Jaguars Week 9 Rookie Report: Rookie Class Quiet in London
The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5) 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 26-3 loss against the Houston Texans.
DE Josh Allen (Round 1, 7th overall)
Allen, along with the entire defensive line (sans Calais Campbell), was blanked in Sundays loss to the Texans. Credit the oft-maligned Texans’ offensive line for staving off a red-hot Jacksonville defensive front. A favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, Allen enters the bye week tied with Nick Bosa for most sacks among rookies (7).
RT Jawaan Taylor (Round 2, 35th overall)
Amid the occasional blunder, Taylor mostly held his ground. The mammoth right tackle has shown marked consistency over the past month, and looks to have refined his once-choppy footwork and technique that plagued him throughout the early part of the season. The bye week comes at the perfect time, potentially side-stepping the seemingly inevitable rookie wall.
TE Josh Oliver (Round 3, 69th overall)
Oliver played in his third NFL game on Sunday. The athletic tight end played 30 snaps for the second consecutive week, hauling in one reception for four yards. Oliver was narrowly edged out by fellow tight end Seth DeValve (34 snaps), and his increased usage will be something to monitor following the bye week. I suspect he will usurp DeValve as the main tight end when the team heads to Indianapolis.
LB Quincy Williams (Round 3th, 98 overall)
Williams (hamstring) missed his second consecutive contest.
The third-round pick was beginning to gain some traction before the lingering hamstring injury, but he should provide a much-needed reinforcement against the Colts and their dynamic offense.
RB Ryquell Armstead (Round 5, 140th overall)
Playing just 9 snaps, Armstead was remarkably effective in London, tallying five receptions for 65 yards. Not known for his pass-catching ability much at Temple, it was an encouraging sign to see him get looks in the passing game – which could ultimately lead to more snaps in the coming weeks.
QB Gardner Minshew (Round 6, 178th overall)
Minshew struggled in his first game across the pond. His 309-yard passing day can be misleading to the casual observer, as most of his yards were compiled after the game had already been decided.
The first-year signal caller finished 27-of-47 for 309 yards and two interceptions, giving him four on the season. His forgettable day yielded a 57.4 percent completion percentage.
Minshew looked like a rookie in this one. Granted, it’s a big ask of any quarterback to abandon their typical weekly regime – let alone a rookie. He held on to the ball far too long, was indecisive with his reads and reverted back to poor mechanics when under duress.
The Jaguars will have an interesting decision to make at quarterback after the bye, as veteran Nick Foles could force his way back into the picture.
DT Dontavious Russell (Round 7, 235th overall)
The burly defensive tackle was once again inactive for the contest, his seventh healthy scratch in as many weeks. The Jaguars once again looked to recently signed journeyman Akeem Spence to occupy the depth role on Sunday.
Barring injuries or poor play along the defensive line, it’s hard to see Russell factoring into the team’s weekly game plan this season.
RB Devine Ozigbo (UDFA)
The undrafted rookie was active for his first time in two weeks, registering 2 offensive snaps -- but failed to accumulate any stats. The promising ballcarrier previously played minimal snaps on special teams against Carolina and New Orleans before his two weeks on the inactive list.
The six-foot, 222-pound runner was fourth in the pecking order behind Fournette, Armstead and Tyler Ervin, but it was Ervin was got the scratch over the supremely talented Ozigbo.
S Andrew Wingard (UDFA)
After playing 7 defensive snaps last week, Wingard was relegated to special teams duties in London. Fellow reserve safety Cody Davis saw 9 snaps on defense, however.
WR Michael Walker (UDFA)
Promoted from the practice squad on Saturday, Walker made his NFL debut in London. The Boston College alum saw time as the primary return specialist, returning two kicks for 22 yards, and two punts for four yards.
LS Matthew Orzech (UDFA)
The 24-year-old undrafted free agent appeared in his ninth game as the Jaguars’ long snapper.
