The Jacksonville Jaguars kicked off the 2025 season with a reasonably simple win over the Carolina Panthers as they by no means trailed on their method to a 26-10 victory.
It was a whole crew effort because the crew received in all three phases of the sport, and whereas the celebs had been the driving pressure of the victory, the 2025 rookie class made a big influence on this one.
In actual fact, each draftee that wasn’t on the harm report noticed motion on Sunday they usually all contributed ultimately to the win. Let’s dive into how every rookie fared in Week 1, and we’ll kick issues off with The Unicorn himself, Travis Hunter.
After lacking a lot of the preseason with a minor harm, it was unclear simply how adept to the offense Travis Hunter could be in his first actual recreation motion of his profession however these questions had been rapidly answered as he acquired two targets on the very first drive of the sport.
He completed the sport with a team-high eight targets as he hauled in six of them for 33 yards on the day. Whereas these numbers aren’t eye-opening by any means, they do present that Liam Coen and the Jacksonville passing assault wish to prioritize getting the ball in his palms to set him up with catch-and-run alternatives.
On the defensive facet of the ball, Hunter performed simply six snaps which didn’t actually permit for a lot of a glimpse at his skill in protection. He allowed one catch the place he helped to wash up the deal with afterwards for his solely registered stat on protection.
Rookie working again Bhayshul Tuten noticed minimal work within the backfield on Sunday as he had simply three carries on the day. Nevertheless, the primary carry of his profession actually highlighted what he can present this offense as he made one thing out of nothing on his method to an eight-yard achieve.
His decisiveness within the face of site visitors to get lateral and burst by way of the open gap is one thing that has been an inconsistent trait amongst Jacksonville working backs for some time. If he can sprinkle performs like that into this offense constantly, then his function will solely proceed to extend – particularly after the current Tank Bigsby commerce.
The fourth spherical linebacker out of Notre Dame didn’t register a defensive snap on Sunday however he did see 13 particular groups snaps. Whereas he didn’t notch something within the stat column, Kiser is coming off of a formidable camp and preseason the place he beat out veteran Chad Muma for that last LB4 spot on the ultimate roster. Whereas it was a quiet outing, Kiser ought to have alternatives to make an influence because the season progresses.
Like Kiser, security Rayuan Lane was primarily used on particular groups on Sunday as he noticed 13 snaps on that unit the place he tallied one deal with on the day.
Lane’s skill to be the primary man to the ball on the punt and kickoff united flashed all preseason and that would be the expectation for him all season. The crew launched long-time gunner Daniel Thomas this offseason in favor of the rookie out of Navy so that they clearly have excessive expectations for him in that function.
The particular groups prepare retains on chugging as Monheim noticed most of his work with the specialists as nicely, though he did are available in for each kneel-downs on the finish of the sport so he registered two “offensive ” snaps.
The USC product held up nicely on the kick protection unit and can proceed to be the first backup to beginning middle Robert Hainsey for now.
There’s an argument to be made that the Jaguars’ final draft choose within the 2025 NFL Draft was truly probably the most impactful rookie not named Travis Hunter on the day.
LeQuint Allen Jr. performed 11 complete snaps with 9 approaching offense the place he tallied one rush for seven yards and one reception for 4 yards. Nevertheless, it was his cross safety out of the backfield that actually stood out.
His anticipation and willingness to have interaction with free rushers could possibly be an enormous consider Liam Coen’s offense which may result in the seventh rounder being a significant component on this crew going ahead.
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