We're halfway through the preseason, and September 13th is about to be knocking on our door. The start of the regular season will truly be a great feeling after such a long offseason.
So, when the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Detroit Lions in Friday night for the team's third preseason game, who needs to have a solid performance?
T.J. Yeldon
The second-round pick for the Jaguars will be making his first appearance of the preseason this Friday night, and I really couldn't be any more excited.
Yeldon has shown throughout offseason training and in the scrimmage that he has great talent and looks to be the Jaguars' next great running back. However, he's had to fight off a hand injury that he suffered on a touchdown run during the scrimmage game that has kept him out of the first half of the preseason. I look forward to seeing how he bounces back from his first injury as a professional.
After coming out of Alabama with 3,322 yards and 37 touchdowns during his collegiate career, it's time for us to get a taste of what Yeldon can do for the Jaguars for years to come.
Ryan Davis
It's safe to assume that everyone is happy with Davis' production over the past two seasons. He has filled the role as a rotational pass rusher, and while playing on only 27.6% of the team's defensive snaps last year, he finished with 6.5 sacks. That's only two sacks fewer than team sack leader Sen'Derrick Marks, who finished with 8.5 sacks.
This year, with the loss of Dante Fowler Jr. at LEO, Chris Clemons starting to age, and Andre Branch continuing to show inconsistency, Davis could see a much bigger role in the Jaguars defense. This preseason, Davis has been relatively quiet, and I'm looking for him to disrupt the Lions passing attack on Friday night.
Davis shouldn't have much to worry about if he doesn't have a great showing against Detroit, however it would be nice to see how he is coming along after a long offseason of additions to the Jaguars' defensive front seven.
Who are you watching out for when the Jaguars square off against the Lions?