Contract is prohibited at mandatory, and NFL coaching staffs cannot truly assess players because they've yet to wear pads. However, they're far from useless. The Jacksonville Jaguars most definitely took advantage of this portion of the offseason.
First-time head coach Liam Coen installed his system and his vision. On the other hand, several players had the chance to put their best foot forward. These five in particular took advantage of the chances they got and made a strong impression ahead of training camp.
Dyami Brown, Jaguars wide receiver
Following a surge during the Washington Commanders' 2024 playoff run, there was chatter that Dyami Brown could be a one-year wonder. However, he's done a great job of putting all doubts to rest since joining the Jags on a one-year deal.
Brown, a third-round pick by Washington in 2021, was a standout throughout rookie minicamp, Organized Team Activities, and mandatory camp. But aside from his strong outing, the former North Carolina Tar Heel has taken on a leadership role, embracing his status as the elder in the wide receiver corps.
While Travis Hunter is expected to eventually be the Jaguars' No. 2 receiver opposite Brian Thomas Jr., don't be surprised if Brown starts in Week 1.
Maason Smith, Jaguars defensive tackle
Players' readiness is always variable coming out of college. Sometimes, they need a bit of time to figure things out and hit their stride. Such was the case of Maason Smith in 2024. He was somewhat raw coming out of college because he missed plenty of time due to injuries. To nobody's surprise, the former LSU Tiger got off to a slow start to his rookie campaign. Heck, he was even a healthy scratch a handful of games.
But then, something clicked, and Smith went on to finish the 2024 season strong, posting 11 total pressures and two sacks in the last six games. Throughout the offseason, he demonstrated that it wasn't a flash in the pan, and he's now expected to take a leap in Year 2.
Walker Little, Jaguars left tackle
Early in the offseason, Walker Little appeared to be on shaky ground. The new regime beefed up the offensive line, and it looked like the former Stanford Cardinal would need to compete with newcomer Fred Johnson for the starting job at left tackle. However, that no longer seems to be the case after an impressive offseason.
Little got a rave review from offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett, who praised him for his blue-collar work ethic. Moreover, chatter about him having to fend off Johnson has decreased substantially.
Monataric Brown, Jaguars cornerback
Cornerback Montaric Brown has most definitely exceeded expectations. A seventh-round pick in 2022, he didn't get lots of snaps as a rookie, but he was thrust onto the football field the following year when Tyson Campbell missed time with injuries. The former Arkansas Razorback was again pressed into action last year when Ronald Darby was benched.
One look at his performance the past two years will show that Brown was inconsistent, and it looks like he could tumble down the depth chart after the arrival of Jourdan Lewis and Travis Hunter. However, he made such a strong impression in the offseason that there's a chance he'll carve out a meaningful role next season.
Brenton Strange, Jaguars tight end
The Jaguars raised eyebrows when they released Evan Engram in a cap-saving move. However, Brenton Strange has quickly validated the decision. Dubbed a breakout candidate for 2025, the former Penn State Nittany Lion has been refining his route-running and release in the offseason. He gave everyone a sneak peek of what he could when he replaced Engram in the lineup, registering 40 receptions for 411 yards with two touchdowns.
With Engram out of the picture, Strange is now poised to pick up where he left off last year.
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