Evaluating Jaguars’ Position Groups at Open Week

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a third of the way through their regular-season slate. Boasting a 4-2 record through the first six weeks of the season — including two contests overseas — the Jaguars’ start has been a reason for optimism. 

Jacksonville went an impressive 4-1 to kick off the campaign, but dropped its last matchup against the division rival Houston Texans 34-31 ahead of the team’s first open week. 

Here is a position-by-position analysis of how the team has performed through the first six weeks. 

Quarterback

Trevor Lawrence hasn’t missed a beat coming off his stellar 2025 campaign. He’s accumulated 1,480 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions, managing the offense well and executing when called upon, with the exception of a few red-zone slip-ups. 

“I’ve been very pleased with Trevor Lawrence,” coach Liam Coen said Monday after the loss to the Texans. “I was pleased with the offense’s response yesterday in a lot of ways … I never really felt like we were just static or couldn’t move it.”

Neither backup, Nick Mullens nor Quinn Ewers, has seen action. 

Wide Receivers

The wide receivers have had their quiet moments, and a struggling Brian Thomas Jr. has been at the forefront of some lackluster showings by the unit. 

Thomas was benched in the second half against the Texans, missing both of his targets coming off a zero-reception outing against the Philadelphia Eagles. His future with Jacksonville seems uncertain following his continued limited output. 

But Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers have been picking up the slack. Washington has a team-leading 416 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 26 receptions, while Meyers has 20 receptions for 285 yards and two touchdowns. 

Rookie Josh Cameron has also been able to move the chains despite his lack of NFL experience. 

Running Backs

The running back unit has been solid despite early season question marks. Returner Bhayshul Tuten has led the effort, posting 94 carries for 388 yards and two touchdowns while also being a threat in the air, logging 13 receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns.

However, Chris Rodriguez Jr. broke out against the Texans and brought some of the committee-style backfield that was expected from the start. In game two in London, he had 11 carries for 55 yards, his season high in both categories by far. He has 168 yards on 39 attempts. 

LeQuint Allen Jr. has seen minimal action as the team’s third option and has struggled in his time on the field. 

Tight Ends

Despite the young room, the tight ends have found success. Returner Brenton Strange has emerged again as one of Lawrence’s primary targets after a standout 2025 campaign. He’s posted 279 yards and a touchdown on 26 receptions.

Behind him, rookie Nate Boerkircher has shown up. He’s been crucial in the blocking game and logged six receptions for 52 yards. His one-handed catch in the end zone against the Texans is a season highlight.

Offensive line

Jacksonville’s offensive line has seen its fair share of challenges. The unit was banged up through much of training camp, and now with tackle Anton Harrison out injured, the line has faltered and faces some serious question marks. 

It struggled with penalties, and Lawrence has found himself under duress more than anticipated. The interior has been the bulk of the issue, with rookie guard Emmanuel Pregnon and center Robert Hainsey faltering. 

The unit had its best showing against the Texans, though, allowing three pressures on 44 pass-blocking snaps. Nonetheless, Pro Football Focus ranked the Jaguars’ unit 29th in the league on Wednesday.

Defensive line

The Jaguars’ defensive line has shined against the run until last week’s dance with Houston. 

The line’s failure to impact the quarterback came through, with the team recording zero sacks. However, Coen put much of that on the unforgiving turf at Wembley Stadium. It also allowed the most yards on the ground this season  (114). 

Nonetheless, Jacksonville’s run defense ranks first in the NFL, allowing 72.2 yards per game on average. 

The team has posted 11 sacks, ranking just 22nd in the NFL. There is room for improvement, especially with an EDGE duo like Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker in the team’s arsenal. 

Linebackers

Led by Ventrell Miller and Foyesade Oluokun, the linebacker unit has excelled. Oluokun has a team-high 42 tackles (his 26 solo are also a team high) and has two interceptions and a forced fumble. 

Miller (University of Florida) trails him with 39 tackles (19 solo), adding three passes defended, a sack and a forced fumble. The team hasn’t missed a beat without Devin Lloyd, who the Jaguars let walk in the offseason, and the duo has been much of the reason for that. 

Depth pieces like Branson Combs and Dennis Gardeck have stepped up when needed also, combining for 31 total tackles. 

Secondary

The team’s secondary, particularly the cornerback position, has not been one of the shining units. 

The Jaguars have struggled to limit explosive plays in the passing game, particularly against the Bengals and Texans, who put up 414 and 312 yards against them, respectively. Travis Hunter has stood out at cornerback, logging an interception in two of the team’s last three games, but with him taking snaps as a wide receiver as well, the team needs more help downfield. 

The unit has also dealt with some injuries over the past few weeks, with Eric Murray (concussion), Montaric Brown (hamstring), Jourdan Lewis (hamstring), Jaylon Jones (hamstring), Jarrian Jones (elbow) and Christian Braswell (knee) all showing up on the team’s injury report intermittently since Week 4. Other than offensive linemen, the Jaguars are more likely to be in search of corners than any other position. 

Special Teams

Headlined by kicker Cam Little, Jacksonville’s special teams unit has shone. Even with long snapper Ross Matiscik out with a shoulder injury since Week 5, the team has managed to put together a strong — and at times game-saving — effort on special teams. 

Little has made 10 of his 12 field goal attempts, his longest from 60 yards out, and has made 16 of 17 extra-point attempts. His one miss came with defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton at long snapper. 

Punter Logan Cooke has also been on point, and his capabilities as a holder were key to preventing a special teams collapse against the Eagles. 

“Logan’s one of the best athletes on our team in terms of hand-eye coordination,” Coen said after the matchup with Philadelphia. “He was huge today. He was massive.”

The Jaguars take on the Colts next on Sunday at home at 1 p.m.

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