Setting Realistic Expectations for Each Jacksonville Jaguars Rookie

Rookies bring an annual freshness to every squad, a fact especially true for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The team has been one of the youngest in the NFL for the past couple of years, and this year's additions may be the best yet.

There are currently 21 rookies on the roster, but there seven in particular who will most likely make the team.

There may be one or two undrafted free agents taken into the final squad, but it's typically unlikely, even if they are performing well. The fact of the matter is that 90-100 percent of UDFAs don't make it, so they won't be listed here.

There is one other exclusion. First-round selection Dante Fowler Jr. Fowler's infamous ACL tear in his very first practice has him on the sidelines for the entire season, so there is no need to address his expectations.

For the remaining seven players, it's time to analyze fair expectations for their performances.

Being a rookie on the Jaguars means a lot right now, and this year's crop will look to contribute as much as they possibly can.

T.J. Yeldon

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T.J. Yeldon is now dealing with a lot more attention and will likely be under more scrutiny than he initially would have due to Fowler's injury. He's now the de facto leader of this rookie class, and dealing with that won't be easy.

However, just because he's now under a bigger spotlight doesn't necessarily mean we should expect more from him.

Yeldon wants to be the starter, and his recent comments about being low on the depth chart are a testament to the standards he sets for himself.

So what are realistic expectations for the aspiring three-down running back?

Well, first, you have to consider his college performance, which saw him run for nearly 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.

Yeldon has the ability to do anything the Jaguars ask of him, and he's possibly the most NFL-ready RB in the entire Class of 2015.

With all this in mind, it's fair to say that Yeldon should get 600-800 yards and somewhere around five touchdowns. Those aren't terrible numbers, but what's more important is that he shows off his superior instincts and is as versatile as he is billed to be.

A.J. Cann

John Raoux/Associated Press

A.J. Cann was the Jaguars' third-round selection in this year's draft, and to say they made a near-perfect move is an understatement. Experienced and talented, Cann was the best guard available and ready to work in Jacksonville.

However, Cann's transition hasn't been a cakewalk. That's not to say Cann has disappointed, but he's competing with a former Pro Bowler in Zane Beadles, and stepping up to that level is never easy.

Beadles has improved, and the switch to a gap-blocking scheme suits Beadles more than Cann. Cann showed incredible ability in zone situations in college, and even with that unfamiliarity, there is still a lot to expect from him.

Realistic expectations for Cann should be to learn under Beadles and show he has what it takes when he does get playing time. He hasn't had a bad offseason (nothing critical has been released by the Jaguars), and he's still got time to show he deserves to start.

Cann may not be the Week 1 starter but should be ready to come in at a moment's notice. The Jaguars want a developmental year for their rookies, but Cann could see more playing time than the average rookie if he's lucky.

James Sample

John Raoux/Associated Press

James Sample has been dealing with an injury for the past few weeks but should be fit by the middle of training camp. While this has given free-agent signing Sergio Brown a chance to secure a starting role, it's not an indication of what could come this season.

Sample's insane ball skills are really something to admire, and his play at Louisville last year suggests that he can make the step up to the pros. Plus, Sample doesn't necessarily have to blow people away this year.

In the past, Sample has almost always played strong safety for his teams, but he's now being transitioned to the free safety spot, which needs his depth and skill.

Competing with Brown has been good for Sample, and learning from him will be a big help in his first season. Learning straight from a source is always the best plan of action.

Realistically, Sample should be expected to continue to compete for the starting position and to put in decent performances when he sees the field. He won't have to light up opposing offenses but will need to show comprehension and improvement.

Rashad Greene

Gary McCullough/Associated Press

Coming from one of the top college football programs in the nation (Florida State) tends to set the bar high in the NFL. While Rashad Greene wasn't the Seminoles' best player, he was an important one and will be important to the Jaguars offense this season.

With the receivers they have, the Jaguars need Greene to step up as the No. 1 slot receiver. Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee are both capable of playing inside as well, but it'd be preferable for them to cause havoc on the outside.

Greene has decent speed and consistent hands, but the major concern is his size. Slot receivers are typically small, but at 5'11" and 182 pounds, Greene seems a little undersized.

However, "undersized" isn't a death sentence, and Greene has enough ability elsewhere to make defenses pay for doubting him. He can be a big part of the offense in his rookie year; he just has to show he can handle it.

For Greene, fair expectations would be a few hundred yards, a touchdown or two and an overall performance that isn't bad enough to make the Jaguars consistently go elsewhere.

It's a big job, but Greene's been in the spotlight before and should be ready for this new challenge.

Michael Bennett

Gary McCullough/Associated Press

Michael Bennett was an absolute steal in the sixth round. Concerns over his motor, which translated to illegitimate concerns about his work ethic, saw him drop into the sixth, and the Jaguars capitalized.

Bennett has been impressing teammates with his recent performances, and it seems like most of the concerns are either now moot or still yet to be addressed directly.

So with Bennett performing up to his initial billing and then some, how well should he play this season?

It's hard to tell, thanks to a pretty deep defensive tackle spot headed by Sen'Derrick Marks.

Bennett will most likely compete with Ziggy Hood for the backup spot, and if he wins, Hood could be cut. If Bennett earns that backup spot, it'll say a lot about his talent.

Realistically, Bennett should make the most of his playing time and show that he can handle NFL offensive lines consistently. He may not need to blow people off the ball or get a lot of sacks, but there needs to be multiple signs that he's holding his own as a rookie.

Ben Koyack

John Raoux/Associated Press

Ben Koyack was the second of two players selected by the Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft, but it seems like his job is more certain than that of his compatriot, Neal Sterling.

With Julius Thomas and Marcedes Lewis as the two primary tight ends, there is only room for a couple more on roster—and that's with special teams consideration as well.

Koyack's physicality and his solid hands make him a better option as Lewis' backup, which most likely will kick tight end Nic Jacobs off the final roster. He's better in nearly every way, save for the fact that Jacobs has a year under his belt in the NFL.

However, if Koyack wants to keep his spot, he'll need to consistently perform and show that he's learning under Lewis. There are few guys better to study under, and Koyack needs to make the most of it.

Koyack won't see the field all too often, but when he does, he'll need to handle what the Jaguars drafted him for: blocking. If he can block consistently and catch the occasional ball, Koyack will satisfy relatively low expectations.

Neal Sterling

John Raoux/Associated Press

While Koyack may have a more certain spot on the team, it still seems probable that Sterling could make the team. As long as he can use his big size and show consistent improvement technically, he should be there this fall.

At the worst. we'll see Sterling on the practice squad, which, with injuries plaguing Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee last season, could definitely mean an eventual roster spot.

Sterling is making a big jump from Monmouth in New Jersey to the NFL in Jacksonville, but his 6'3", 238-pound frame makes that transition much easier. It'll still be a battle, but very few receivers are that big and show decent ball skills as well.

Overall, it's fair to expect that Sterling should either make the team or be promoted to the team at some point if he does get put on the practice squad. It may not be what he or some of his fans want, but he just has to stick around and get something out of his first season with the Jaguars in 2015.

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 at @evanreier.