T
he Jacksonville Jaguars are only a few days out from their first preseason game, but they are still making moves to bolster their roster. On August 4, the franchise announced a pair of roster moves– the signing of offensive lineman Tremayne Anchrum and defensive lineman Austin Johnson. Both players will be depth pieces and provide added insurance to both the offensive and defensive lines. To make room on the roster, wide receiver J.J. Jones was released.
Anchrum and Johnson both have multiple years of NFL experience. Anchrum joined the league as a seventh round pick in 2020, while Johnson joined the league as a second round pick in 2016. Bringing them in gives the Jaguars even more leadership in the locker room as they look to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
What the Signings Do
Entering training camp, the Jaguars’ offensive line featured a lot of bodies, but not a lot of proven talent. Aside from presumed starting left tackle Walker Little and guards Patrick Mekari and Ezra Cleveland, the rest of the starting core was still to be determined– with the Jaguars investing heavily in rookie talent. By adding Anchrum, the Jaguars land another guy who has proven himself over the years and can be a leader for the young guys.
Defensively, the Jaguars have a starting group most likely established on the defensive line, but adding Johnson gives them more options. Guys like Arik Armstead, Travon Walker, Josh Hines-Allen, DaVon Hamilton, Emmanuel Ogbah and Dawuane Smoot are the most likely starters, but Johnson’s ability to get to the quarterback makes him a good passing down option.
Jaguars’ 2025 Outlook
Coming off of a 4-13 season and entering this season with a whole new regime, expectations for the Jaguars are not very high among the outsiders. But in the building, Jaguars officials envision big things to happen this season, with hype predominantly surrounding No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter, who is looking to be the NFL’s first full-time two-way player. Multiple players have taken snaps on both sides of the ball, but Hunter is working towards being a starter both at wide receiver and cornerback. And if he is able to succeed, the Jaguars could face a unique situation that makes them a much scarier team for the rest of the league.
Regardless of what people in the building think, the Jaguars still need to put everything together. Signing quarterback Trevor Lawrence to a ludicrous contract extension last offseason that put him among the highest paid players in NFL history, the Jaguars are doing everything they can to set their franchise quarterback up for success so that he can prove that keeping him around was the right decision.
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