The Jacksonville Jaguars are off to a promising start to the season. Head coach Liam Coen is a big reason why, as he's getting the most out of his players while helping his team find an identity. On the other hand, general manager James Gladstone also deserves credit for the Jags' early success.
After all, Gladstone put together a well-rounded roster with depth and talent at nearly every position group. That's why it's not shocking to see cornerstones such as pass rusher Josh Hines-Allen and linebacker Foyesade Oluokun make an impact.
On the other hand, there are a handful of lesser-known players who have also played a big role in Jacksonville's 3-1 start. With that in mind, here are five breakouts who have come through early in the season.
LeQuint Allen, Jaguars running back
Can you really call the No. 3 running back on the depth chart a breakout? Sure, especially when they've carved out such an important role on offense as LeQuint Allen has early in his rookie season.
Back in Syracuse, he excelled in pass protection and as a receiver out of the backfield. Both skills have seamlessly carried over into the NFL, which is why he's gotten plenty of time behind Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten.
Allen has played 19 percent of the total snaps on offense and registered three catches for 20 yards and three rushes for 20 yards. Not bad for a third-string running back.
Jourdan Lewis, Jaguars cornerback
The Jaguars desperately needed an outside corner who could hold his own opposite Tyson Campbell in the boundaries, but instead of going after Byron Murphy, D.J. Reed, or Carlton Davis, they rolled with Jourdan Lewis. This was a bit of a surprise as the former Michigan Wolverine had mostly lined up in the slot during his stint with the Dallas Cowboys. However, he's wasted no time proving just how much of a difference-maker he is.
Lewis is among the many reasons the Jags lead the NFL in takeaways with 13. Aside from giving up just 7.2 yards per reception, he's logged two interceptions and a league-best six passes defensed four games into the season. That's the kind of impact the Jags envisioned when they signed him to a three-year deal.
Anton Harrison, Jaguars right tackle
Like most rookies, Anton Harrison experienced growing pains in 2023. On the other hand, he flashed plenty of potential, which is why he was seen as a candidate to make a leap last year. However, the former Oklahoma Sooner struggled and even regressed. Some of that had to do with the inadequate coaching the offensive line had, but it's fair to assign him a bit of blame for his underwhelming performance.
Then, the new regime came and made it clear that it wanted Harrison to be more consistent. To make it happen, the Jags made him split reps with free-agent acquisition Chuma Edoga in the offseason. That might have been the wake-up call he needed, as he's played at a high level ever since.
Four games into the season, Harrison has given up just four pressures and no sacks. That's precisely the kind of performance the team's brass wanted out of the former first-round pick.
Eric Murray, Jaguars safety
Sometimes, it takes players to put it all together. And while safety Eric Murray was generally solid before signing with the Jaguars, he had never been as dominant as he's been this season. In four games, the former Minnesota Golden Gopher logged one interception and three passes defensed. Moreover, his Pro Football Focus overall grade of 79.6 ranks fifth among Jacksonville defenders.
Back in free agency, the Jags raised eyebrows when they gave Murray a three-year contract worth $19.5 million because of his lack of impact throughout his 10-year career. Those concerns turned out to be unfounded, as he's playing the best football of his career while solidifying the safety room.
Brenton Strange, Jaguars tight end
Evan Engram quickly turned into an offensive mainstay when he signed with the Jaguars in 2022. During his three-year stint, he broke several team and personal records. However, he dealt with injuries last season, and Brenton Strange proved to be a more than capable replacement.
Couple that with the fact that Engram wasn't a fit in Liam Coen's system, and nobody batted an eye when the team's brass released him in free agency. That turned out to be a pretty good gamble, as Strange is off to a strong start to 2025.
Aside from being a much better blocker than Engram, Strange has hauled in 19 receptions for 182 yards. He's done it on an offense where he's routinely the fourth or fifth option. However, Trevor Lawrence knows just how reliable the third-year tight end is and won't hesitate to look for him.