Breaking Down Jacksonville Jaguars Likely Opening Game Starting Lineup
The Jacksonville Jaguars have spent this past offseason acquiring the important pieces, both free agents and rookies, to allow them to be proper competitors this offseason. A 23-21 win last Friday over the Pittsburgh Steelers showed that the team is developing at all levels of talent.
However, there are still some possible changes to the starting lineup and the entire roster in general. The battle for roster spots and starting jobs is very much alive, and the battleground for said battles is the preseason.
The competition and increased overall talent and depth have gotten the Jaguars off to a good start in the preseason, but the real deal isn't until Week 1. Good preseason performances are expected, but the important expectations arrive once the regular season starts.
There isn't a guaranteed Jaguars starting lineup for Week 1, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Options are good for a team, and the final weeks of preseason will determine that lineup. But until then, it's time to best predict the starting 22 for Week 1.
Quarterback
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In the most unsurprising and expected prediction for a starting job, quarterback Blake Bortles is easily the starter for the Jaguars in Week 1. The sophomore quarterback will be looking for a better season in 2015, and he certainly got to a good start in the first preseason game.
Bortles threw for 118 yards, completed 11 of 15 passes with three drops from his receivers and also had a nice run for a four-yard rushing touchdown. Bortles looked calm, confident and just better, plain and simple.
He has no competition at quarterback, with Chad Henne and Stephen Morris rooted into their roles as the backup and the third-string QBs, respectively. The system works, and while it's nice to have both of them as options, Bortles is untouchable as a starter.
His preseason performance has to be taken with a grain of salt, especially considering he went against the Steelers second-team defense for one of his drives. It was encouraging all the same, and he and the rest of the Jaguars will be excited for him to show his skills when Week 1 arrives.
Running Backs
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T.J. Yeldon didn't see a carry in the preseason game against the Steelers, mostly thank to a finger sprain in practice, and while fellow running backs Denard Robinson, Toby Gerhart and Bernard Pierce all had solid games, Yeldon still seems like the leader for the feature job.
However, the Jaguars are going to play their stable of RBs to fit situations. If there's a play or series that Robinson and Gerhart would be better suited for, the Jaguars won't hesitate to use them to get the best possible result.
Yeldon will remain the feature back, but the group of RBs the Jaguars have on-hand allows them to mix and match accordingly. Yeldon should be able to solidify his starting job in the coming preseason games, and he likely won't face too much adversity.
Offensive Line
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The starting offensive line had a solid performance against the Steelers, and they were, at worst, inconsistent. The occasional flag or missed assignment was apparent, but they started the preseason well and deserve credit for it.
Starting at center, there was speculation to whether Luke Bowanko or Stefen Wisniewski would start, with "Wiz" getting the nod. He did a fine job, and it seems that his consistency and experience will continue to edge out Bowanko this preseason and then in Week 1.
At guards, there is certainty on the right side and competition on the left. Brandon Linder is a certain starter at right guard and did well Friday, but Zane Beadles and A.J. Cann are battling it out fiercely on the left. It doesn't seem the Jaguars are any closer to a decision, but they have the rest of the preseason to make one.
Finally, there are also rooted starters at the tackle spots. Luke Joeckel had two bad plays that saw him allow a sack and then whiff a block, but his overall performance was better than previous showings. Free-agent signing Jermey Parnell also excelled, and he will certainly maintain his starting job for Week 1.
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Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
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The Jaguars played in a two-tight end set against the Steelers and used the formation when they unveiled a depth chart last week. With that in mind, this starter projection will include two TEs and two wide receivers.
The two starting WRs will be Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. Marqise Lee's injury issues have all but ended his position battle with Hurns, and that will allow the sophomore receiver from Miami to lineup alongside the promising Robinson.
At tight end, Julius Thomas and Marcedes Lewis will understandably get starting nods. Thomas is out for the rest of the preseason thanks to a fracture in his hand. Neither has viable competition for their starting jobs, and both he and Lewis will start Week 1.
Defensive Line
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The Jaguars didn't get to see three of their four starting defensive linemen this past Friday against the Steelers, and while that may sound concerning with the season so close, it was actually a safety measure.
Starting defensive ends Jared Odrick and Chris Clemons and defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks all missed the game due to injury, and their time off will help them return to the game at 100 percent as quickly as possible.
Odrick will start on the strong side with Clemons on the weak side at the "LEO" position. Marks is paired on the inside by Roy Miller, although Abry Jones is competing with Miller now and will throughout the season to start.
The defensive line isn't at full health right now, but their recovery is something the Jaguars have to deal with and just hope that they can all make it back by Week 1.
Linebackers
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The addition of Dan Skuta in free agency was one of the big moves of the Jaguars offseason, and his addition rounds out the starting linebacker group nicely going into this season.
None of the starting linebackers saw too much time in the first preseason game, and that doesn't matter too much. As a group, there may not be a less competitive situation on the Jaguars.
Skuta has come in and easily solidified his starting role on the strong side, and he's matched up with Jaguars veteran Paul Posluszny on the inside and sophomore Telvin Smith on the weak side.
The three make for a fine trio, and the addition of Skuta gives the Jaguars a guy that can play the run and the pass. Posluszny typically excels in the run and Smith has shined in pass defense, and Skuta should be able to match up well with both of them this season.
Corners
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In the base defense, the Jaguars will start two corners and two safeties. In the modern game, personnel changes nearly every play, so that means that if someone doesn't start as a corner, it doesn't necessarily mean they won't see extensive time on the field.
The two corners expected to start will be Demetrius McCray and Davon House, a solid and consistent pairing. Neither have unbelievable ball skills or will bring down loads of interceptions, but they are hard to beat and hold their own against all levels of opponents.
The starting nickel corner will be Aaron Colvin, who offers a wide array of talent and explosiveness that you don't get with House and McCray. However, neither of the other two can play inside as well as he can, and that's why the nickel is his best position.
While Colvin will be a starter inside, he'll see plenty of time on the outside, and it could result in a switch to the outside if he really blooms this season.
Safeties
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Strong safety and free safety have seen increased depth and talent over this past offseason, and that has caused position switches as well as competition at both positions.
Johnathan Cyprien's finger injury against the Steelers has him out for the preseason, but he should come back and be the immediate starter. Josh Evans has switched over to SS and will hope to impress while Cyprien is out, but it's unlikely he'll overtake the starting job.
At free safety, Sergio Brown is the likely starter thanks to remaining healthy and his experience. However, James Sample has returned to practice, as reported by FCN's Mike Kaye. Their battle may have just begun, but Brown looks like the probable starter for Week 1.
All stats were provided by ESPN.com unless otherwise stated.
Evan Reier is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report covering the Jacksonville Jaguars. Follow Evan on Twitter @evanreier.
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