Jacksonville Jaguars: Guys on the Bubble Heading into Final Preseason Game

Zach Miller is on the bubble for the 53-man roster
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

The Jaguars have gone through three preseason games now and managed an unimportant 2-1 record.

There have been glimpses of great play, and at the same time glimpses of the 2011 Jaguars team that many fans are trying to forget.

Between both offense and defense, the Jaguars have shown some improvement from last season, most notably Blaine Gabbert.

On the other hand, the Ravens showed why it is a little too early to get excited over a young and unproven Jaguars team.

Heading into the final preseason game against Atlanta, the Jaguars have until Aug. 31 to make their roster go from 75 players to 53. 

With a lot of locks already on the team to make the roster, here is a quick look at some bubble players that may not be wearing a Jaguars uniform come Week 1 of the regular season.

TE Zach Miller

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Jaguars TE Zach Miller has had an up-and-down career thus far in the NFL. 

Drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL draft, Zach Miller came to Jacksonville as a development tight end after playing quarterback at Nebraska-Omaha.

After staying fairly healthy his first two years playing a backup TE role, Miller was only able to play in four games last season with a total of four catches for 42 yards.

Miller is a freak of nature, as he is a big bodied, great hands, speedy TE. 

Unfortunately, he just has not been able to stay healthy enough to contribute much for Jacksonville.

Miller was injured in the Jaguars' last game vs. Baltimore after his first reception of the preseason and is expected to miss "several" weeks.

If Miller can prove that he is near 100 percent soon and still capable of contributing, then he's a guy you hang on to; however, if not, he is turning 28 this year and his time is running out.

DB Rod Isaac

Elsa/Getty Images

Hard to see in the picture, but that is Jaguars defensive back Rod Isaac.

Drafted last year out of Middle Tennessee State in the fifth round, Isaac has had no luck thus far in his pro football career.

Trying out cornerback and safety, Isaac has not really been able to translate his college success to the NFL level.

So far this preseason, he has looked lost on coverage, and doesn't really fit anywhere in the depth chart in the backfield.

With the corner depth, Isaac's only chance was to help with depth at safety, and that looks to be solidified with Chris Prosinski and Courtney Greene.

It's difficult to let go of a fifth-round pick just one year in, but Isaac hasn't shown any reason to keep him there when undrafted talent this year is more productive.

RB Jalen Parmele

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Running back Jalen Parmele was signed during the offseason after failing to do much as a Baltimore Raven.

Coincidentally, Parmele's first decent showing was this past game against the Ravens.

With two beautiful kick returns in the game, it was the first time that he had shown any life in the preseason after the coaches raved about his play during OTA's and training camp.

My thoughts are: too little too late.

With Montell Owens and Keith Toston playing very solid the first two games, Parmele may just be the odd man out.

Much will change if Maurice Jones-Drew shows up, as Rashad Jennings will back him up, who will then be backed up by Montell Owens. That would more than likely mean that Toston and Parmele are both off the 53-man roster.

For now, Parmele should just hope that MJD continues to be a no-show.

OT William Robinson

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

After re-signing him during the offseason, offensive tackle William Robinson has been nearly non-existent in the preseason.

Based solely on depth, Robinson's chances of making the team seem to go up every day that the Jaguars see injuries to their offensive line.

Placing C John Estes, G Drew Nowak, and G Jason Spitz on the IR today, the Jaguars will be scrambling to get some depth come the regular season.

Based on play alone, Robinson would not be gearing up on Sunday's, but he looks like he may get a chance to stay on the team for now.

DE Odrick Ray

Handout/Getty Images

Most known for his off-the-field issues, Ray has a big frame and plenty of talent, just no impact thus far.

As he is still very young and raw, the Jaguars were hoping that Odrick would be able to provide some depth at the defensive end position.

A candidate for the practice squad, Ray is looking to help back up Jeremy Mincey and Andre Branch.

Currently, the Jaguars are looking at getting that help from injured Austen Lane, injured John Chick, injured George Selvie, and healthy Aaron Morgan.  A little difficult when everyone is injured.

The Jaguars are moving DT Corey Irvin over to DE, proving even more they don't have much trust in Ray.

Another position with a lack of depth, Ray will need to step up his game in the last week in order to have any chance at making the team. 

LB JK Schaffer

Tyler Barrick/Getty Images

An undrafted rookie from Cincinnati, JK Schaffer has shown plenty of talent with the second team defense.

With a disappointing showing so far from fifth-rounder Brandon Marshall, and undrafted rookie Julian Stanford, the Jaguars are looking for depth at linebacker with Clint Sessions looking like he will miss the year with lingering concussion symptoms.

Schaffer has been a very consistent tackler, and the Jaguars have shown they are not scared to put undrafted rookies on the 53-man roster.

Russell Allen and Kyle Bosworth are two prime examples, with Allen getting ready to start at linebacker this year for the Jags.

The Jaguars were high on Julian Stanford, who has yet to really make any kind of impact in the preseason. 

One of those two look to make the team, and I'd put Schaffer in the lead right now.

CB Antonio Dennard

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Another undrafted rookie, Antonio Dennard has done a pretty solid job in the preseason so far.

After last year, the Jaguars know that you need to stock up on healthy, talented cornerbacks, as they fall fast.

With Rashean Mathis, Derek Cox, Aaron Ross, William Middleton, Kevin Rutland and Mike Harris, the Jaguars may want to bring one more into the year. 

Dennard may just be that guy.

With an interception returned for a TD against Baltimore, Dennard is trying to prove that he is worthy of grabbing a spot on the 53-man roster.

He would easily be a practice squad guy if he is not signed.

QB Jordan Palmer

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

As much as I don't want to put this guy on the bubble, you have to.

The Jaguars are known for going into the year with two quarterbacks, and they don't look like they are going to put Palmer ahead of Chad Henne.

Palmer has shown that he is a pretty good QB and personally, I would keep him to back up both Gabbert and Henne.

Henne signed a pretty rich contract for a backup, and the Jaguars look like they plan on keeping him as Gabbert's backup.

Jordan Palmer is a smart, talented QB.  He's on the bubble, but my instincts think he will be dressed come Week 1 in Minnesota.

WR Kevin Elliot

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The Jaguars are extremely high on Kevin Elliot, and he was able to pull down the game-winning TD catch against the Saints in the Jags second preseason game.

Problem is he hasn't done anything else.

Elliot has great size and speed for a WR, but I am not sure if he will be able to produce right away in the NFL.

Behind Justin Blackmon, Laurent Robinson, Mike Thomas, Cecil Shorts, and Brian Robiskie, I am curious to see if this team goes into the season with a five- or six-deep WR corps.

Elliot would easily beat out Demetrius Williams for that spot, but only time will tell to see where the Jags go deep at position.

I'm guessing he'll be a Jaguar come game day.

LB Julian Stanford

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

The last player worth noting as a bubble guy is LB Julian Stanford.

A guy this team really liked, Stanford hasn't lived up to his expectations during the preseason.

With an extreme lack of depth at LB, the Jaguars are looking for one or two guys to step up and show they are worthy of backing up Posluszny, Smith and Allen.

Stanford's week will be very critical to his chances of making the team.

As I noted in an earlier slide, I think that JK Schaffer has the advantage over him right now, but that could change with a very solid week and game against Atlanta.