Organized Team Activities allow NFL teams to focus on fundamentals since pads aren’t permitted and contact is prohibited. In the case of the Jacksonville Jaguars, they’ll have a chance to get their rookies and free-agent acquisitions up to speed. On top of that, defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen will be busy installing his system.
As noted before, contact isn’t allowed but that hasn’t stopped a handful of players from turning heads. Either because they’re getting quickly acclimated or putting their playmaking skills on full display, these five have stood out.
RS Devin Duvernay is turning heads at Jaguars OTAs
The Jaguars have made a considerable investment in their return game these past few years. Back in 2021, they signed Jamal Agnew. With Agnew becoming a free agent in March, the front office brought in Devin Duvernay to take his place.
A two-time Pro Bowl nod with the Baltimore Ravens, Duvernay should have an immediate impact in kickoffs. On top of that, he will probably become a steady contributor on offense. Last year, he only caught four passes but he tallied 37 in 2022 and 33 the year prior.
Already, Duvernay is making a positive impression. On the first day of OTAs, he reeled in a one-hand catch that set the internet ablaze.
Terrible video but Duvernay catches this with one hand, both feet in.
Source: trust me bro pic.twitter.com/7E3E9TI8c4
— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) May 20, 2024
And here’s a clear angle of the grab in slow motion, courtesy of Logan Bowles.
Duvernay #OTA #NFL #NFLPhoto #Jaguars pic.twitter.com/4M87nF4Hkn
— Logan Bowles (@PhotoBowles) May 21, 2024
Coincidentally, the NFL is making changes to the kickoff rules in hopes of making the play relevant once again. With the number of fair catches going up in recent years, the league adopted the XFL version to increase the number of returns.
Under the new rule, which will be put on trial next season, returners will become a valuable commodity. The Jags have a good one in Duvernay. Add the fact that they’ll pay him an annual average of $4.25 million and it looks like they’ll be getting plenty of bang for their buck.
DE Myles Cole is turning heads at Jaguars OTAs
Late-round draft picks don’t tend to garner plenty of attention but defensive end Myles Coles has gotten the spotlight often in recent weeks. While his production at Texas Tech didn’t pop off the stat sheet, his physical traits have made him the talk of the town. Specifically, his arm length of 36.88 inches stands out.
Myles Cole: longest arms among all edge defenders in the 2024 draft class (36.88 inches) pic.twitter.com/xaEdh0N2jS
— PFF JAX Jaguars (@PFF_Jaguars) April 27, 2024
But his impressive athletic measurables aren’t the only reason Cole has dropped jaws in OTAs. Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen has been pleased with the work the Louisiana native has put in.
“When you grind the tape on him, he’s made some plays,” Nielsen told the media on the first day of OTAs. “You gotta grind through it a little bit and find out, but we’re excited about him. The measurables and things like that. But what he was doing on this tape is very similar to the type of the defensive end position that we like.”
“When you take those measurables and some of the things on the tape… Yep, he’s a young guy that has to learn, just like all rookies, but we’re excited about his growth. He’s been good in terms of putting the extra time in. He’s done a good job of being in the right spot on the field,” Nielsen said.
Cole has a long way to go before he can contribute, but the Jaguars should be thrilled about his potential, especially when you consider that their pass rush could use a boost. Maybe Myles can provide it.
OL Cooper Hodges is turning heads in Jaguars OTAs
Cooper Hodges was working his way up the depth chart last year when a patella injury ended his rookie season before it even started. After months of recovery, Hodges, along with his Tugboat Tumble, is back in the fold and ready to pick up where he left off last year.
If the full Cooper Hodges Experience™️ doesn’t fire you up on a Monday AM, then I feel sorry for you #Jaguars | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/rBAMiM7PeQ
— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) August 7, 2023
In his own words, Hodges couldn’t wait to return to the football field, as this was the longest he had been away since he was five or six. But even though he missed the 2023 season, he was busy rehabbing after undergoing knee surgery. He says that being back makes it all worth it.
“I was going to try to come back and ended up needing surgery,” Hodges told the media during OTAs. “The whole first part, you’re thinking all right, am I not going to have surgery? Am I ready to do this? You get to know your body, that kind of thing. But that mental part of getting past that and preparing yourself to play again, it’s a tough battle. But at the end of the day, it’s worth it being out here again.”
Barring injuries to the starters, Hodges won’t get much playing time in 2024 but that won’t stop him from improving as much as he can. Getting back on the field was a first huge step.
CB Jarrian Jones is already turning heads as Jaguars OTAs
The Jaguars earned plenty of scrutiny for waiting until Round 3 to address the cornerback position. However, nobody will question the decision to select Jarrian Jones 96th overall if he turns out to be a playmaker.
While head coach Doug Pederson says that Jones will start the season in the slot, nobody will bat an eye if he ends up lining up in the boundaries at some point of the 2024 season. Already, the former Florida State Seminole is getting positive reviews. John Shipley of Sports Illustrated called him a Day 1 standout at OTAs.
The last time assistant general manager Ethan Waugh met with the local media, he had a glowing review of Jones, pointing out that his energy is infectious.
“His energy, personality,” Waugh said when he was asked what the Jaguars liked about Jones. “You’ll see that when you guys get a chance to talk with him if you haven’t yet. But he’s infectious. He enjoyed being here. He enjoyed talking football, he enjoyed learning football. He enjoyed spending time with the coaches.”
“When our coaches spent time with him asking a player to play inside and outside is more mentally tasking than playing one spot. They felt good about him in that role. He impressed us while he was here,” Waugh said.
WR Brian Thomas Jr. is already turning heads at Jaguars OTAs
As good as Jarrian Jones has been, fellow rookie Brian Thomas Jr. has been as impressive. Granted, he’s going to get a bigger spotlight by virtue of being a first-round pick but Thomas has been everything the Jaguars bargained for and then some.
Maybe that’s why former NFL quarterback Shaun King went as far as suggesting that he’ll be the most productive receiver out of the 2024 draft class. Head coach Doug Pederson was not nearly as effusive as King but still had praise for the rookie wideout when he met with the local media on the first day of OTAs.
Thomas has already been working with Lawrence and their connection should get stronger as the regular season approaches.
Trevor Lawrence connecting with Brian Thomas Jr. at OTAs this morning. In a few months we should see a lot more of this in game 🤩#Jaguars | #duuuval pic.twitter.com/EiqeDU13I7
— Alessandra Pontbriand (@APontbriandTV) May 20, 2024
Thomas may or may not be the most productive rookie receiver in 2024 but he’s at least off to a great start.
