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Jaguars Roster Reconstruction: Who stays, who goes at linebacker?

Today, we'll focus on the linebacker position.

With the offseason underway, the Jaguars have plenty of tough decisions to make. Throughout our daily "Roster Reconstruction" series, we'll take a look at those key decisions at every position. Today, we'll focus on the linebacker position.

Editor's Note: This series only features players who were on the active roster or injured reserve last season. Future/reserve players will not be included in this series.

PREVIOUSLY ON ROSTER RECONSTRUCTION: Special Teams / Safety / Cornerback

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Telvin Smith

Outlook: The Jaguars' defensive leader signed a multi-year contract extension last season. Smith may be the best 4-3 weak-side linebacker in the league and he has a massive role in the Jaguars' defense. He is a centerpiece as a playmaker.

Kaye's Take (Staying or Going?): He is staying. You can hold on to those No. 50 jerseys, at least until the uniform change takes place in April.

Myles Jack

Outlook: Much like Smith, Jack's athleticism and playmaking ability make him vital to the Jaguars' success on defense. He took a giant leap forward in his three-down linebacker role last season.

Kaye's Take (Staying or Going?): Jack is also staying. If he plays like he did last season, he will be in line for an extension around this time next year.

Paul Posluszny

Outlook: The veteran took on a reduced role in the defense last season and it paid off. He played very well when Smith went down with a concussion for two games.

As a longtime leader and captain, his future will weigh heavier on the organization than most outsiders may think.

Kaye's Take (Staying or Going?): Despite his longevity with the franchise, I expect Posulszny to head elsewhere next season. The Jaguars have a built-in, cheap replacement on the roster in Blair Brown and I'm not sure Posluszny's leadership is as essential as it once was. Along with Smith, Calais Campbell, Barry Church and Malik Jackson have stepped up in leadership roles.

Keeping Posluszny would be a nice gesture. However, the team needs to start building young depth as it looks to spend money on extensions for its internal building blocks. Posluszny served his purpose, filled an important gap and now it's probably time for the team to go in another direction.

Blair Brown

Outlook: Brown is probably in the driver seat for the third starting linebacker gig if Posluszny walks. He played well when asked to take on a bigger role during Smith's two-game absence. He is the only linebacker under contract not named Jack or Smith with regular-season experience on defense heading into free agency.

Kaye's Take (Staying or Going?): Brown is staying and - at worst - will be the fourth linebacker entering training camp. The Jaguars see upside in Brown and rightfully so. He needs to show growth this offseason to nab a larger role.

Lerentee McCray

Outlook: The veteran special teams ace was nominated by Joe DeCamillis as the team's Pro Bowl representative in the third phase. That speaks to how the Jaguars' special teams coordinator views McCray.

Still, McCray may want to play more defense and look for opportunities elsewhere as he is set to become a free agent. He's a local-ish guy, so maybe that plays into his future.

Kaye's Take (Staying or Going?): The Jaguars have an internal replacement for McCray in Donald Payne, if the veteran decides to leave in free agency. I expect him to return on another one-year deal and compete for defensive snaps.

Donald Payne

Outlook: Payne joined the Jaguars after final cuts and was immediately thrown into the fire on special teams. A former small-school safety, Payne had only played linebacker for four months before heading to Jacksonville off waivers.

Due to his inexperience at the position, Payne was limited to special teams duty last season. He made those snaps count, as he led the team in special teams tackles.

Kaye's Take (Staying or Going?): Payne is inexpensive and strong on special teams. Those two qualities are ideal for a backup linebacker in the NFL. He will stay on the roster and will need to show some development on defense to increase his role.

Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.

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