Jaguars Training Camp: 5 Position Battles to Watch

Football is almost back.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will kick off training camp at the Miller Electric Center on Wednesday, the start of a new era for the Jaguars' onsite facilities and the next chapter in the story of Doug Pederson and Trevor Lawrence.

Each year, training camps bring important developments from players of all experiences. Rookies are thrust into position battles, while veterans battle for dwindling spots on the 53-man roster.

Which training camp position battles are worth keeping an eye on in Jacksonville? We break down a few below.

Snoop Conner vs. D'Ernest Johnson

The Jaguars made sure to stock up at running back this offseason, re-signing JaMycal Hasty -- year's No. 2 back -- while also signing free-agent running back D'Ernest Johnson and drafting rookie Tank Bigsby in the third round. Bigsby and Hasty seem like locks to join starting running back Travis Etienne on the roster, which then leaves questions for Johnson and second-year pro Snoop Conner.

The Jaguars traded up in the fifth-round to select Conner last year, but the Ole Miss product spent the year mostly on the sidelines. He recorded just 12 carries and played 38 snaps the entire year, with none of those coming on special teams. Johnson, meanwhile, is a career-backup who has flashed plenty of talent on offense. Where he really shines, though, is special teams. Since this is a battle for the No. 4 running back spot, special teams very well could decide who wins.

Ventrell Miller vs. Shaquille Quarterman vs. Caleb Johnson

The Jaguars know who their top three inside linebackers are. Foyesade Oluokun led the NFL in tackles last year and is arguably the most respected player on the Jaguars' defense, while second-year linebackers Devin Lloyd and Chad Muma will obviously play roles on the defense. That leaves the question of the linebacker spots behind them, two spots that were manned last year by veterans Shaquille Quarterman and Caleb Johnson.

Both Quarterman and Johnson flashed last year; Quarterman's forced fumble on Derrick Henry was one of the biggest plays of the season and Johnson was a special teams ace. Now, though, a fourth-round rookie has been thrown into the mix in Ventrell Miller, a player the Jaguars attempted to trade up for. Miller has a lot of catching up to do after missing the offseason program with a foot injury, but the Jaguars will have a decision to make eventually.

Antonio Johnson vs. Daniel Thomas

The Jaguars' first three safety spots are more or less locked in before training camp. Rayshawn Jenkins and Andre Cisco are going to start, while Andrew Wingard is the team's No. 3 safety and will be the first man up if the Jaguars see any injuries at the position. That leaves the No. 4 spot up in the air, with fourth-year veteran and long-time No. 4 safety/special teams ace Daniel Thomas set to duke it out with fifth-round pick Antonio Johnson.

Johnson could see potential snaps in the slot against specific formations, but his true role in the defense will be as a thumping safety. He seems like a natural long-term replacement for Jenkins, but training camp will determine exactly what his role as a rookie will be -- whether it is on defense or special teams.

Tyler Shatley vs. Ben Bartch

The Jaguars placed Ben Bartch on the Active/PUP list a few days ago, so it looks like veteran guard/center Tyler Shatley will start off camp as the starter at left guard. Bartch is just one year removed from beating Shatley for the same role in camp, though, so it would make sense for the Jaguars to give him a crack at the job when he is cleared to practice.

The interesting wrinkle could be how much time Walker Little sees at left guard. Little will take a last majority of his reps at left tackle as he prepares to open the season as the Jaguars' blindside starter during Cam Robinson's suspension, but the Jaguars could move him around in efforts to determine if left guard is his best role when Robinson returns.

Jordan Smith vs. Yasir Abdullah vs. K'Lavon Chaisson `

The Jaguars made an important move for their pass-rush last week when they re-signed free-agent defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot, but training camp will be an important time for the rest of the unit considering Smoot's Achilles injury. With the Jaguars appearing unlikely to add another pass-rusher in free-agency, it will come down to former first-round pick K'Lavon Chaisson, former fourth-round pick Jordan Smith and rookie pass-rusher Yasir Abdullah to pick up the slack.

Chaisson is far and away the favorite to be the Jaguars' No. 3 pass-rusher behind Josh Allen and Travon Walker, but he hasn't produced in his first three NFL seasons and will have a lot of heat on him to step it up in 2023. If he doesn't perform in camp, Smith and Abdullah will be nipping at his heels.