<
        >

          NFL Nation

          Jaguars mailbag: No. 1 WR, Ryan Davis, and Marcedes Lewis

          May 23, 2015
          • Michael DiRoccoESPN Staff Writer
            Close
            • Covered University of Florida for 13 seasons for ESPN.com and Florida Times-Union
            • Graduate of Jacksonville University
            • Multiple APSE award winner
            Follow on Twitter

          Got questions about the Jacksonville Jaguars? I’ll try to answer a representative selection of them every week. Submit your questions via Twitter to @ESPNdirocco.

          On Sunday I’ll answer the Question of the Week.

          @ESPNdirocco: You made that question tougher by asking about the 53-man roster. There are several players that I could see making the practice squad but the active roster is more difficult. The best bet is probably one of the three linebackers (Thurston Armbrister, Matt Robinson and Todd Thomas) because that position group is by far the least deep on defense. After the three starters (Paul Posluszny, Telvin Smith and Dan Skuta) the most experienced player is LaRoy Reynolds. Reserve linebackers play special teams, so whichever one of those three turns out to be a very good special-teams player has the best chance.

          @ESPNdirocco: Not yet, but I really like Allen Robinson and I believe he could potentially become one. I like his size (6-foot-3) and he's got very good hands, plus the ability to go up and get the ball. The Jaguars haven't had many guys lately that are good at winning 50-50 balls. Plus, I was impressed by the fact that he missed nearly all of training camp and the preseason and still became the Jaguars' most consistent receiver until he got hurt. But if nobody develops into a true No. 1, that's OK. Teams can get by with several very good receivers.

          @ESPNdirocco: Part of the reason is that he's not a true pass-rushing leo. He's a little smaller (6-2) and he's a bit heavier (260 pounds) than the ideal size. The Jaguars like to use him inside in their four-leo package because he's a pretty good rusher from the interior, but the Jaguars don't use that package. Plus, defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks has been a pretty good rusher from the interior as well. Still, I think we'll see Davis get increased reps in 2015 after the loss of Dante Fowler Jr. to a torn ACL. Chris Clemons will turn 34 this season and the Jaguars are going to limit his reps, which should mean more playing time -- inside and occasionally outside -- for Davis.

          @ESPNdirocco: The first answer is Blake Bortles. If he plays well and continues to develop then the Jaguars' offense can be effective and not a liability. The second answer is the offensive line. It was not very good the past two seasons -- NFL-worst 71 sacks allowed in 2014 -- and it needs to be better in the run game. If the Jaguars can't run the ball and Bortles is again battered around, then it's hard to imagine the offense being any better in 2015. And if the offense isn't better, the record won't be much better.

          @ESPNdirocco: He'll be the second or third tight end, depending on the formation. I've been told Clay Harbor has had a great offseason so far and he'll be the No. 2 pass-catching tight end behind Julius Thomas. Lewis will work mainly as a blocker.

          @ESPNdirocco: His recovery from the torn ACL is right on schedule. He'll be held out of OTAs while he continues to rehab. I'm sure he'll be able to help Fowler in terms of what to expect after surgery and in rehab, but his main focus is getting back on the field. He's shooting for the season opener but that may not be realistic.

          @ESPNdirocco: The Jaguars have four players on the roster that could back up Luke Joeckel and Jermey Parnell: Sam Young, Austin Pasztor, Cody Booth, Josh Wells and Brennan Williams. Pasztor, who has played right tackle the past two seasons, should be moving inside to guard. Young is entering his sixth season and has the most experience, but the Jaguars may opt to go with Wells or Booth instead just because they have insurance with Pasztor, who could do it in a pinch.

          @ESPNdirocco: Well, normal recovery from a torn ACL is nine or 10 months, so it's unrealistic to expect Fowler to return this season. What Woodson did in coming back from that injury 19 weeks later was amazing. That was an abnormality and far from the norm.

          @ESPNdirocco: Absolutely. I would be surprised if he didn't take the first handoff of the 2015 season.