Jacksonville Jaguars 53-man roster prediction entering preseason's final week

As the Jaguars enter the final week of the preseason, and with their week 1 clash with the Chiefs fast approaching, they are preparing to make their final judgments on the roster. Much of the roster has long been decided, but head coach Doug Marrone and the rest of the team brass will have to make tough decisions on who fills out the roster.

Some of the toughest predictions to make for this year's Jaguars roster are at the wide receiver and defensive back positions, while other positions like quarterback appear to be wrapped up. So, who will or will not make the Jaguars' 53-man roster? Here are the JaguarMaven predictions.

Quarterback (3): Nick Foles, Gardner Minshew, Alex McGough

The Jaguars' coaching staff has made it clear all training camp how they feel about Minshew, and his strong play in the second and third weeks of the preseason has more or less reaffirmed that belief. While Minshew has the backup job firmly locked up, it is hard to feel comfortable with the only player sitting behind Foles to be a rookie, so Alex McGough may still have a shot to make the roster.

Running back (4): Leonard Fournette, Alfred Blue, Ryquell Armstead, Thomas Rawls

All in all, this group is not too impressive on paper, but there is nobody else really competing with any of them for a spot on the roster. Devante Mays has not made an impact and Elijah Hood was added just recently. This could be a spot where the Jaguars pounce on a player after other team's cuts, because they could use a true pass-catching running back.

Wide receiver (6): Dede Westbrook, Chris Conley, D.J. Chark, Marqise Lee, Tre McBride, Keelan Cole

This was a tough one to call because leaving off Terrelle Pryor wasn't easy. Pryor had run with the starting offense and Foles at times early on in camp, but he has failed to make a large impact in the preseason outside of his one-handed catch against the Miami Dolphins. Cole could be a cut as well, but his special teams contributions might keep him around.

Tight end (4): Geoff Swaim, Josh Oliver, James O'Shaughnessy, Ben Koyack

Two of the three players here, Swaim and Oliver, are currently nursing injuries, though neither seems extreme enough to cause them to miss multiple games. Koyack is a veteran reserve who the team knows well, so with the top two players on the depth chart injured, he should be safe.

Offensive line (9): Cam Robinson, Andrew Norwell, Brandon Linder, A.J. Cann, Jawaan Taylor, Will Richardson, Cedric Ogbuehi, Tyler Shatley, Josh Wells

A.J. Cann or Will Richardson seems to have the top reserve lineman spot locked down as they are both vying to start at right guard, but have also played elsewhere along the line during the preseason. Ogbuehi left Thursday's game with a hamstring injury, but coach Doug Marrone said he is day-to-day and should be fine.

Defensive end (5): Yannick Ngakoue, Josh Allen, Calais Campbell, Dawuane Smoot, Lerentee McCray

Smoot has played himself onto this roster. He has shown too much for the team to cut him now, and Doug Marrone practically acknowledged as much Sunday. McCray is the backup edge rusher behind Ngakoue and Allen, a role he has performed well in.

Defensive tackle (5): Marcell Dareus, Taven Bryan, Abry Jones, Datone Jones, Eli Ankou

Leaving Dontavius Russell off the roster is hard, but they might be able to keep him around on the practice squad. Either way, deciding between him or Ankou, who has shown he can be a capable reserve nose tackle in this scheme, is a tough call. Jones has done well enough to play himself on the roster as an interior pass rusher.

Linebacker (5): Myles Jack, Quincy Williams, Leon Jacobs, Najee Goode, D.J. Alexander

The first four linebacker spots seem locked up between the three starters and Goode, who will start at weakside linebacker if Williams misses any time. Alexander seems to be fighting Joe Giles-Harris for the final roster spot, and each impressed against the Dolphins. That one will be one of the toughest calls on the roster.

Cornerback (6): Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, D.J. Hayden, Tre Herndon, Breon Borders, Tae Hayes

Judging simply by preseason reps, Borders seems to be a safe bet to have the fifth cornerback job locked up. Hayes is battling Josh Robinson and Brandon Watson since Quenton Meeks has disappointed. Hayes gets the nod here because he has been around the ball constantly in the exhibition games.

Free safety (2): Jarrod Wilson, Cody Davis

Josh Robinson has shown proficient enough special teams ability to make him a tough cut but ultimately predicting the Jaguars to roll with four safeties instead of five. Davis is a special teams leader and has played well in the base defense during the preseason.

Strong safety (2): Ronnie Harrison, C.J. Reavis

Reavis is essentially the team's third safety after strong performances against the Baltimore Ravens and Dolphins. He played poorly in week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the second-year player has flashed start traits.

Special teams (3): Kicker Josh Lambo, punter Logan Cooke, long snapper Matt Overton

This one is open and shut, though it is worth noting Cooke has had a strong preseason after an up and down rookie season, as he has placed 13 of his 20 punts inside the 20.