The Jacskonville Jaguars are putting a strong emphasis on competition. Just recently, Mark Long of the Associated Press said that bookend offensive tackles Walker Little and Anton Harrison may need to earn their starting jobs. This is understandable when you take into account that the team's brass is looking to increase the roster's ceiling. That said, they probably are far from the only veterans under pressure to deliver.
Aside from Little and Harrison, other veterans will need to compete for their jobs. The issue is that the Jags might've already brought in their potential replacements, so if they falter, these players could end up on the trading block.
With that in mind, here are five players the Jaguars could trade before the start of the regular season.
Travis Etienne, Jaguars running back
After missing his rookie campaign with a Lisfranc injury, Travis Etienne wasted no time proving why he was a first-round draft pick, registering a combined 2,395 yards with 17 touchdowns in 2022 and 2023. That said, he's coming off an injury-marred season in which fellow running back Tank Bigsby outplayed him. Couple that with the fact that the Jags brougth in Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen, and the former Clemson Tiger suddenly looks expendable.
Sure, Etienne could still help Jacksonville, especially if he plays like he did in 2022. That said, he's entering a contract year, and the front office may want to flip him for a draft pick instead of letting him walk next year and get nothing in return.
Devin Lloyd, Jaguars linebacker
Linebacker wasn't a pressing need for the Jaguars in the draft, but that didn't stop them from taking Jack Kiser in Round 5. While the former Notre Dame Irish will need to work his way up the depth chart, he certainly has what it takes to earn a reserve role or even significant playing time as a rookie.
Foyesade Oluokun and Ventrell Miller were the team's best linebackers last year, and they'll probably be the Week 1 starters. If Kiser does earn the primary backup role, he will make Devin Lloyd expendable.
A first-round pick in 2022, Lloyd has shown progress the past two years, but not nearly enough to warrant a starting job. He's certainly good at stopping the run but struggles in coverage, which is a bit puzzling since that was one of his many strengths coming out of Utah.
Either way, the Jaguars may want to move on from Lloyd if Kiser shows enough promise in training camp.
Ezra Cleveland, Jaguars left guard
The Jaguars traded for Ezra Cleveland in 2023 because they desperately needed help at left guard. Unfortunately, injuries prevented him from hitting his stride. Nevertheless, former general manager Trent Baalke gave him a three-year deal worth $24 million last offseason. The decision raised eyebrows because the former Boise State Bronco hadn't done enough to earn that kind of deal.
Then, the 2024 season came, and Cleveland was underwhelming. He's now entering the second year of his deal, but will need to fend off rookie Wyatt Milum.
Right off the bat, Milum is showing moxie, vowing to protect Trevor Lawrence and keep his jersey clean. That kind of mindset could allow him to beat Cleveland for the starting job.
Darnell Savage, Jaguars safety
Darnell Savage mostly lined up at safety during his stint with the Green Bay Packers, but the Jaguars brought him in 2024 to play nickel despite the fact that Antonio Johnson showed promise the year prior. However, the coaching staff scrapped the plan when Johnson moved to safety and struggled.
Savage was solid once he switched back to safety, but Jacksonville made enough additions in the offseason to make you think that they can move on from him. Aside from signing Eric Murray in free agency, they picked Caleb Ransaw and Rayuan Layne in the draft.
With the two rookies and Johnson in the fold, Savage will need to prove he deserves to start next to Murray. If he doesn't, the team's brass could place him on the trade block. If he delivers, Johnson or fellow safety Andrew Wingard could be the ones getting the nod instead.
Luke Fortner, Jaguars center
After a two-year trial, Jacksonville saw enough of Luke Fortner at center and brought in Mitch Morse in 2024 to replace him in the starting lineup. Morse fared well but called it quits earlier this year. To replace him, the front office signed Robert Hainsey in free agency, showing they're not sold on Fortner.
Sure, head coach Liam Coen said that the team will lean on the former Kentucky Wildcat to teach his system, but that will only help him so much. With Hainsey slated to start, Fortner will probably need to fend off rookie Jonah Monheim, who's barely scratched the surface and may have a realistic shot at earning the backup role at center.
If Fortner is the odd man out, the Jaguars could trade him and free up a bit over $3 million in space. This is a better alternative than keeping him around and letting him walk in 2026, when he's slated to become a free agent.
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