Jaguars Week 6 Rookie Report: Josh Allen and Andrew Wingard Flash in Loss to Saints
The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4) have gotten significant contributions from this year’s crop of draft picks – varying from starters to key role players. Let’s take a look at how the Jaguars stars of the future fared in Sunday’s 13-7 loss the New Orleans Saints .
DE Josh Allen (Round 1, 7th overall)
On the heels of an impressive Week 5 outing against the Carolina Panthers, the seventh-overall picked up where he left off. In 38 snaps, the hybrid DE/LB registered two sacks and a key sack on Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater, giving him four six games into his rookie campaign.
RT Jawaan Taylor (Round 2, 35th overall)
While the Jacksonville offensive line played better as a whole, Taylor struggled against Cam Jordan, surrendering the unit’s only two sacks of the afternoon. Despite his struggles, Taylor continues to show signs of positive growth. He probably should have received some help against Jordan, who is one of the premier pass rushers in the game.
The team has to take the good with the bad when assessing Taylor’s performance. Giving him time to work through his struggles on the field will only help him from a developmental standpoint moving forward.
TE Josh Oliver (Round 3, 69th overall)
Oliver (hamstring) was inactive for the Week 6 clash. With James O’Shaughnessy out for the season, the team needs a healthy Oliver to occupy some of his snaps and act as a security blanket for their young quarterback.
LB Quincy Williams (Round 3th, 98 overall)
Williams was replaced in the starting lineup with veteran LB Najee Goode. Goode played well in his first start of the season, amassing six tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss.
After struggling in coverage last week against Carolina, Jaguars DC Todd Wash opted to insert the eight-year veteran in place of his floundering rookie. At this point in the season, Williams is better served to be special teams contributor, while he gradually adjusts to playing linebacker in the NFL.
RB Ryquell Armstead (Round 5, 140th overall)
As expected, the lions share of the carries belonged to Leonard Fournette. Playing just two offensive snaps, Armstead received just a single carry – for one yard. Though he his firmly entrenched as Fournette’s backup, expect to see more of the same from the Jaguars backfield. A downhill power runner, Fournette is the type of running backs that needs volume to get into a rhythm, so 18-20 carries will likely be dedicated to him each week.
QB Gardner Minshew (Round 6, 178th overall)
As we discussed in our staff predictions on Saturday, it appeared as through Minshew hit the rookie wall a tad earlier than we anticipated.
The Saints did a tremendous job disguising their coverages, puzzling the sixth-rounder from the very first series. Despite surrendering over 100 yards a game to opposing running backs, the Jaguars struggled to get Fournette going (20-72-0) against a porous Saints front.
Also factoring into their offensive struggles, Minshew’s top target, D.J. Chark, spent the afternoon guarded by the rapidly ascending Marshon Lattimore. He could only muster 43 yards on three receptions.
A date with the Cincinnati Bengals next week should help the offense redirect its course.
DT Dontavious Russell (Round 7, 235th overall)
The burly defensive tackle was once again inactive for the contest, his fourth healthy scratch in as many weeks. Barring injuries along the defensive line, it’s hard to see Russell factoring into the team’s weekly game plan.
RB Devine Ozigbo (UDFA)
The undrafted rookie was active for his second NFL game, but failed to record any offensive statistics. With the majority of the carries going to Fournette – and a couple to Armstead – Ozigbo will likely be relegated to special teams duty as a rookie.
The six-foot, 222-pound runner was one of my favorite running back prospects in the NFL Draft, as his unique blend of patience, balance, power and finesse should translate into future success in the NFL.
S Andrew Wingard (UDFA)
Aside from 2 defensive snaps, Wingard was once again a standout performer on special teams, notching two stops on the afternoon. It will be interesting to see if he’s able to etch out a long-term -- albeit small -- role on defense as the season progresses.
Though early in the season, he is quietly making a case for Pro Bowl consideration as a special teams performer.
LS Matthew Orzech (UDFA)
The 24-year-old undrafted free agent appeared in his sixth game as the Jaguars’ long snapper.
