Day 7 of Jaguars OTAs Draws Praise for a Balanced Showing From Both Sides of the Ball

Jun 02, 2025 at 04:47 PM

JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars held Day 7 of their 2025 organized team activities at the Miller Electric Center Monday.

Four Jaguars media members – senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, senior reporter/editor J.P. Shadrick and team reporter/producer Kainani Stevens – shared an observation following practice. Here they are:

Senior Writer John Oehser: Speed remains a huge Jaguars '25 OTA storyline, and you couldn't watch OTA Day 7 Monday without again noticing that the Jaguars' top receivers – Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter and Dyami Brown– are as fast and fluid as any top three Jaguars receivers in recent memory. Brown in particular continues to show easy speed – and it's increasingly apparent that he figures to play a huge role in the offense next season. Another storyline to watch as the offseason approaches a close and we begin looking ahead to 2025 Training Camp in late July: Running back Travis Etienne Jr., who has had an impressive offseason program. His speed, elusiveness and vision figures to again make him key to the Jaguars' offense – and Etienne on Monday expressed excitement over Head Coach Liam Coen's scheme, which often features two backs. While many observers/media have speculated about Etienne possible being traded this offseason, Coen on Monday praised the fifth-year veteran and added, "I really don't understand some of the stuff I've kind of seen out there. there. That's absolutely inaccurate."

Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown (5) during OTAs at the Miller Electric Center on June 2, 2025.

Senior Correspondent Brian Sexton: It's hard to see the competition at offensive tackle without pads, but it's impossible to miss the presence of Fred Johnson and Chuma Edoga in three weeks of OTAs. Johnson started nine games for the Philadelphia Eagles last year during their Super Bowl season and might be the Jaguars' biggest offensive tackle since Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Boselli in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His length and size are impressive, but the way he hustles from rep to rep and drill to drill is enough to know why they signed him. He will push Walker Little on the left side while Edoga will challenge Anton Harrison on the right side. Edoga's a strong presence on the line and you can see where his time in Dallas working with that offensive line has prepared him for the next step in his career. It's a long way to Week 1, but Johnson and Edoga are already doing what they were signed to do, which is raise the floor on talent and culture in the offensive line room.

Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during OTAs at the Miller Electric Center on June 2, 2025.

Senior Reporter/ Editor J.P. Shadrick: OTA No. 7 moved to an early morning start, so the team beat the heat of the afternoon and was off the field well before 11:00 a.m. Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen met with the media after the session and addressed the "weight issue" from last season. He said he played at 285 pounds at one point last season, the heaviest he ever has been, and said he would rather not do that again. Let's see how these front-line defensive line players respond at a more comfortable playing weight. Also after practice Etienne talked about "controlling the controllables" after the Jaguars selected two running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft. Etienne has always had an even-keeled approach to his work and the business behind him and his role in the organization. He understands that production matters, and 2025 will be a massive training camp and season for him in his fifth-year-option campaign.

Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) during OTAs at the Miller Electric Center on June 2, 2025.

Team Reporter/Producer Kainani Stevens: The Jaguars had their most balanced day so far during OTA No. 7 Monday. Success on both sides of the ball has become the norm as the players begin to settle into their new routines. The Jaguars have seen almost 100 percent turnout for this voluntary portion of the offseason program, including Hines-Allen – who has skipped OTAs the last two seasons. Speaking after practice, Hines-Allen said he is feeling more like himself this offseason. Hines-Allen struggled last year with a higher playing weight of 285 pounds and said he is looking forward to playing at a lower weight this season. This sentiment has been echoed by fellow defensive players linebacker Devin Lloyd and end Travon Walker, who have also come into OTAs noticeably lighter. So far an increased athleticism on the defense is notable and I have to imagine dropping the weight will help them maintain their fitness as the offseason progresses.

1 / 59

Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Chuma Edoga (55) during OTAs at the Miller Electric Center on June 2, 2025.