Let’s explore the two big questions facing the Jaguars’ wide receiver unit entering training camp.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ rookies will report for training camp on July 19th, the veterans on July 22nd, and the first practice will take place on July 23rd.
So with training camp almost here, we will be taking a position-by-position look at the Jaguars‘ roster, specifically examining the one big question–or in this case, the two big questions–that faces each unit.
Up next are the wide receivers. If you missed any of our other previews, you can find them below.
How does the back end of the Jaguars‘ wide receiver depth chart shake out?
At the top of the depth chart at the receiver position, we know there will be Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, Dyami Brown, and Parker Washington. In terms of playing time, there’s not much mystery there either, with Thomas, Hunter, and Brown dominating the snaps.
But beyond those four wideouts on the depth chart, how things shake out from there remains to be seen.
The first question will be, how many receivers will be on the 53-man roster? Typically, teams keep six, and I tend to think that is what the Jaguars do with Hunter playing both ways, but some do go light and keep five.
So when it comes to roster spots available, there are one to two spots up for grabs.
Competing for that spot(s) are a number of inexperienced players, including several undrafted rookie additions. This could give Trenton Irwin, who has six years of NFL experience and has played over 1,000 offensive snaps, an advantage.
Other wideouts we heard mentioned during offseason programs included Josh Cephus, Cam Camper, and Eli Pancol.
With the fifth and sixth wideouts likely not seeing many snaps on offense, the ability to contribute on special teams will be a key differentiator for these players when it comes to separating themselves from the competition. Also, in Liam Coen’s offense, the ability to move around the formation and attack different levels of the field could be another deciding factor as well.
What does Travis Hunter’s playing time at wide receiver look like?
Hunter spent the majority of his on-field time during offseason programs at wide receiver. That was the plan from the start, and as GM James Gladstone said, the team views cornerback as Hunter’s more natural position.
As part of Hunter’s onboarding, he spent his practices during OTAs and minicamp either on offense or defense, depending on what the day called for. Now, in training camp, Hunter will be playing both sides of the ball on the same day, which will be a requirement in season.
But how Coen decides to divvy up that practice time remains to be seen. Is it 50/50? Does it ebb and flow as training camp unfolds? It’ll be interesting to see what approach the Jaguars take.
“Travis has been great,” Trevor Lawrence said recently. “Just his work ethic, how he’s come in. He’s been one of the hardest-working guys we have. I think it’s commitment to learning the playbook and trying to learn the two systems. It’s a lot on a rookie. It’s challenging to learn everything and he’s done a nice job and we still have work to do and we’re gonna get a lot done in training camp and get us ready to play come September. But I’m really excited for him and how he can help our team.”