5 Players Who Might Find Themselves on Jaguars' Practice Squad in 2015

When the Jacksonville Jaguars or other NFL franchises "demote" someone to the practice squad, it doesn't mean the end for that player's chances at contributing. In fact, a lot of players come off of the practice squad to impress and satisfy what the team asks of them.

So, with a packed roster that is seeing a greater depth of talent than the teams of the recent past, every cut hurts. However, signing players to the practice squad keeps them improving and available for when the Jaguars might need them the most.

It's no fun to be on the practice squad. It doesn't pay what players think of when NFL salaries come to mind, and it's hard to break through. But patience is a tremendous virtue, and staying around can end up meaning a contributing spot to the team at some point in the season.

Most players feel they need an in-game chance to really show what they can do, and while a demotion to the practice squad is painful, it keeps that door open. The Jaguars also want to see them do well, and hopefully, there can be one or two guys to come up and make a difference in 2015.

Brennan Williams

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Tackle Brennan Williams was a small-time signing this past offseason, but he's a guy who impressed in college and could still be a worthy depth player. He didn't get much of a chance with the Houston Texans, but the Jaguars' practice squad may be the perfect scenario for him to find his game and stay relevant throughout the season.

Williams went to North Carolina and was selected by the Texans in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. Injuries kept him out of a lot of chances in school and with the Texans, but he's been healthy this past offseason, and that's hopeful.

However, where Williams has been healthy, he hasn't necessarily stood out in OTAs or in minicamp. It's difficult for players like Williams to really make an impact right now due to the lack of pads, but nonetheless, he's been quiet.

Williams may find a good situation if he goes to the practice squad despite his probable aspirations to be a starter. He can continue to show he's healthy and worthy and come in should injury or a series of bad games befall a tackle.

It may not be what Williams was looking for when he joined the Jaguars this past winter, but it could be for the best. He's got something to offer the Jaguars, especially at the overall level of talent at tackle currently on the squad.

Thurston Armbrister

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In my slideshow Monday, Thurston Armbrister was on the outside looking in. He doesn't seem like he has the talent to make the team, especially considering how deep the inside linebacker position is.

But while he may not have a place on the final 53-man roster, he could have a place on the practice squad. Armbrister still has a good bit of potential, and with starting inside linebacker Paul Posluszny aging and coming off an injury, Armbrister could be a fail-safe.

That's not to say that Armbrister can be a "Poz" in the future, but he definitely can reach starting-roster quality. Armbrister could make it as either a backup or a package specialist, so the Jaguars should see if they can keep him for the future.

However, a guy like Armbrister knows that the Jaguars weren't the only team interested in signing him after the NFL draft, so keeping the former Miami Hurricane on the practice squad may not be possible.

It's a prickly situation, but Armbrister is too good of a young talent to completely leave behind. It'll most likely come down to whether he wants to be on the practice squad in Jacksonville or somewhere else.

Desmond Cooper

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Desmond Cooper is a homegrown talent for the Jaguars, and that could be a big factor in his consideration for the practice squad. The former Bolles School standout is a local, but that isn't the only thing he's got going for him.

Cooper has gotten more media attention than most players his caliber thanks to being a local, but he's a solid option as a safety and as a special teams player due to his large frame and impressive work ethic.

Cooper is quoted in First Coast News' Mike Kaye's May 12 article as saying, "Special teams is one of the most important parts of football. It's very important for me to get out there, make a special teams spot, learn the playbook and give it my all."

He obviously has the right mentality. At his current level, Cooper isn't going to crack into the starters, and the best way he can contribute to the team he grew up with is through special teams.

Cooper could make the actual roster, but I think a more likely place is on the practice squad. He can easily move up, though, and having a locally raised talent playing for the Jaguars would put smiles on a lot of fans.

Neal Sterling

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Neal Sterling was the first of two players taken by the Jaguars in the 2015 NFL draft's seventh round, and while last year's seventh-rounder, Storm Johnson, made the final roster, Sterling may not be so fortunate.

Like most seventh-round selections, Sterling didn't receive a lot of attention after being drafted; however, his 6'4", 235-pound frame tended to catch eyes. He's gigantic, and that could be the thing that keeps him on the practice squad instead of being cut.

Sterling doesn't have the technical skill to be on the final roster, but he could develop it. Guys his age still have a lot to learn, and working on the practice squad could see him improve and eventually work up to a roster spot should another player become unavailable.

The Jaguars have 12 active receivers on the roster including Sterling, so there's obviously an intense competition for spots. However, Sterling may be able to get a consolation prize due to his size and youth, whereas older players will likely be cut without a chance at the practice squad.

Sterling may feel he can make a roster somewhere else, but the Jaguars' practice squad would be a good place to get paid and to develop. It's not preferable for rookies, but it's better than the couch.

Corey Grant

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Corey Grant blazed onto the scene as an undrafted free agent, and his speed and SEC pedigree had a lot of people picking him as a surprise final roster member. While he can still make the roster, the practice squad seems more probable for the former Auburn back.

With six running backs on the roster, there is tough competition for somewhere between three and four spots, depending on the special teams. Like Cooper, Grant's best bet is on special teams as a returner, but veterans Denard Robinson, Ace Sanders and Tandon Doss are also competing for those spots.

Grant's speed is something the Jaguars really don't have in a back. Robinson is quick and instinctive, but it's not necessarily "breakaway speed." Grant, on the other hand, is one of the fastest players on the roster.

But he doesn't stand out as a running back enough to earn a spot just for that. And with such intense competition, it'll be easy for Grant to get edged out of a spot. So, instead of finding work elsewhere, he can wait in the wings to use his pace when the Jaguars need him.

Running backs always seem to be injured in the NFL, and being a returner is one of the most dangerous jobs in football. With those two aspects in mind, Grant on the practice squad could end up being a really sound investment.