The passing game struggles Jacksonville has encountered in training camp have been well-documented by observers, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence up to five interceptions in four days of team drills including three during 11-on-11 periods.
Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor issued an important reminder Friday: Play installations are kept relatively minimal this early in the preseason.
Jacksonville has yet to conduct a padded practice, limiting typical physicality from offensive linemen in their blocking and wide receivers in their route-running.
But if there is a player who could get the offense going when pads come on, Taylor believes it could be new Jaguars receiver Gabe Davis.
“I think a lot of the things that Gabe can do, you’ll see more in the live periods, which we don’t have a ton of those. But as the pads come on and things get physical, there’s an element to Gabe that we expect to bring out of him, or him to bring out in our offense even more,” Taylor said Friday.
Davis signed a three-year, $39 million contract with Jacksonville during free agency in March, following four seasons with Buffalo, which selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft out of UCF.
In 64 appearances and 47 starts with the Bills, Davis hauled in 132 receptions for 2,730 yards, averaging 16.7 yards per grab, with 27 touchdowns. He added 22 catches for 474 yards and six touchdowns in seven postseason games.
Importantly, he caught 16 regular season red zone touchdowns, including five in 2021 (tied for 20th-most among NFL receivers that season) and 2023 (tied for No. 13).
The Jaguars opened camp working extensively in the red zone during team periods. Their quarterbacks, Lawrence, Mac Jones and C.J. Beathard, combined for five interceptions over those two practices.
Turnovers were less frequent on Days 3 and 4, but scores and explosive plays remained few and far between.
Davis’ size — 6-foot-2, 225 pounds — and explosive play ability could disrupt that trend for the better for Jacksonville’s offense when the Jaguars dress fully for practice this week.
“Obviously, he’s got length, he’s got speed, he’s got play speed,” Taylor described Davis. “So, those are all things that as we just continue to grow and build, we think he’ll add to the offense.”
The Jaguars return to the Miller Electric Center for Day 5 of open training camp on Monday. Find Jacksonville’s full training camp schedule and reserve tickets for practices here.