This is part five of my six article breakdown of the Jaguars roster based on performance, statistics and the all important eyeball test.

Well, we're coming down to the home stretch. So far I've been able to stay relatively positive in my assessment of each group, but that's about to end right now. With only the linebacking corps and secondary left to review, expect some negative feedback. It's not because I'm a downer, or a hater or anything like that, it's simply because the Jaguars lack talent at the linebacker position in a big way. Depth is terrible, starters are inconsistent and... well, just click the jump and you'll see.

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As our own, Jonathan Loesche, pointed out earlier in the week, the Jaguars offensive line in 2009 was ranked as the 23rd best line in the NFL by ProFootballFocus.com. Hope remains that the two starting tackles will see some growth in their second year and that the line will play better than 2009, which can only be described as less than satisfactory. Along with a desire for stronger line play in the future is a strong need for depth moving forward. The releasing of Tra Thomas further emphasized a youth movement by Gene Smith and that leaves room for another young player to fill that void. Among the candidates to fill the spot is undrafted rookie, Daniel Baldridge.

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Continuing on our profiling of all the rookies for the 2010 Jaguars, Roren Thomas is the next subject in line. Among a crowded wide receiver corps, Thomas will have to fight hard to beat out the likes of Tiquan Underwood, Nate Hughes, Troy Williamson, Clarence Denmark, Jason Harmon, Chris McGaha and Kassim Osgood to earn a roster spot at receiver. Where he may have the opportunity to compete for a roster spot is at the kick return spot, where he dominated while at Lindenwood.

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Back in February, March and early-April, when mock drafters were in a frenzy, many thought that John Estes would be a late round pick. There were also quite a few who thought that the Jaguars could be a potential landing spot for the Hawaii center. Instead he watched 7 rounds go by without his name called. Although that may have been a blessing in disguise as he got the opportunity to choose to go to Jacksonville where he may have an opportunity to compete. 

The interior line issues of the Jaguars have been well documented here on BCC. The recent addition of Justin Smiley looks to potentially help the problem, but it is far from fixed. If Smiley remains healthy and plays above what is expected of him, the opportunity to move Uche Nwaneri to center as a replacement for the declining Brad Meester would be available, but the question remains as to whether or not Nwaneri could make the transition effectively. What this all boils down to is uncertainty at the center position with no clear replacement for Meester in place. For these reasons, Estes will have a legitimate opportunity to prove himself in training camp as worthy of a roster spot.

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With the news that Rashean Mathis is unhappy with his contract, the depth of the cornerback position has been brought into discussion. In all likelihood Mathis will return to practices soon and will play the 2010 season, but how much longer after that is indefinite.

The Jaguars traded away a 2nd round pick for the opportunity to draft Derek Cox in the 2009 draft and the initial returns appear to be worth the price as most fans expect Cox to be the starting corner for years to come. Beyond the starting duo of Mathis and Cox, the remaining cornerback spots are completely up in the air with Don Carey and Scott Starks as the frontrunners for the nickelback spot. The opportunity is there for an undrafted rookie like Josh Gordy to play well and earn himself a spot on the final roster.

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In 2007, the Jaguars made a questionable move by drafting a punter, Adam Podlesh, with their 4th round selection at 101st overall. Although Podlesh hasn't been terrible for Jacksonville, he's certainly been disappointing considering his draft selection. He's finished 21st, 22nd and 15th in net punting average in his three years in the league. He's improved slightly over the years, but unless a lot of improvement has yet to come, Podlesh is only a middle-of-the-pack punter. His average performance doesn't appear to be good enough for Gene Smith and company. The Jaguars didn't choose to address the position in the draft, but they did bring in some competition for Podlesh.

The Jaguars invited Iowa State punter Mike Brandter to camp as a workout player and signed Fresno State punter Robert Malone. Are these players legitimate contenders for the Jaguars punting job, or are they just meant to bring competition and push Podlesh to perform better? 

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Very few, if any, would argue that Ernest Wilford is a lock for a roster spot in 2010. The former receiver turned tight end is not much of a blocker and isn't quite the receiving threat that Marcedes Lewis and Zach Miller provide. If the Jaguars choose to keep a third tight end, which is very likely considering the Jaguars have often had 4 on the roster, it will likely be a battle between three players. Incumbent Ernest Wilford, Zach Potter who spent most of the 2009 season on the Jaguars practice squad, and undrafted free agent Mike Caussin of James Madison.

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Even after the addition of Tyson Alualu and D'Anthony Smith with the first two picks of the draft, the Jaguars could still use depth at the position after the releases of John Henderson, Derek Landri and Montavious Stanley. However, the place amongst the DTs that is in the most need of depth is behind Terrance Knighton. Alualu and Smith both compliment the nose tackle-esque Knighton as the pass rushing counterparts to his run stopping ability. 

Undrafted free agent Ko Quaye could provide depth as a run blocker for the Jaguars. In 2009, the Jaguars went into the season with a 6 player rotation at the defensive tackle spot. As of now, Quaye is one of only 6 DTs currently on the roster and has a very legitimate chance at making the squad. 

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