After another week of Jacksonville Jaguars football, the positivity continues to rise. Between players continuing to break out, others developing, and so much more, there might not be a better time to be a Jaguars fan. Let’s take a look at some of the main takeaways from preseason Week 2 for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Preseason Week 2 Takeaways

The Preseason Week 2 Hero: Gregory Junior

Gregory Junior is continuing to prove that his hype is warranted. Junior’s played himself into the starting nickel cornerback conversation, thanks to his stellar play in preseason week two following his breakout performance in preseason week one.

In week one, Junior had a 90 coverage grade from PFF, and while his grade for preseason Week 2 isn’t nearly as high, Junior still made an impact. After the Lions were gifted a first down by the defense, Nate Sudfeld threw a pass over the middle, and Gregory Junior was in the right place at the right time, picked it off, and returned it for 37 yards, setting the Jaguars up in the Lions red zone. Immediately following the interception, the Jaguars’ offense scored to put the Jaguars up 12 to 0.

Just like he did against the Cowboys a week prior, Gregory Junior found the ball and made a huge play, leading to the offense putting up points with a much better field position.

Gregory Junior had been drawing praise all offseason, and it seems that the practice squad cornerback from just a year ago has played himself into the starting nickel spot on the Jaguars’ defense. It’s always nice to see young players develop, and Junior might be one of the best developmental stories in the NFL in 2023.

Preseason Week 2: The Rookies Came to Play

In preseason week 2, the Jaguars saw a lot more productivity from their rookies not named Anton Harrison, with Harrison out for precautionary reasons. From rookies continuing to stand out to other rookies making an unheralded impact, the 2023 Jaguars draft class is already starting to make an impact.

Christian Braswell

Similarly to a week prior, Christian Braswell put together another solid performance. Braswell allowed only one catch on three targets for only 7 yards. While the opposition isn’t the NFL starter that Calvin Ridley or Christian Kirk may be, Braswell’s ability to shut down receivers as a rookie is a great sign.

Between the development of Gregory Junior and the rookie Christian Braswell showing up in the preseason, the Jaguars’ defensive backfield, especially at cornerback, is looking to be quite crowded. Another position group that’ll be crowded in 2023 is the Jaguars receivers.

Brenton Strange

Brenton Strange found his path through his blocking efforts. With Evan Engram signed long term, and the wide receivers garnering the attention from Lawrence in pass reps, Strange needed to do more than just be a receiver for the Jaguars to make his way onto the field in 2023. And with his performance in preseason week 2, he did just that. Brenton Strange dominated as a blocker against the Lions, receiving an 83 run-blocking grade and 74 pass-blocking grade from PFF.

Not only was he performing as a high-level blocking tight end, but Strange also contributed through the air, receiving three passes for 23 yards on four targets. While that number isn’t impressive, those numbers combined with his dominant blocking make the perfect backup tight end, which will be his role in a Doug Pederson run offense that runs two tight end sets at a near league-leading pace.

Parker Washington

Parker Washington, on the other hand, contributed as a receiver and returner in preseason week 2. Washington had only one catch for 15 yards, but that one reception resulted in a touchdown, one that put the Jaguars up 12 to 0 entering the final seconds of the first half.

Jags rookie WR Parker Washington scores the first TD of the game

?: #JAXvsDET on @NFLNetwork
?: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/L9mPiySmuK pic.twitter.com/HfBOYR2xK2

— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2023

This reception might’ve been the only major impact that Washington had on the game, but his productivity shouldn’t be ignored due to a low volume. On the returning side of things, Washington tallied two kick returns for 23 yards a piece, along with three punt returns totaling 21 yards. His role as a returner might not be immediately seen in the NFL with Jamal Agnew ahead of him, but it should be noted that Washington can be a quality returner if needed.

The Running Back Room is Crowded

This is another fantastic problem to have, as the Jaguars have a great group of running backs. Of course, the group is led by Travis Etienne Jr., entering his third NFL season. Etienne should shoulder the majority of the touches at any point on the field, but with the way most running backs are used in the modern era of the NFL, the backups will be able to contribute every week.

The Jaguars will carry at least three running backs on the roster once it’s cut down to 53 players, and after preseason Week 2, the Jaguars should be locked into Etienne and these two other backs: Tank Bigsby and D’Ernest Johnson.

Tank Bigsby was a lock to make the roster thanks to the draft capital spent on him, and so far, through training camp and the preseason, Bigsby has shown his worth. Continuing to pass block well was encouraging to see in preseason week 2 for Bigsby, but the real eye-catching feat was Tank rushing for 70 yards on 13 carries. With his performance, where he showed elite athleticism and great skills avoiding tacklers, Bigsby has earned more confidence in his play entering the 2023 NFL season.

But the less obvious roster spot winner is D’Ernest Johnson. The former Browns running back only ran the ball six times but had 36 yards and two rushing touchdowns in preseason week 2. His impressive performance in preseason week two showed the ability that he had in Cleveland is still present and well worth a roster spot. Johnson and Bigsby are both fantastic backups to have behind Travis Etienne Jr., and in a league like the NFL, where injuries can happen, having talented reserves is incredibly important.

Timely Veteran Emergence

Speaking of reserves, the one group that is already starting to feel some injury luck falling the other way is along the defensive line. DaVon Hamilton was ruled out with a back injury.

Per @JaguarsPR:

“DaVon Hamilton is currently dealing with a non-football related medical issue with his back. At this time, we do not have a timetable on his return. Our medical staff plans to keep us informed on his progress and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”

— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) August 20, 2023

This injury leaves a huge hole to fill along the defensive line, but with the performance in preseason Week 2 by Jeremiah Ledbetter, there’s confidence that the Jaguars will be able to fill the hole fine. In preseason week 2, Ledbetter had an incredible performance, tallying two tackles, three assisted tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. Ledbetter also caused five pressures and hurried the quarterback three times for an overall impressive performance defending the run and pass. His defensive grade from PFF in preseason Week 2 was an astounding 95.2, well ahead of everyone for the highest grade amongst all Jaguars in preseason Week 2.

With Ledbetter dominating along the defensive line, and following the injury to DaVon Hamilton, Ledbetter’s performance will be that much more impactful, with the likelihood that Ledbetter gets the start along the defensive line heading into week one against the Indianapolis Colts.

One Glaring Hole: Special Teams Coverage

This article has looked at the positives, and there are a lot of them, but one of the main negatives from preseason week 2 was the lack of coverage on kickoffs and punts. In preseason week two against the Detroit Lions, the Jaguars gave up 167 return yards total, on only six returns total. That’s an average of 27 yards per return, which is already a bad sign for the Jaguars. But those stats are a bit misleading, as the returns were a lot worse than that.

On the first play of the game, Lions returner Starling Thomas caught the kickoff at the Lions’ 3-yard line and returned it 29 yards to the Lion’s 32-yard line. This return, while the Lions didn’t manage to score on the drive, set the Lions up further downfield and put more pressure on the Jaguars’ defense.

After the Jaguars punted the ball early in the first quarter from the Jacksonville 40, Lions punt returner Chase Cota ran the ball back for 28 yards, setting the Lions up at the Lions’ 42-yard line, which amounts to an 18-yard punt. It was not a great start; back-to-back big returns were given up by the Jaguars’ special teams.

Once the Jaguars scored the first points of the game, the Lions started to immediately threaten a score after Starling Thomas had another large return, this time managing to get to the Lions’ 42-yard line on a 37-yard return.

The next kickoff, Jermar Jefferson had yet another lengthy return to the Lions’ 36-yard line, only this time, there was a flag on the Lions for holding, saving the Jaguars from yet another long return.

Logan Cooke had a beautiful punt to pin the Lions at their six-yard line on a 52-yard punt, but the damage had been done, and the Jaguars had already relinquished much greater field position on nearly every return that the Lions had made in the first half. Fortunately for the Jaguars, that was the end of the large returns, but that begs the question of whether or not these special teams will hold up against some of the best returners in the league come the regular season.

Final Thoughts on Preseason Week 2

Overall, the Jaguars had, once again, another encouraging week. Of course, there were some hurdles, like poor special teams and injuries to important players like DaVon Hamilton and Cooper Hodges, but when looking back at preseason Week 2 the Jaguars have to see progress and positive momentum. Heading into the last preseason game, the Jaguars are set to see more of the starters and begin to finalize the roster decisions.