JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser examines what we learned from the first few days of Jaguars 2016 Training Camp …
1.Jalen Ramsey is good.It's dangerous to say a rookie is going to be elite before his first padded NFL practice. But with Ramsey, it's hard to imagine him not at least being really, really good. His talent is that obvious. His length and strength is otherworldly for a cornerback, and he has the speed to close on wide receivers and receiving tight ends. The Jaguars selected Ramsey No. 5 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft in April. There were those who believed him worthy of No. 1 overall. It's not hard to see why.
2.The Jaguars are much more talented than years past.To look around practice this week and compare it to training camps past is to realize how far this roster had to go when General Manager David Caldwell and Head Gus Bradley took over. Ramsey, Paul Posluszny, Myles Jack, Allen Robinson, Blake Bortles, Tashaun Gipson, Malik Jackson, Brandon Linder, Allen Hurns, Dante Fowler Jr., Julius Thomas, Telvin Smith, Chris Ivory. Some have been in Pro Bowls in recent seasons. It wouldn't be a shock to see others on the list there in coming seasons. No one was talking about multiple Pro Bowlers when talking about this roster a few seasons back.
Take a look at some of the best images from the third day of Jaguars training camp.
3.Kelvin Beachum is in a good place …Beachum spent the offseason rehabilitating a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He didn't participate in one-on-one pass rush Saturday, but he participated in team drills twice last week. The team is being cautious with his return, but it appears he is on schedule and ready to compete for the left-tackle position.
4. … and the left-tackle competition is going to be real.Beachum and Luke Joeckel have rotated at first-team left tackle and left guard when Beachum has participated in team drills. Once Beachum starts participating in contact stuff, the competition will get real.
5.Dante Fowler Jr. is healthy.While Ramsey's performance has been a big story of early camp, it shouldn't overshadow that of Fowler. The defensive end and No. 3 overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, Fowler missed his rookie year with a torn ACL. He looked healthy, agile, fast and strong in the first three days of camp. He also performed well in the team's first day in shoulder pads Saturday. All good signs.
6.Allen Robinson is still good.With so much focus on Jaguars newcomers, Robinson -- the team's lone Pro Bowl selection last season – perhaps seemed a little forgotten at times this offseason. But make no mistake: Robinson's Pro Bowl season last season was no fluke. He looks stronger, more confident and better. He has the distinct look of a player becoming a perennial No. 1 receiver.
7.Malik Jackson looks the part.It's difficult to gauge defensive linemen until the pads go on, but Jackson looked quick and strong in shoulder pads Saturday. He also was impressive in pass-rushing drills. That's not unexpected for a player many considered the top free-agent signee in the offseason, but it's still important to see.
Take a look at images from the first day of training camp.
8.Brandon Linder has had a good start.Yes, it was only one-on-one rush pass rushing drill, but seeing Linder completely handle defensive tackle Abry Jones you remember why Linder was considered the Jaguars' best offensive lineman before missing much of last season with a labrum injury.
9.Marqise Lee is wait and see.Marqise Lee missed the last two days with a hamstring injury. It's not thought serious, and Lee is confident the issue won't set him back. But considering his time missed in past offseasons and training camps, the team and Lee must hope this one doesn't linger.
10. The rookies look good. Really good.That was expected from the draft class many considered the NFL's best this past offseason, but it's not just Ramsey and second-round linebacker Myles Jack who look good. The team loves what it has seen from tackle Sheldon Day and end Yannick Ngakoue. The Jaguars' rookies aren't remotely finished products, but all four have shown signs of eventually living up to their draft potential. That doesn't always happen. If it does, it bodes well for the future of this franchise.
