The Jacksonville Jaguars played the New Orleans Saints to a stalemate on Sunday as the game ended in a 17-17 tie at the Superdome. Despite that, the team put some much cleaner play on tape compared to last week’s sloppy performance against the Steelers. They cut their total penalties in half (from 8 to 4) and the operation on both sides of the ball looked a lot more controlled as Liam Coen and his young staff continue to work through the expected growing pains that come with a new regime. Speaking
of growing pains, the team’s star rookie sensation, Travis Hunter, is going through some of those of his own as he was held out of this contest with what the team called an “upper body” injury that was said to be a precautionary measure.
It’s certainly a shame that fans couldn’t get a larger dose of the two-way unicorn but his absence did allow for the rest of Jacksonville’s 2025 rookie class to step into the spotlight, and many of them took advantage of their opportunity. So let’s highlight how the newest Jags fared against the Saints on Sunday.
Wyatt Milum
The third-rounder out of West Virginia has been turning heads throughout camp and the preseason due to his ability to plug-and-play across any position on the offensive line with next to no drop off in his level of play. In fact, he’s been so impressive that there have been rumblings that he could be in a legit competition with the team’s top free agency acquisition this offseason in Patrick Mekari for the starting right guard spot.
Unfortunately, Milum pulled up with what looked to be a lower body injury early in Sunday’s game against the Saints and did not return to the field after that. There have yet to be any updates on the situation but it does put the breaks on the Wyatt Milum hype train just a little bit…for now
Bhayshul Tuten
The Jaguars clearly want to get an extended look at rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten this preseason as Sunday marked the second straight week in which Tuten has led the team in both carries and total touches. After getting eight opportunities a week ago, the Virginia Tech speedster touched the ball 11 times against the Saints and he hit pay dirt in both contests.
His balance and burst have stood out among the rest of the running back room and his heavy usage indicates that Tuten should be heavily involved in the running back rotation as a rookie.
Jack Kiser
Jack Kiser continues to flash for the Jaguars as he had himself a really nice game against the Saints on Sunday. He was active when on the field in the run game notching six total tackles (three solo) and he tallied two QB pressures as well.
The competition between he and Chad Muma for that LB4 spot is starting to feel like a runaway for the rookie as he’s been the far more impactful player through two preseason contests. Look for Kiser to get even more play in the final preseason game this week against the Dolphins where fans could get an extended view of the heady Notre Dame product.
Rayuan Lane
The Jaguars special teams ace for years now has been Daniel Thomas, who is terrific in that role, but they may have found a younger, cheaper version for the future in their sixth round rookie out of the Naval Academy, Rayuan Lane.
Lane has really flashed as a gunner through two preseason games which is exactly how a late round picks like him can earn an immediate role as a rookie. Hopefully we get a larger dose of him on defense against the Dolphins this week but he’s got a great shot at solidifying a spot on the final 53 if he continues his strong play.
Jonah Monheim
Expectations for seventh round center Jonah Monheim were minimal heading into camp but boy has that shifted as we enter the last week of the preseason as the USC product has been really good on the interior to this point. He’s bounced around to both guard spots as well as center and he’s more than held his own no matter where he’s lined up. He’s got a really thick build so he takes up a lot of space and he pairs that with good feet and hand usage. His play strength is still a work in progress but there is a lot to like about what Monheim has put on tape to this point.
In fact, the Jags must agree because they traded backup center Luke Fortner directly after the game on Sunday which is a nice bode of confidence that they like Monheim quite a bit.
LeQuint Allen
The role of running back LeQuint Allen in this offense seems pretty evident based off how he’s been used through two preseason games. He has gotten just two carries to this point but he’s led the team in targets with nine while catching eight of them for 44 yards. His ability in pass pro has also stood out as he plays with an edge that this running back has been lacking.
Allen is clearly going to be a rotational piece that exclusively comes in on third downs but I would like to see him get more opportunities in the run game in Miami this weekend.
Which rookie stood out to you, Jaguars fans?
