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Five Jaguars players on the roster bubble who need to stand out during OTAs

For depth players returning from injury or subpar seasons, strong performances during OTAs can go a long way in re-establishing their talent.

The Jaguars will kick off the organized team activities (OTAs) phase of their offseason program on Tuesday. The set of 10 practices are voluntary for veterans but could make-or-break several tenured players' opportunities at roster spots entering training camp.

For depth players returning from injury or subpar seasons, strong performances during OTAs can go a long way in re-establishing their talent. The Jaguars have five notable players currently on the roster bubble who need to stand out or step aside for the team's newly acquired talent.

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Eli Ankou

The second-year defensive tackle was claimed off waivers prior to Week 1 of last season. With the Jaguars lacking a true backup nose tackle, Ankou was immediately shifted into the rotation without a Jacksonville offseason under his belt. Ankou was active for the first eight games of the season but became a healthy scratch after the team acquired Marcell Dareus from the Buffalo Bills.

Ankou finds himself squarely on the roster bubble as the defensive tackle group is stacked. Not only has Dareus established himself in the lineup but Abry Jones is a starting-caliber player as well. The team also spent their top draft pick on Florida defensive tackle Taven Bryan, who plays three-technique but could impact the defensive line numbers in general. Ankou needs to impress in a big way this offseason.

Mike Bennett

The former sixth-round pick finds himself in a similar position to Ankou. Bennett has played just one game over the last two seasons due to injury, causing him to slide down the depth chart. The Bryan pick was a tough blow to Bennett's chances of making the roster, as the two play similar positions and the rookie is a lock to make the team.

Adding to Bennett's plight is his lack of size. Since hiring defensive line coach Marion Hobby last season, the Jaguars have favored adding taller and leaner defensive tackles. Along with undrafted rookie Michael Hughes, Bennett is the shortest defensive tackle on the roster at 6-foot-2. He is also the lightest of the group at 287 pounds.

Could Bennett suffer from the same issues that plagued former Jaguars defensive tackle Sheldon Day before he was released last year? Bennett and Day are similar talents and the latter struggled to get on the field before his inevitable departure. Bennett needs to show his talent remains - despite the recent injury woes - and that his ability is more important than his measurables.

Rashad Greene

The Florida State alum hasn't been able to catch a break (or a pass) since 2016. Greene has dealt with injuries since entering the league and his 5.2 yards per catch average is among the lowest marks for a wide receiver over the last three years.

The Jaguars have continued to add solid wide receiver talent over the last two years, pushing Greene down to the dumps of the depth chart. He was held out of action throughout all of last year, allowing then-rookies, Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole, to steal the spotlight. While Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson are gone, Donte Moncrief and DJ Chark have effectively taken over their spots in the lineup.

It's going to be a tremendous uphill climb for a roster spot for Greene, so he will need to make an impact early on in the offseason program.

Chris Reed

The Jaguars have kept Reed around for a while. He has been part of the active roster and/or practice squad for three years but has never really had a solid footing with playing time. The Jaguars added Andrew Norwell, Will Richardson and a pair of undrafted offensive linemen to the mix this offseason. The offseason acquisitions could stand in Reed's way during his fourth offseason in Jacksonville.

Reed offers versatility as he can play both guard spots and center. His ability to play multiple positions has been his saving grace but with new blood in town, that may not really matter. Reed failed to make the main roster out of training camp last year and he could face a similar fate this season. In order to avoid another practice squad stint, Reed will have to establish himself as a notable backup guard or center this offseason.

Jalen Myrick

Last year's seventh-round pick shined at times during his rookie season. While he wasn't given a boatload of opportunities, he did flash in a few instances. He will need to do more than just flash in his second year to stick around. The Jaguars replaced Aaron Colvin with D.J. Hayden during free agency and brought in a trio of notable undrafted cornerbacks as well this offseason.

Myrick could appeal to the team as a kick returner, offering him a chance to shine away from the defense. If he can earn the return job, he will have the opportunity to get more seasoning on defense. Among the fastest guys on the team, Myrick will need to find a way to use his quickness to his advantage. He will compete with the likes of Tyler Patmon, Don Carey, Dee Delaney, Quenton Meeks and Tre Herndon during OTAs and training camp.

Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.

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