Jaguars Preseason Game 1: Jaguars vs. Cowboys

The Jaguars are back playing football for the first time since the Jaguars fell to the Chiefs in the Divisional round. In the first week of the Jaguars preseason, the Jags face the Cowboys in Dallas. The first week back for the Jaguars marks the first time Jags fans get to see the new acquisitions and the return of familiar faces. But before the Jaguars preseason kicks off, knowing what to look for is important.

1: The Rookies First Jaguars Preseason Game

It’s one of the most important aspects of building a team is developing rookies into quality starters and capable pieces. The Jaguars have a ton of intriguing talent on both sides of the ball, and getting the rookies reps in the first Jaguars preseason game will help the coaches, and fans, see their newest acquisitions on the field and in-game speed. Practice can only show so much, so seeing the rookies perform is one of the largest storylines heading into the first Jaguars preseason game.

Of the rookies, the more intriguing ones are offensive tackle Anton Harrison, running back Tank Bigsby, and defensive back Antonio Johnson.

Tank Bigsby

Tank Bigsby has received a lot of attention and praise through training camp, and deservedly so. He’s sparked a lot of intrigue through his play so far through training camp, and in his first game action during the upcoming Jaguars preseason, all eyes will be on him. He is projected to spell Travis Etienne Jr. in the regular season, but during the Jaguars preseason, it’s Bigsby’s time to shine.

Very rarely does a team have a true bell-cow back, and the Jaguars aren’t going to have one in 2023. Doug Pederson has strayed away from the bell-cow his entire coaching career, from his time in Philadelphia to his time in Jacksonville; Doug Pederson offenses have utilized multiple running backs every year. This doesn’t mean there won’t be a lead back, which will be Etienne in 2023. But it does mean that the second-string running back, in the Jaguars’ case Tank Bigsby, will have a prominent role in the offense heading into 2023. Be on the lookout for this young rookie to make an impression during the Jaguars’ preseason game against the Cowboys.

Antonio Johnson

Antonio Johnson is not as well known as Tank Bisgby or Anton Harrison, but he should be one of the targets of attention heading into the Jaguars’ preseason opener against the Cowboys. Johnson is a riser and has impressed in training camp. Drafted later than some expected, Johnson is capable of being a contributor in the defensive backfield, but he’s received a lot of praise for his work on special teams in training camp.

While he might not be an immediate contributor in the defensive backfield, his presence on special teams can be incredibly important and underrated in the NFL. Special teams have been the deciding factor in many games and seasons throughout NFL history. Just this past Super Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles struggled on special teams and allowed the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes to have even better field position on multiple punts and kickoffs.

If Antonio Johnson can be a solid contributor on special teams, he’s an incredible pick already, but don’t knock his skill on the defensive side of the ball as he has plenty of skill there as well. Antonio Johnson is one of the more intriguing prospects to watch throughout the Jaguars preseason.

Anton Harrison

Of the three, Anton Harrison is the most important rookie to watch in the Jaguars preseason game. Starting at offensive tackle, Harrison will be someone who needs to play well to leave the Jaguars comfortable along the offensive line. Especially so with the suspension of Cam Robinson and the departure of Jawaan Taylor.

Harrison, being a first-round pick, has a lot more weight put on his shoulders to be good from the beginning. That will be the focus of a lot of fans and coaches in the first Jaguars preseason game and throughout the rest of the Jaguars preseason. The question of “How will Anton Harrison play?” will be one of the main storylines of the 2023 season for the Jaguars.

The questions don’t stop at Harrison along the offensive line through. With a lot of young talent trying to prove their worth, and some veterans looking for a bounce-back year, the Jaguars offensive line is one of the biggest storylines heading into the Jaguars preseason opener on Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys.

2: How Well Does the Offensive Line Hold Up?

While the offensive skill positions have received praise from the local and national media, the offensive line for the Jaguars is still far from being elite. Heading into the Jaguars preseason, and especially week one against the Cowboys, it’ll be imperative that the offensive line shows up.

Unfortunately, there will still be questions after this first game. Tyler Shatley and Ben Bartch are not playing against the Cowboys. Their absence leaves open roles at offensive guard for Blake Hance, Chandler Brewer, Samuel Jackson, and Cooper Hoges. Of the options, Blake Hance is the most talked about, with Head Coach Doug Pederson acknowledging the impact Hance can have in the Jaguars preseason game against the Cowboys.

“Blake is another one that he can play a few roles in the offensive line. He can play tackle for you, he can play both guard spots. He’s a swing guy. It’s unfortunate with Tyler Shatley’s situation. Tyler would be the guy, right? But with Blake, he’s earned the right to go in there and compete.”

Anton Harrison is the other notable player along the offensive line. Entering his rookie season, Anton Harrison is getting the start at offensive tackle right away. If he can perform at a high enough level, then the Jaguars would be well set up for the regular season, regardless if Cam Robinson comes back and plays well.

For the first Jaguars preseason game, the depth chart along the offensive line looks like this:

LT: Walker Little

LG: Blake Hance

C: Luke Fortner

RG: Brandon Scherff

RT: Anton Harrison

This group along the offensive line will be backed up by Coy Cronk, Josh Wells, and Cole Van Lanen at offensive tackle. At offensive guard, the Jaguars have Chandler Brewer, Samuel Jackson, and Cooper Hodges. Darryl Williams is the backup center.

The success of this group is something that can determine how well the Jaguars can do in 2023, with the two teams in the Super Bowl having two of the best offensive lines in the league. While a leap to being one of the best offensive lines is unlikely, seeing improvement along the offensive line is a starting point that can be identified through the first Jaguars preseason game against the Cowboys.

3: Do the Starters Have a Strong Start?

Doug Pederson announced that the starters would get “a series or two” in the Jaguars’ preseason game against the Cowboys.

The decision on whether to play the starters or not has been mulled over for a while. Is it more important to give the starters time off heading into the season to keep them healthy? Or do the starters need reps in real games to get into a rhythm before the games that matter begin?

For the Jaguars preseason, getting the players meshed together will be incredibly important, especially on offense. With the new addition of Calvin Ridley, Evan Engram staying on a long-term contract, returning receivers Zay Jones and Christian Kirk, and Travis Etienne Jr. on the verge of a breakout, this Jaguars preseason is the most opportune time for the entire offense to jell together and get ready for the regular season.

It’s an exciting time to be a Jaguars fan, as heading into the Jaguars preseason, there are a lot of storylines to follow and players to watch. From exciting rookies and an enhanced offense to an offensive line trying to set their feet and a defensive group trying to put it all together, there’s plenty to look forward to in the first Jaguars preseason game of 2023.