JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2021 Training Camp continued Friday.
It was the eighth day of the team's first training camp under Head Coach Urban Meyer, featuring a non-padded practice at the Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex. Each day throughout camp, four members of Jaguars Media – senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, team reporter Ashlyn Sullivan and senior reporter/editor J.P. Shadrick – will share an observation.
Here are Friday's "campservations:"
Oehser…
A couple of thoughts to start today's campservations. One is that wide receiver Laquon Treadwell continues to look like he has a very real chance to make this team. A first-round selection by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2016 NFL Draft, Treadwell signed with the Jaguars in the offseason. He hasn't outshone the top three receivers – DJ Chark Jr., Marvin Jones Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr. – but he may have been the team's most consistent receiver thus far after that group. Also: credit to veteran cornerback Sidney Jones IV, who has shown up consistently throughout camp. He had a pass breakup Friday on a pass from rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence to Treadwell. Jones consistently makes plays when around the ball, and that's certain to be noticed by Jaguars Head Coach Urban Meyer.
Sexton…
If you're looking for Travis Kelce or Greg Kittles, then you're never going to be happy with the Jaguars' current tight ends. But if you're willing to let Chark, Shenault and Jones make the big plays, you might find these guys can be productive until a big-name, star-quality tight end arrives. This group – Tyler Davis, Chris Manhertz, Ben Ellefson, Luke Farrell, James O'Shaughnessy and Tim Tebow – all look like similar players. All have shown dependable hands, durable and effective blocking and the ability to find a hole in the defense and move the chains. That's not a bad thing. You would take any combination of these and be very comfortable they could do the job and help you execute. They've had plenty of conversations about them on the airwaves, but on the field they've been a good group of solid players who will work until the whistle blows.
Shadrick …
With a few receivers off to the side Friday, second-year wide receiver Collin Johnson took advantage in a couple two-minute periods with some nice receptions in traffic. The wide receiver cut could be one of the toughest decisions that Meyer and General Manager Trent Baalke will have this preseason. The returning talent has flashed in camp, and they have been joined with a pair of former first-round picks acquired in free agency (Treadwell and Phillip Dorsett II) and young players with skill sets that translate on the practice field. Preseason will be key here, looking at how often receivers "win" against live competition in route running and on special teams. "Every man has a record," Meyer said earlier this week. That will certainly weigh heavily at wide receiver.
Sullivan …
The Jaguars had six receivers miss practice due to some injuries and being cautious Friday, which created an opportunity for free-agent acquisition Jamal Agnew to have a big day. Agnew caught a bomb down the sideline from quarterback Gardner Minshew II in double coverage for a first down and also caught a touchdown from quarterback Jake Luton. Agnew worked on punts Friday, with Meyer involved heavily in the drill. Agnew's versatility as a punt returner and playmaker on offense is exactly what the Jaguars were looking for in free agency. They appear to have found a guy who can do both.
