Skip to main content
Jaguar Report

Jaguars Mailbag: What We Have Seen From the RBs, Parker Washington and More

In this week's mailbag, we take a look at the latest from Jacksonville Jaguars training camp, with a focus on the backfield battle and Travis Hunter.
John Shipley|
Jacksonville Jaguars Running Back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (24) carries the ball during the fourth day of NFL Training Camp in shells at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville Jaguars Running Back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (24) carries the ball during the fourth day of NFL Training Camp in shells at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

In this story:

Jacksonville Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- We are quickly approaching double-digit practices for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and there have been quite a few key developments in the process.

In this week's Jaguars Mailbag, we take a look at several of those developments, ranging from Travis Hunter's usage to our ideas for the backfield split between Bhayshul Tuten and a quickly impressing Chris Rodriguez Jr.

A: I think what you saw today during the scrimmage makes sense. Tuten got a lot of work between the 20s, Chris Rodriguez Jr. got most, if not all, of the goal-line type reps, and LeQuint Allen was the clear third-down back. It is similar to what the Jaguars' backfield played out as last year, thought I would expect Tuten/Rodriguez to be much closer in terms of touches and snaps than Etienne/Tuten ever were last season. The more information we get on the running back roo, it seems like the more questions pop up about its future.

A: I will be very frank: I think he has had the best reps at right guard of anyone this season. He started games at guard last year and held his own, so I do not think it is out of the complete range of outcomes for him to somehow win some snaps at the spot. Perhaps that says more about the other options, but he has impressed there.

A: Cornerback Devon Marshall has had some nice coverage reps over the last week, including a few against Travis Hunter. It has been relatively quiet for the undrafted free agents (as expected) but Marshall is one who has caught my eye. At this time, however, I do think he is still a long-shot for the roster.

A: I will be perfectly honest and say I have no idea of what happens at righr guard. Wyatt Milum has not done enough at guard yet to outright win the job, while the timeline on Patrick Mekari has gotten zero real update. I can't predict who will win the job if I do not know if one of the options will ever join the race or not.

A: Great question, and I think you could be onto something. Oluokun is still dynamic against the run, but Combs has had the best coverage ability -- by far -- of any Jaguars linebacker in camp. He deserves some looks in nickel downs, even if he doesn't win the job.

A: Josh Cameron, with CJ Williams and Zach Durfee as honorable mentions. Add in some nice moents from Jalen Huskey and I think this year's rookie class is so far outpacing what we saw at the same stage with the 2025 draft class.

A: Very high. I do not think it is ever smart to say 100% to questions like these, but my number would be somewhere in the 90%s. I believe the Jaguars know just how valuable both players are and how critical each is to their offensive success. The Jaguars have not let a single player like that leave since Liam Coen and James Gladstone were hired, and I do not expect that to change this year with Harrison and Washington. I think each gets a deal done at some point.

A: I am very high on Emmanuel Pregnon's upside at guard, but he very much has looked like a rookie thus far. I think he is at least another way for really fighting for a Week 1 starting spot, and I would be surprised if Ezra Cleveland does not start each game that he is healthy for. Milum has taken snaps at both right guard and right tackle and has mixed-results at both spots, but the Jaguars still may not have any option other than to hope he is ready.

A: Offensive line or linebacker. They did just add a veteran journeyman at both spots as a camp body, but they are dropping like flies. After Friday's practice, the Jaguars had the following OL banged up: Cole Van Lanen, Walker Little, Wyatt Milum, Patrick Mekari, Chuma Edoga, and Emmanuel Pregnon. It is getting a bit spooky for the Jaguars along the offensive line.

As for the second part of your question, I will go with third-year defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro. He has had some really flashy moments over the first eight practices of training camp.

A: Training camp is never really a time where nose tackles are going to pop off and have that many highlight plays. There most important work comes when I’ve had come on and when the team does running-based drills during 11-on-11 team periods. With that said, Regis has looked like a strong run defender thus far in training camp. He isn’t living in the offense’s backfield, but he has tethered himself to DaVon Hamilton and has held his ground for the most part. 

A: The one thing I am beyond certain of is that Antonio Johnson will be starting in one of the safety spots. The Jaguars seem genuinely all-in on him as a key piece to their secondary, and I think he is going to play nearly every snap this season as long as he is healthy each week. I believe Eric Murray is in line to be the starter opposite of him, but I will say that Caleb Ransaw has had a nice camp.

I think Ransaw could ultimately push Murray if he continues to stack days and gives the Jaguars some good performances during joint practices over the next few weeks. No matter what the starting duo is, though, I expect all three safeties to play enough to be considered full-time players. 

A: I think it is real. Zach Durfee has been one of the most impressive rookies in training camp in my eyes, and it seems like he is consistently making plays in team drills whether it is against the run or as a pass-rusher. The real test will come when the Jaguars line up against opponents, but I do think he has looked legit so far.

As for whether he can be a "threat" to Danny Striggow or B.J. Green, I am not sure I am going tk go that direction. I think the way the Jaguars have structured their defensive end room means there is plenty of room for all three defensive ends to not just make the roster, but to also see the field at some point or another.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Published
John Shipley
JOHN SHIPLEY

John Shipley has been covering the Jacksonville Jaguars as a beat reporter and publisher of Jaguar Report since 2019. Previously, he covered UCF's undefeated season as a beat reporter for NSM.Today, covered high school prep sports in Central Florida, and covered local sports and news for the Palatka Daily News. Follow John Shipley on Twitter at @_john_shipley.

Share on XFollow _john_shipley