How much will Michael Bennett contribute this season?

Somehow, Michael Bennett was still on the board when the Jaguars selected him in the sixth round with the 180th pick in the 2015 NFL draft.

And as that storyline begins to die alongside the rotten corpse that is unpadded football rehearsals, we are free to dive into more pertinent football topics concerning the sixth-round rookie defensive tackle.

Bennett made quite the impression this offseason in OTA practices. Bennett is a 3-tech, making his development especially important as the Jaguars top 3-tech, Sen'Derrick Marks, recovers from his ACL injury.

Ziggy Hood is in place to take the first-team reps as Marks continues his rehab, but Bennett will get work in this area throughout training camp. Some local media even question how safe Ziggy’s spot is considering Bennett’s tremendous upside.

I think it’s a little premature to predict Michael Bennett stealing anyone's job.

However, it's not unreasonable to expect Bennett to contribute in his rookie year. As the Jaguars continue building on to their rotational defensive line scheme, the team will most likely employ Bennett as an interior pass rusher in certain situations. Bennett’s play off the bench could turn into a rather productive role, depending on injuries and how his quickly his NFL transition unfolds.

Still, Bennett needs to remain healthy to assemble any momentum that might push him into significant playing time. The former Buckeye’s lingering groin injury is an issue that many people believe fueled Bennett’s draft day drop.

The Jaguars interior line is loaded with talent. But if Bennett uncovers his niche sooner rather than later, he could see more of the field than many people predicted.