Jaguars Face Receiver Shuffle Ahead of Roster Cutdown Deadline

Jaguars Face Receiver Shuffle Ahead of Roster Cutdown Deadline

The Jacksonville Jaguars are ramping up their efforts to solidify their wide receiver lineup as the clock ticks down to cutdown day. As of August 24, 2025, the team recently let go of Joshua Cephus, a sophomore wideout, leaving a vital spot open ahead of the season. With the Jaguars’ focus on enhancing their receiving corps, they even inquired about Devaughn Vele, who ultimately signed with the New Orleans Saints. This proactive approach suggests that the Jaguars are not content to stand pat and are open to trades or scouring the waiver wire for fresh talent.

According to Black and Teal, Sports Illustrated’s projections indicate that the Jaguars are likely to retain five wide receivers on their final roster. The names falling into place include Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, Dyami Brown, and Parker Washington. The fifth position, however, remains hotly contested between Trent Irwin and Eli Pancol, a rookie who may find himself better suited for the practice squad.

Fighting for Survival

John Shipley, a notable analyst, expressed some uncertainty about Irwin’s future with the team, highlighting that while he had a rough preseason with only six receptions from ten targets—including a drop—Austin Trammell has shown commendable performance in training camp. Yet, some suggest that Trammell’s skills could be seen as redundant given the team’s existing depth.

With the deadline of 4 p.m. EST on August 26 to finalize the roster looming, it’s clear the Jaguars aren’t just going to sit back and let things unfold. In what promises to be a strategic maneuver, expect more moves as general manager James Gladstone seeks to bolster not just the receiver position, but various aspects of the team’s depth chart.

Looking Ahead

Big Cat Country lists a few crucial aspects of the Jaguars’ impending cuts, projecting the roster could include marquee names like Trevor Lawrence and Nick Mullens as quarterbacks, and running backs like Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby. The tight end group is expected to feature Brenton Strange and Hunter Long, alongside a solid offensive line anchored by veterans such as Walker Little and Ezra Cleveland.

However, the spotlight remains on the wide receivers. Fans may have their eyes peeled on the competition between Irwin and Pancol. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the NFL preseason’s third week has wound down and all 32 teams are scrambling to iron out their rosters. With the Jaguars‘ recent struggles against the Dolphins, who managed to edge them out 14-6, it remains critical for the franchise to optimize their offensive output. This will not just help the team, but could be pivotal for individual careers as well.

There’s no denying the Jaguars have a solid foundation. Yet, as the season approaches, the pressure to deepen that core while making tough decisions increases. As the pieces fall into place, Jacksonville’s fans wait with bated breath to see how these final roster spots will shake out.