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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars open training camp July 27 at the team’s facility at EverBank Field. Here’s our 53-man roster projection: QUARTERBACKS (3): Blake Bortles, Chad Henne, Brandon Allen. The Jaguars opt to keep three on the active roster, which means losing a spot somewhere else (most likely running back). Allen is viewed as the eventual replacement for Henne. RUNNING BACKS (4): T.J. Yeldon, Chris Ivory, Denard Robinson, Corey Grant. Despite some ball-security issues, the Jaguars like Robinson as a change-of-pace option and the work he does on special teams. Jonas Gray is essentially another version of Ivory, so Grant gets the edge because of his speed and role as kick returner. WIDE RECEIVERS (5): Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Marqise Lee, Rashad Greene, Bryan Walters. Arrelious Benn and Tony Washington will fight Walters for the final spot. Special teams will play a huge role in the decision and Walters can return punts. TIGHT ENDS (4): Julius Thomas, Marcedes Lewis, Ben Koyack, Nic Jacobs. Neal Sterling might need another season on the practice squad to help with the transition from receiver to tight end. Koyack has been solid in OTAs and minicamp and steps into the role that Clay Harbor had. OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Luke Joeckel, Kelvin Beachum, Brandon Linder, A.J. Cann, Jermey Parnell, Tyler Shatley, Mackenzy Bernadeau, Josh Wells, Patrick Omameh. Luke Bowanko will start the season on PUP. The assumption is Beachum beats out Joeckel to be the starter at left tackle (which some inside the facility believe will happen). That would most likely put Joeckel at left guard, where he has gotten some reps during OTAs and minicamp. Still, the left side of the line is the concern because Linder, Cann and Parnell are solid. DEFENSIVE LINE (10): Dante Fowler Jr., Yannick Ngakoue, Malik Jackson, Sen’Derrick Marks, Sheldon Day, Roy Miller, Jared Odrick, Tyson Alualu, Abry Jones, Michael Bennett. (Will go on IR: Jonathan Woodard). The Jaguars could opt to keep nine players here and add another defensive back. In that case, Bennett would likely not make the team. He plays the same spot as Jackson, Marks and Day, and Day looked very good during OTAs. LINEBACKERS (6): Telvin Smith, Paul Posluszny, Dan Skuta, Myles Jack, Thurston Armbrister, Ryan Davis. Jack has started out as the second-team middle linebacker behind Posluszny, but could work his way onto the field on first and second down if he has a good camp and preseason. Otherwise, expect to see him on third down. Skuta and Davis are playing the newly-created "Lotto," meaning they line up at strongside linebacker but also rush. Smith needs to be more disciplined against the run. DEFENSIVE BACKS (9): Jalen Ramsey, Davon House, Prince Amukamara, Nick Marshall, Dwayne Gratz, Tashaun Gipson, Johnathan Cyprien, Peyton Thompson, James Sample. (Aaron Colvin is suspended for the first four games.) Ramsey will start on the outside, but also will get reps inside at nickel. When Colvin returns, Ramsey will stay outside and Colvin will play the nickel. Thompson has been moved from corner to free safety and will back up Gipson. Josh Evans, who started 36 games during the past three years at free and strong safety, is the most notable cut. SPECIALISTS (3): Jason Myers, Brad Nortman, Carson Tinker. The Jaguars will bring in camp competition for Myers, who missed a league-high seven PATs last season.
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