Poll: Will Taven Bryan make the Jaguars’ final roster?

With all of the defensive additions made this offseason, one player has been almost entirely ignored: fourth-year defensive tackle Taven Bryan. The Jaguars faced some scrutiny when they decided to draft him with the 29th pick back in 2018, as his production in college at Florida was limited and some scouts questioned his feel for the game.

Now, as Bryan enters the final season of his rookie deal, those concerns appear to have been warranted. Bryan has only started 17 games in three years, never totaling more than two sacks in a season, and his career-high in tackles (33) came in 2019. The Jaguars declined his fifth-year option this offseason, and though Jacksonville coach Urban Meyer said the team wants Bryan around, it’s unclear what role (if any) he will play in the future.

With veterans set to report to training camp next week, Bryan’s spot on the roster has been called into question. The Jaguars bulked up the interior of their defensive line this offseason by signing Roy Robertson-Harris, trading for Malcom Brown, and drafting Jay Tufele, and now there may not be a spot for him on the final 53.

Is it possible that Bryan could be released before the season starts? Given Jacksonville’s relative lack of depth along the defensive line, it seems unlikely on its face. Bryan hasn’t been particularly productive, but with a new scheme being installed by incoming defensive coordinator Joe Cullen, it would be somewhat surprising if the team didn’t give him the final season of his rookie season.

The multiple defense and added 3-4 looks may not help Bryan, but the scheme will certainly be more similar to the one he ran in college at Florida. Considering the Jags once invested a first-round pick in Bryan, it wouldn’t make a lot of sense to ditch him now, especially considering he’s an inexpensive option and the team can just walk away from him after the season, if it wants to.

Though it’s tenuous, Bryan’s spot on the roster seems safe, at least for now. But we want to hear from you. Will the fourth-year player make Jacksonville’s final roster? Let us know in the poll below.