JACKSONVILLE – Work has been done. Progress has been made.
And while the 2024 offseason isn't over, and while NFL player acquisition never really ends, Ethan Waugh overall said he sees the Jaguars' roster as improved in recent months.
That gives him a good sense as 2024 organized team activities approach.
"I feel a lot better," Waugh said of the roster recently.
Waugh, the Jaguars' assistant general manager, spoke to the media Friday shortly before Jaguars 2024 rookie camp. With the 2024 NFL Draft and much of free agency in the rearview, Waugh said he likes how the Jaguars combined those two acquisition opportunities to improve the team's size, strength and speed.
Head Coach Doug Pederson throughout the offseason has discussed adding "winners," saying shortly before the draft players such as free agent defensive tackle Arik Armstead – who played in the Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers last season – were added because they understood the need to "keep our foot on the gas and keep pushing" throughout the season.
"We need more guys like that," Pederson said.
Waugh on Friday said free agency moved toward that end.
"I feel like we added players through free agency that fit us in terms of their makeup," he said. "Obviously, their ability as well – but also their makeup in terms of coming from winning programs that have played in big games and big games late in the season. Having those guys here will help the rest of our team grow in that capacity."
Waugh, too, said the free-agency approach benefitted the team during the draft in late April.
The Jaguars in addition to Armstead signed unrestricted free agents such as wide receiver Gabe Davis (Buffalo Bills), center Mitch Morse (Bills), wide receiver/returner Devin Duvernay (Baltimore Ravens), cornerback Ronald Darby (Ravens), outside linebacker Trevis Gipson (Tennessee Titans), safety Darnell Savage Jr. (Green Bay Packers) and tight end Josiah Deguara (Packers).
They also traded for backup quarterback Mac Jones (New England Patriots), then selected nine players in the 2024 NFL Draft – including wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (Round 1) and defensive lineman Maason Smith (Round 2).
"We were fortunate enough in free agency, we didn't pigeonhole ourselves in the draft in terms of having to take a specific position," Waugh said. "We were able to take the best player or the player that we thought could help our team the most rather than we have to have X position.
"That's really good and we feel good about the team. We feel there will be competition at almost every spot. That's probably in the eye of the beholder, but I think we have pretty good depth at most spots."
NOTABLE
- Pederson on Friday said the team is working to prepare for new kickoff rules implemented by the NFL this offseason. Under the rules, most members of the kickoff coverage team will line up around the receiving team's 40-yard line and most members of the receiving team (except returners) will line up around the receiving team's 35-yard line. The idea is to increase returns while also making returns safer. The Jaguars focused on special teams in the draft, selecting running back/returner Keilan Robinson and kicker Cam Little in part because their skills could be positives on kickoffs and returns. Pederson said the team has worked on kickoffs throughout the offseason, and will continue to do so when Phase 3 of the offseason program – organized team activities – begin at the Miller Electric Center Monday. "We've started from Phase One with our special teams, introducing the new scheme, the layout," Pederson said. "We've worked it. Even though we can't compete against each other in Phase Two, we're still working through the alignments and assignments. When we get to Phase Three when we can kind of go against each other a little bit more, it will give us a bigger or a brighter picture as to how it's going to unfold for us." Waugh said personnel officials met with special teams coaches often to project the impact of the new rules. "You know … what do we think is going to happen, what are the schemes you guys are looking at using, what do you think we're going to see and just trying to figure that out," Waugh said. "The big thing is you're going to need a second returner and – in our eyes – a second returner with speed. That way they can't just kick the ball away from us. If we put two guys out there that can run, that's going to make us pretty dangerous. We'll see what the kickoff team's answer to that is. It's all a little bit gray. The preseason will show a lot of how different teams look at it and how they plan to exploit it."
Week in and week out. The work continues at Miller Electric Center, check out some of the best shots from this week ➡️
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker De'Shaan Dixon (47) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (68) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman Tyler Lacy (93) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Elijah Cooks (14) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Luke Fortner (79) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (33) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Tyler Shatley (69) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive backs coach Kris Richard during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Devin Duvernay (12) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars inside linebacker coach Matt House during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars assistant outside linebackers coach Mario Jeberaeel during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Yasir Abdullah (56) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Travon Walker (44) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Trevis Gipson (50) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Mitch Morse (65) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence (16), C.J. Beathard (3) and Mac Jones (10) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Josh Pederson (87) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson and tight end Brenton Strange (85) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Luke Farrell (89) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Yasir Abdullah (56) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Devin Duvernay (12) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (2) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Tim Jones (15) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Cam Robinson and offensive line coach Phil Rauscher during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Tyler Shatley (69) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (68) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars XXX during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman DaVon Hamilton (52) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Tyler Shatley (69) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Luke Farrell (89) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Patrick Murtagh (88) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Cam Robinson (74) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars equipment staff during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Trevis Gipson (50) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker DJ Coleman and outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars director of player personnel Regis Eller (left) and pro scout Casey Belongia (right) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker Travon Walker (44) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker De'Shaan Dixon (47) and outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Anton Harrison (77) and Cooper Hodges (75) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker DJ Coleman during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Anton Harrison (77) and Cooper Hodges (75) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter (99) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo (90) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars special teams coordinator Heath Farwell and outside linebacker Yasir Abdullah (56) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Luke Farrell (89) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebacker DJ Coleman (54) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Anton Harrison (77) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Anton Harrison (77) and tight end Evan Engram (17) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Cooper Hodges (75) during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars assistant secondary coach Mike Gray during voluntary offseason workouts at the Miller Electric Center on May 7, 2024.
