Following a disappointing end to 2024, the Jacksonville Jaguars cleaned house and hired Liam Coen and James Gladstone as the head coach and general manager, respectively. The duo wasted no time raising the roster standards and cutting ties with several underachieving players the past regime brought up. But as aggressive as the overhaul was, the roster could experience more changes before the start of the regular season.
The new regime is rightly giving several players the chance to prove that they deserve to stick around in 2025. Some will pull it off, and a few others won't. These five in particular are running out of time to avoid the dreaded bust label.
Chad Muma, Jaguars linebacker
Much has been said about 2022 first-round pick Devin Lloyd ahead of the regular season. That's taken a bit of the spotlight from fellow linebacker Chad Muma, but he could be the victim of the numbers game if he doesn't make a strong impression in training camp.
A third-round pick in 2022, Muma flashed as a rookie but struggled when he was pressed into action the following year. By 2024, he was stuck behind Lloyd, Foyesade Oluokun, and Ventrell Miller on the depth chart. The former Iowa Hawkeye played 259 defensive snaps last year. Had defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen not used a hockey-like rotation at linebacker, his playing time would've been significantly lower.
Entering training camp, Muma will need to compete with Dennis Gardeck, Jack Kiser, and Jalen McLeon for a roster spot. Given that the three of them were brougth in by the new regime, Muma could have a slight disadvantage.
Javon Foster, offensive tackle
There's no such thing as a bad idea, just bad execution, and the Jaguars had the right idea when they used a fourth-round pick in the 2024 draft to bolster the offensive line. The trouble is that they selected Javon Foster, who was underwhelming as a rookie.
Despite the fact that the Jaguars dealt with injuries on the offensive line, Foster didn't get playing time and was even inactive for several games. You aren't a healthy scratch if your team thinks you can contribute. Jacksonville certainly didn't think the former Mizzou Tiger could help on game day.
Even though Foster just joined the Jags last year, he faces an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster after the arrival of Chuma Edoga and Fred Johnson.
Myles Cole, Jaguars defensive end
Is it fair to call a seventh-round pick a bust if it doesn't pan out? Probably not, but you cannot call him a hit either, and the Jaguars thought they had found a potential diamond in the rough when they selected Myles Cole in Round 7 of the 2024 season. Looking back, it's easy to see why the former Texas Tech Red Raider caught their attention.
Cole had intriguing physical traits but was raw coming out of college. Surprisingly, he logged 123 snaps as a rookie but wasn't able to make much of an impact with his playing time. The Louisiana native is now entering Year 2 with the Jags, but unlike last season, he'll face stiff competition to make the team.
The Jags signed Dawuane Smoot and Emmanuel Ogbah after the draft. Both of them have more experience than Cole, who may ultimately land in the practice squad if he doesn't show improvement in training camp.
Christian Braswell, Jaguars cornerback
Cornerback Christian Braswell has faced several roadblocks since the Jaguars made him a sixth-round pick in 2023. As a rookie, he landed on Injured Reserve and ended up suiting up for just three games. The former Scarlet Knight then landed in the practice squad last year despite the fact that he had a strong training camp. Again, he saw action in three games but didn't do much of note.
Braswell is now part of a crowded cornerback room following the addition of Jourdan Lewis and Travis Hunter in the fold. On top of that, sophomore DeAntre Prince is still around, so Braswell will need to show he deserves a roster spot.
Antonio Johnson, Jaguars defensive back
Antonio Johnson fell to Round 5 of the 2023 draft, although he was projected to go late in the first or early in the second. Nevertheless, he gave Jacksonville plenty of bang for the buck as a rookie, logging two interceptions, three passes defensed, and a forced fumble.
Dubbed a breakout candidate in 2024, Johnson struggled and was benched at one point. He eventually returned to the starting lineup but was generally underwhelming. Now, the former Texas A&M Aggie will need to compete with Andrew Wingard, Rayuan Lane III, Darnell Savage, and Caleb Ransaw for a roster spot. He certainly has the talent to come out on top, but there's no guarantee that he will.
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