5 Jacksonville Jaguars poised to win big game against Atlanta Falcons

The Jacksonville Jaguars likely have a good idea of ​​what their 53-man roster will look like next week, but that doesn’t mean tonight’s preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons won’t be an important piece of the puzzle.

“Guys like that, to film that many shots for us to evaluate, and then obviously for other teams to evaluate when you get to cutting shots, no matter what, you’ve got good video there,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said this week.

“That’s why I continue to encourage all of our guys who are competing. Yes, you’re competing for our roster, but there’s 31 other teams looking as well. So always make the most of your opportunities when you get them.”

So which players in the running for a roster spot will need a particularly positive performance against the Falcons to boost their chances of making the team? We’ve got you covered below.

Elie cooks

Jaguars newcomer Elijah Cooks probably needs a bigger game than anyone tonight. It might not matter if the Jaguars only keep six receivers instead of seven, because Tim Jones should be considered a safe bet on the roster (he’s a starter on every return and special teams coverage unit). If Cooks has a big game tonight, the Jaguars might feel like they can’t afford to put him on waivers and lose him.

Tyler Lacy

Last year, the Jaguars selected Tyler Lacy early in the season, and they were even more optimistic about him entering training camp. The problem is, the Jaguars added three defensive linemen this season in Arik Armstead, Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson, and veterans Roy Robertson-Harris and DaVon Hamilton aren’t going away. Lacy has shined this preseason, but it could become a numbers game unless he proves the Jaguars can’t afford to place him on waivers.

Terrell Edmunds

Like other positions on the roster, safety is a position where the Jaguars have some versatility. They know Andrew Wingard will return at some point in the 2024 season, and they have the option to add Tashuan Gipson to the active roster after his six-game suspension ends. Add in Darnell Savage’s time and experience at the position, and the Jaguars have options. That said, Wingard and Gipson won’t help the Jaguars in Week 1, and fellow backup safety Daniel Thomas is dealing with an injury of his own. That could open the door for someone like Terrell Edmunds, who has shined throughout the preseason with his physical style of play.

Josiah Deguara

If the question was whether Josiah Deguara has done enough in training camp and the preseason to prove he has value during the regular season, the obvious answer is yes. Deguara could be the victim of a numbers game, though, given that Evan Engram, Brenton Strange and Luke Farrell are all guaranteed to make the roster. If Deguara plays so well that the Jaguars feel they need to have four tight ends, then his chances could potentially increase.

DJ Coleman

The Jaguars have an interesting dynamic when it comes to their edge depth. The Jaguars believe Arik Armstead could have value on the edge at times, while SAM linebacker Yasir Abdullah also offers some versatility at that level. That could make it difficult for DJ Coleman, a standout in training camp, to crack the 53 mark without a strong performance. Coleman has three pressures and two hits on the quarterback on 26 pass-rush repetitions this year, according to PFF. His 15.4% win rate on true passes (without screens, RPOs or play action) ranks seventh among Jaguars edge rushers over that span.