Entering mandatory minicamp, this week's Jaguars Mailbag features questions about the wide receiver position, rookies on the rise and D.J. Hayden's development.
Dylan Goldman asks: As of now, what do you think the wide receiver depth chart looks like this year?
Mike Kaye: As of right now, here is how I view the top eight wide receivers stacking up:
1) Donte Moncrief
2) Marqise Lee
3) Keelan Cole
4) Dede Westbrook
5) DJ Chark
6) Rashad Greene
7) Shane Wynn
8) Jaydon Mickens
The Jaguars are likely to keep six wide receivers on the active roster with the sixth player serving as the team's punt returner. The battle - right now - for that sixth spot seems to be between Greene, Wynn and Mickens. However, there's still a chance Chark or Lee wins the punt returner job and the Jaguars keep a receiver with a unique skillset like undrafted red-zone target Allen Lazard.
Still, the top eight made plays day in and day out during organized team activities and the rest of the group has been kind of quiet.
Outside of the sixth spot, Moncrief and Lee make the most sense as starters on the outside. Cole is seemingly best fit for the slot receiver job. Chark and Westbrook are excellent rotational options behind Moncrief and Lee, respectively.
Once again, the Jaguars have an offseason roster stacked with talented wide receivers.
@Datboyjnice asks: Which rookie do you think has the strongest chance to unseat a vet for a starting spot?
MK: Technically, punter Logan Cooke is a rookie destined for a starting spot with no competition at his position right now. The Jaguars released veteran Brad Nortman just days after selecting Cooke in April's NFL Draft.
That's not a fun answer so let's make things a bit more difficult. As of right now, I don't see the top three picks winning starting jobs unless there are injuries during training camp.
Calais Campbell and Malik Jackson are entrenched at the positions that Taven Bryan would play, the Jaguars seemingly want Chark to feel out his roles on offense and special teams and Barry Church was called the "quarterback of the secondary" last week, so Ronnie Harrison's stint as the starting strong safety is likely to wait.
While some have pegged fourth-round pick Will Richardson as a potential starter at right guard, I would be surprised to see him pushed into the starting lineup with a new position. I believe he will compete for the swing tackle gig during training camp.
The only other draft picks are quarterback Tanner Lee and linebacker Leon Jacobs. Lee has a ways to go before he can unseat backup Cody Kessler, let alone even touch Blake Bortles as a starter. Jacobs, though, has maybe the most realistic route to a starting job.
Though it's been hard to get a feel for the linebacker group with a lack of contact during workouts, Jacobs should seemingly be in the mix to compete with Blair Brown for the strong-side job. If Brown stumbles during minicamp and the early days of training camp, Jacobs could have an opportunity.
None of the picks - outside of Cooke - seem poised to earn a starting job by Week 1 but Jacobs probably has the most realistic opportunity of the group. The undrafted bunch seems to be a bit behind in the standout department as of now.
Paul Martin asks: How is D.J. Hayden doing and will he be a good replacement for Aaron Colvin?
MK: Hayden has inspired some confidence as of late with a few pass breakups. The Jaguars have publicly praised Hayden's man coverage skills but still feel he needs to improve in zone coverage.
Colvin will be a tough guy to replace because while he gave up a lot of catches, he was able to limit the damage of being constantly targeted opposite A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey. Like Colvin, Hayden isn't known for producing interceptions but he has shown better ball skills during his career than his predecessor.
Hayden rarely played at nickel during his one year in Detroit. The coaching staff is hoping he can get back his slot mojo from his Oakland days. So far, he hasn't stood out in a major way but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.