Close Article Return to stream X
NFL •

5 Jacksonville Jaguars Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs

+Read full article
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

5 Jacksonville Jaguars Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs

Jacksonville Jaguars
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to kick off OTAs next week, which means it is time for guys who are not certain to make the roster to step up and prove their worth. Veteran players, drafted rookies and undrafted free agent rookies alike are all eager to show what they can do. Here are five players who will need to impress during OTAs in order to make the team or keep their role as a starter or contributor.

5. Arrelious Benn, WR

Arrelious Benn
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

5. Arrelious Benn, WR

Arrelious Benn
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

In somewhat of a head-scratching move, Jacksonville signed Arrelious Benn in January. Benn hasn’t caught a pass since 2012 and wasn’t even on a team during the 2014 regular season. He must prove he can stay healthy, and he must beat out some of the young wide receivers in order to make the final 53-man roster. The odds are not in his favor, as Jacksonville will surely be making cuts at the wide receiver position this summer.

4. Clay Harbor, TE

Clay Harbor
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

4. Clay Harbor, TE

Clay Harbor
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Harbor was serviceable in his first two seasons in Jacksonville, catching 50 balls and three touchdowns in 29 games. He is far from spectacular, though. Jacksonville brought on Pro Bowl tight end Julius Thomas this offseason and still has Marcedes Lewis. The team also drafted Ben Koyack out of Notre Dame this year. It will be an uphill climb for Harbor to make the roster unless the Jags decide to carry four tight ends this season.

3. Ziggy Hood, DT

Ziggy Hood
Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

3. Ziggy Hood, DT

Ziggy Hood
Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville cut Red Bryant earlier this offseason, proving the team is not afraid to cut a veteran to make room for younger players. Hood played a rotational role last season for the Jags, amassing just 24 total tackles and one sack in 16 games. With Sen’Derrick Marks, Roy Miller and Arby Jones all returning, and the additions of free agent Jared Odrick and rookie Michael Bennett, Hood’s job is far from secure.

2. Josh Evans, FS

Josh Evans
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

2. Josh Evans, FS

Josh Evans
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

While Evans is more or less a lock to make the team, his job as the starting free safety is in question. He didn't play very well in 2014, failing to record a single interception, sack or forced fumble. With the signing of Sergio Brown and the drafting of James Sample, Evans may find himself on the bench this season. He did record 90 tackles last season with two fumble recoveries, but he has to step up in order to retain his starting role.

1. Toby Gerhart, RB

Toby Gerhart
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

1. Toby Gerhart, RB

Toby Gerhart
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Gerhart was signed in the 2014 offseason to be the feature back of the Jags. Unfortunately, he never really panned out, and Denard Robinson took over the starting role until he was injured. Gerhart had just 326 yards and two touchdowns in 2014. With Robinson healthy, T.J. Yeldon certain to get carries and the presence of Bernard Pierce and Storm Johnson, Gerhart’s playing time will diminish -- and he may not even make the final roster.

Ryan O'Bleness is a writer for RantSports.
Your Favorites
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
NFL• Videos•

Jaguars' Dante Fowler Referees Brawl Between Baby Mama, GF

Dante Fowler missed his entire rookie campaign in 2015 with a torn ACL, and his offseason is getting off to an equally disappointing start. TMZ has released a video allegedly showing Fowler essentially refereeing a fight in a Florida apartment complex between his current girlfriend and his baby mama.

Comment 0 Comments