team spent $5.5 million in guaranteed money on Darby and drafted Jones in the third round, and Prince in the fifth.

The position group is wide open as a result with Darby, Jones and Prince given the upper hand. If the team opts to keep just five corners on the team, it's likely Brown will remain in the fold as he's been the next man up. However, with a new coaching staff, all of that could be thrown out the window giving last year's picks, Christian Braswell and Erick Hallett II an opportunity.

Safeties (5)

Andre Cisco, Darnell Savage, Antonio Johnson, Andrew Wingard, Daniel Thomas

Keeping Savage with the safety position, despite what head coach Doug Pederson said at the league meetings, is a move I believe makes sense long-term. If Jones can start at nickel, that leaves Savage at full-time safety with the flexibility to play nickel at times. Though it likely pushes snaps away from Johnson a bit, there's no question Nielsen will deploy his safeties in a variety of ways, giving Johnson more opportunities in addition to Savage and Cisco.

Special teams (3)

Punter: Logan Cooke

Kicker: Cam Little

Long snapper: Ross Matisick

There's not much to make of this position group. Cooke and Matisick are proven top-tier players at their respective positions and when a team takes a kicker at any point in the draft, it's counterintuitive to leave them off the roster.

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X,  formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars 53-man roster projection: Early predictions after NFL Draft