Projecting the Florida Gators 2019 offensive depth chart

Before the official two-deep depth chart is released this week for Florida's season opener against the Miami Hurricanes in Orlando on Saturday, GatorMaven will attempt to predict what it will look like come kickoff.

We'll start with the Gators offense, and follow with defensive projections later on Monday.

This projection doesn't take injuries into effect. It won't be limited to going two-deep at each position, and will in some cases elaborate on specific roles for players across the roster.

Quarterback

1. Feleipe Franks

2. Kyle Trask

Special packages: Emory Jones

There's no question, Feleipe Franks owns the keys to the Florida Gators' offense. Following his significant improvement under head coach Dan Mullen to cap off the 2018 season, as well as through spring and fall camp, the Gators are confident that the redshirt junior will be poised and consistent going forward.

There are questions to be had behind Franks, though. Emory Jones is considered the future at the position when Franks' time at Florida comes to an end, but is he ready to step in and start now if things go south for Franks?

Jones has split No. 2 reps with seasoned backup Kyle Trask, who has relieved Franks when he has struggled in the past. It's safe to assume his experience would be utilized should Franks go out from an injury, but perhaps Jones could factor in if Franks struggles throughout the year to change the pace. We should see Jones in certain packages this year even with Franks starting.

Running back

1. Lamical Perine

2. Dameon Pierce

3rd down back: Malik Davis

Perine is the clear-cut leader of this group following a breakout 2018 campaign, which has led to his spot on the Doak Walker Award watch list for the nation's best running back. But, expect much of the same from the RB corps. as head coach Dan Mullen has shown in the past: His preference to run by committee.

Expect Perine and Pierce to be the offense's "1-2 punch" at running back this year, with a similar style to the Perine/Jordan Scarlett combo of 2018. Pierce has a similar bruising, physical rushing style to Scarlett's, with improving top-speed and elusiveness. He's due for an uptick in usage following 424 yards on 69 carries last season.

Malik Davis is back and has recovered from his back-to-back lower-body season-ending injuries in 2017 and 2018. But considering his lack of injury luck, Davis should be eased into his role in 2019. His speed and agility are game-changing, which can be utilized on 3rd downs for draw plays and in the passing game.

Wide receiver

X-WR: Trevon Grimes

2. Tyrie Cleveland

Z-WR: Van Jefferson

2. Jacob Copeland

Y-WR (first slot): Josh Hammond

2. Freddie Swain

Utility: Kadarius Toney

2. Jacob Copeland

Tight end Kyle Pitts will also receive playing time at wide receiver, both outside and as a "big slot".

The wide receiver position isn't only the Gators' strongest unit across their rosters, but arguably the deepest receiver corps in the nation.

Grimes stands at X-WR for his ability to play in isolation, contesting catches and as a deep threat given his blend of size and athleticism. Jefferson and Hammond are the strong-side pair at Z/Y, with route running prowess that can help scheme the pair open. The "utility" position can be a slot in all formations, as well as a player who can flex into the backfield to receive carries.

Despite their labels above, there's an expectation that every receiver in the room can play each position. There will be times where Van Jefferson lines up in the slot. There will be times where Freddie Swain goes outside. There will be times where a tight ends play receiver (mainly Kyle Pitts).

But this versatility furthers just how special the unit is, and each player has a unique, polished skill. Jefferson's route running, Grimes' contested-catch finesse, Hammond's sure-hands, Toney's burst, Copeland's smooth agility - it's a crazy talented group. And in four/five-wide sets, Florida will find ways to incorporate each player listed.

Tight end

In-line TE: Kemore Gamble

H-back: Lucas Krull

Big slot TE: Kyle Pitts

The Florida Gators' tight end group, much like the two previous skill positions, is filled with talent. Unlike the previous two positions, however, the TE group doesn't have a proven commodity - this bunch is all potential.

Gamble is your traditional in-line tight end, who will make a difference as a blocker in the run game and also be a factor in the short passing game. Krull is the utility of the group, who possesses unique athletic ability for a player of his size. His development going into 2019 is going to be under the microscope - he's confident he can play in-line, H-back, and "big slot" seamlessly - will that hold true?

As for Pitts, as mentioned above he has done a lot of work at receiver. He can be considered the true "big slot" of the group as that should be where he primarily lines up. That position will create matchup nightmares in the middle of the field.

Offensive line

Left tackle: Stone Forsythe

2. Richard Gouraige

Left guard: Brett Heggie

2. Ethan White

Center: Nick Buchanan

2. Tanner Rowell

3. Kingsley Eguakun

Right guard: Chris Bleich

2. T.J. Moore

Right tackle: Jean Delance

2. Michael Tarquin

The offensive line depth took a huge hit when it lost Noah Banks due to his medical retirement. He was the next man up at both guard spots and had positional flexibility, so losing him when the unit is already one of the biggest question marks on the roster hurts a lot.

The Gators are confident in their starting five on the OL, a lineup that hasn't changed since it formed in spring camp. However, if any players go out with an injury, we could see a shakeup rather than simply plugging-and-playing.

Delance reportedly went down with an injury last week in practice - the buzz is that the injury is minor and that he should play against Miami, but this allowed Florida to test how they'd utilize their depth. In this situation, Forsythe moved to right tackle and Gouraige stepped up on the left side, rather than throwing the true freshman Tarquin into action this early.

True freshman Kingsley Eguakun has taken some tackle reps as well, according to a source, as Florida looks to develop utility guys following the loss of Banks. From a traditional depth chart perspective, Florida is two-deep across the OL. But the depth as a whole has very little experience, with true freshmen serving as the next man up at two positions and just four games played by the unit as a whole.