Budding star Brian Thomas Jr. had an electrifying rookie campaign and is poised to be even better in Year 2. However, the Jacksonville Jaguars knew that they needed to improve Trevor Lawrence's arsenal of weapons if they wanted him to succeed in 2025. Thus, they signed Dyami Brown and later drafted Travis Hunter. After their arrival, the wide receiver corps looks in much better shape, but as promising as the top of the depth chart appears to be ahead of the regular season, how does the bottom look?
Three roster spots are virtually earmarked for Thomas, Brown, and Hunter. Parker Washington is back and should be a lock to get the fourth. He thrived in the slot when Christian Kirk got hurt last year and could even be the primary returner on special teams. Following the draft, the Jags inked Trenton Irwin, a veteran who came through in his stint with the Cincinnati Bengals when Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins missed time.
Irwin is the kind of depth piece that can immediately step in if injuries strike. That should give him a favorable chance of earning the fifth spot. And unless the Jaguars keep seven wide receivers like they did in 2023, which is unlikely, that leaves one job up for grabs. Whoever can contribute on special teams will seize it.
Earlier this year, the Jaguars let Tim Jones walk in free agency. An undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State in 2021, the former Golden Eagle spent his rookie season in the practice squad but made the roster each of the past three years. While he barely got any targets, he earned his chops on special teams. It will be up to the team's brass to find his replacement in the training camp.
Joshua Cephus and Austin Trammell will battle a handful of UDFAs for the Jaguars' WR6 job
Following the 2024 draft, the Jaguars signed Joshua Cephus as an undrafted free agent. Not long after, they also locked up Austin Trammell, who had spent the prior two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. Neither made the initial 53-man roster, and both landed in the practice squad. Although they saw a bit of play time, neither made an impact.
Cephus and Trammell are entering their second offseason with the Jags and should have a favorable chance of making the team. That said, they're not the only receivers vying for a roster spot. They'll need to fend off Eli Pancol, J.J. Jones, Dorian Singer, and Chandler Brayboy. Pancol had a promising offseason but will need to stand out in training camp if he doesn't want his fellow receivers to narrow down the gap.
It's also worth noting that Louis Rees-Zammit is still around, and like Cephus and Trammell, he's been around since last year, and that might give him a slight edge.
You could make the case that it's hard to get hyped up about the sixth wide receiver spot. However, it will be pretty important because the Jaguars will give it to whoever can be thrust into action and contribute on special teams. That's what makes the competition worth keeping an eye on up until cutdown day.
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