5 Jacksonville Jaguars Players with the Most to Gain in Training Camp

One of the last pushes for roster spots will begin soon when the Jacksonville Jaguars enter training camp. It may seem like the roster is nearly set, but with an exceptional training camp, some Jaguars players could find themselves on the way up.

For some, it's a chance to just make the roster. Undrafted free agents have the hardest journey to a 53-man roster spot, and training camp is pretty much the last chance to prove themselves to the coaching staff.

For others, it's a chance to lock up a starting job for at least the preseason if not more. Every player, whether he is likely to make the roster or not, wants to start and play, and training camp can be the vehicle for some to get there.

Training camp is where the offseason reaches its climax. Besides preseason, it's the closest players get to the real deal on the field, and it's where the worthy will be separated from the fodder.

Stefen Wisniewski

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Stefen Wisniewski snapped the ball for new Jaguars offensive coordinator Greg Olson back with the Oakland Raiders, and with a solid performance in training camp, he'll be doing the same this upcoming season.

While sophomore Luke Bowanko did a solid job last season as a rookie, Wisniewski is experienced and has worked with Olson for two seasons. That may make Wisniewski an unfair favorite, but it's just the situation the Jaguars are in.

However, Wisniewski won't be able to just win the job based on familiarity. He'll need to come out strong and prove to both Olson and offensive line coach Doug Marrone that he's deserving of a starting job.

Center could see a switch between Wisniewski and Bowanko throughout the season depending on who's performing, but Wisniewski can go from second to first just by putting in the work and showing that his experience is the proper route for the Jaguars at center.

James Sample

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James Sample suffered an unfortunate broken forearm in OTAs, and it put him at a disadvantage in the race for the free safety starting job. While he will miss some of training camp, he's not completely out of the starting job yet.

Sample, who was the Jaguars' fourth-round pick of the 2015 NFL draft, is competing with free-agent signing Sergio Brown for the job. Brown sat out some at minicamp, per the Associated Press' Mark Long, though he will get more time in training camp, but Sample just needs a few good performances to pull him level.

Brown's experience is a strong advantage, but it's obvious that Sample has the potential to become a better player than Brown has ever been. His exceptional ball skills and athleticism are impressive and along with a solid training camp performance should help him be prepared for a good rookie season. 

Sample probably won't be able to take the starting job in the small amount of time he'll have in training camp, but he can prove that he's just as worthy when preseason rolls around.

It'll likely come down to how both perform in the Jaguars' preseason games. They'll both get a fair amount of chances, but until then, Sample will need to show he's recovered and ready to take on the responsibility of being an NFL starter.

Neal Sterling

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Neal Sterling is for all intents and purposes a long shot to make the final 53-man roster. With 12 receivers active on the roster, Sterling isn't short of competition, and it's hard to not get buried in the depth as a rookie.

However, Sterling's unmistakable 6'3", 238-pound frame is his not-so-secret weapon, with the weight tipping the scales in his favor. Every team wants a guy with incredible size, and Sterling definitely has it.

Size alone won't give Sterling the roster spot he's striving for. He'll need to prove himself with the offense, and it would be a huge boost to bring something to the table with special teams. His size could come in handy for blocking field goals or punts.

Like a lot of guys striving for a roster spot, Sterling has to show that he can play on special teams. With 20 other rookies also trying to make it, he'll need to be exceptional and consistent if he wants to have a roster spot this season.

Tyler Shatley

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Like the aforementioned Bowanko, Tyler Shatley is entering his second year in the NFL but is fighting for a roster spot rather than a starting job. Austin Pasztor's switch from tackle to guard may push him out, but it will depend on Marrone's plans and Shatley's training camp performance.

Pasztor is expected to be a flex player on the line, and that's where Shatley has hope. He needs to prove that he is a viable backup at guard and that he can be the go-to option when the Jags don't bring Pasztor inside for certain plays.

Pasztor, depending on his overall progress, can function as the backup guard, but there's no guarantee that the transition will end up working out on the field. However, Shatley doesn't have the ability to wait and see if that works out.

Shatley doesn't necessarily have the talent to be a proper NFL starter, even down the line, but coming up with the Jaguars may allow him to earn a spot as a backup. 

The transition to Olson and Marrone shook up the offensive line in a positive way. Shatley will be pushing himself to keep his spot, and training camp is his last proper chance to prove he belongs.

Corey Grant

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Like Sterling, Corey Grant is a rookie trying to be the exception. Unlike Sterling, Grant went undrafted in this year's draft, but the former Auburn standout's speed (4.28 40-yard dash) and SEC pedigree may well prove him worthy of a roster spot.

There may not be a faster player on the current roster than Grant, and while that's incredible for him, he needs to prove he's not just a speedster. He obviously did well at Auburn, but the Jaguars aren't a college team and aren't in need of a hurry-up back.

Running back Denard Robinson found himself as the lead back last season, and his jaw-dropping quickness and instincts pretty much denies Grant that role. However, Robinson isn't necessarily an accomplished return man, and that's Grant's window.

Grant could be an electric returner if he can be consistent in his catching and make the most of his speed. Special teams aren't the preferred place to be, but a roster spot is a roster spot.

He needs to be near-perfect in training camp to assure he stays around for the preseason, and he'll have to be exceptional then as well. It won't be easy for Grant to earn a roster spot, but it's achievable. 

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.