JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars open the 2021 NFL regular season at the Houston Texans on Sept. 12 at NRG Stadium. The Jaguars finished 2020 with a 1-15 record, the worst record in the NFL, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
With No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars finally believe they have the franchise quarterback who has eluded the team for so long. Now the priority is building around the former Clemson standout, and the Jaguars have gotten off to a good start at receiver, but there's a lot of work to be done on the offensive line.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Trevor Lawrence, C.J. Beathard
Although Lawrence and Gardner Minshew II rotated days with the first-team offense throughout much of camp, Lawrence was named the opening-day starter and Misnhew was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. While Minshew out-performed Beathard in camp, Beathard, who is guaranteed $2.75 million, looked much better in preseason games, so the trade wasn't a surprise.
RUNNING BACK (4): James Robinson, Carlos Hyde, Dare Ogunbowale, Devine Ozigbo
Travis Etienne Jr., the 25th overall pick, was going to play a major role in the offense until a Lisfranc injury in his left foot put him out for the season. Ogunbowale led all backs in touches (17) through the first two preseason games. Ozigbo and Nathan Cottrell will fight for the fourth spot.