The Jaguars have had an eventful and productive offseason with a new regime and franchise player added. The infrastructure has changed, it’s full of experienced talent and youthful energy that has attained their first primary roles. That being Liam Coen, James Gladstone, and Tony Boselli. Head Coach, General Manager, and Executive Vice President of Football Operations respectively. New Regime, new players, new expectations. Only 63.9 percent of the 24-25 roster are returning according to OverTheCap following a successful free agency period. Today, we’re gonna discuss who benefits from so much change, and who it could hurt making the 53 man roster.
Winner: Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence is a major winner due to the upgrades in the coaching staff, front office, and Ownership direction alone. They have made it clear he is the guy and made an effort to support him with players and personnel set on elevating him. Coen and Hunter are franchise changing additions.
The OLine rebuild, additions to WR, RB, and TE rooms suggest he will have a revitalized offense. And the structure will be concerned. Expect a Pro Bowl season at minimum from the Jaguars starter.
Loser: Ezra Cleveland
Ezra Cleveland is in a conundrum. He flashed as the starting LG last season but showed some inconsistency. Fresh off signing an extension in 2024, the Jaguars new regime added Patrick Mekari (projected starting RG), and 2025 3rd round selection Wyatt Milum (projected starting LG).
Cleveland has played well enough to be a starter, but now has gone as far as taking snaps at center in practice to compete for one of the three interior spots. Mekari can play all 5 spots, Milum can play anywhere but center, and the Jaguars also added Robert Hainsey at Center in FA as well. We shall see if he’s top tier depth, a trade candidate, or earns that LG or C spot in camp.
Winner: Maason Smith
The Jaguars DT room was a focal point of draft talks during the entire cycle. Mason Graham was one of the biggest locks in the top 5, and he went there, but not to Duval! The Jaguars new regime put an emphasis on Armstead moving back to tackle and rushing from inside.
And Smith flashed when actually on the field after limited action, a result of petty moves between Pederson and Baalke. With no moves on the interior line made, the Jaguars are confident in Smith’s progression, Armstead moving back inside and Hamilton’s health. Smith has the runway for a monster year 2 after flashing dominance in spurts.
Loser: Yasir Abdullah
After been given an opportunity last season to maximize his role as a depth linebacker. Abdullah struggled to get on the field and make an impact as an inside and outside linebacker. He totaled 16 tackles over 14 games, no passes defended, no sacks.
The inside linebacker group was a tough rotation to crack, but outside linebacker was wide open behind Walker and Hines-Allen respectively. This could be attributed to coaching, but Abdullah never contributed to run defense, and didn’t display speed off the edge on passing downs. I simply do not see a spot on the roster for him with the additions of Kiser, McLeod, Smoot, Ogbah, Greene, and Gardeck unfortunately.
Winner: Brenton Strange
Possibly the Jaguars biggest winner in this exercise from an opportunity standpoint is Mr. Brenton Strange. Following the departures of Evan Engram and Luke Farrell through free agency, Strange can soak up targets and blocking assignments. Strange was the second most valuable skill player last season and had his consistency on display.
Heading into the 2025 fantasy football season, if you are looking for a sleeper Tight End, this is your answer. With the vacated targets, an offensive scheme that benefits the Quarterback and helped Cade Otten have a career year in ‘24. Don’t be surprised if Strange enters the top 12 TE talks after this season. He has the athleticism, hands, blocker mentality, and tenacity to stay on the field and make impact plays
Loser: Travis Etienne Jr.
Etienne Jr. has seen a considerable tumble from his 23-24 production and tape. He’s gone from a bell cow, to being in a potential 3-headed committee. Or worse, being a backup to Tank Bigsby or rookie Bhayshul Tuten. Who both provide more downhill and physical rushing styles, yet both share a similar flaw to early ETN, ball security. Tuten is better in pass catching scenarios and dynamite plays. Bigsby is better in goal-line situations. Where does Travis fit?
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