It’s been said that the NFL Preseason is a lot like the old TV show Whose Line is it, Anyway? The lineups don’t always feature the top celebrities and the points don’t matter. That being said, people watch the performances and form the opinions of the players to see if they return to the program.

As the deadline for the final cuts approaches, coaches all over the league are among the audience members evaluating what they saw. Doug Pederson and the Jacksonville Jaguars staff now work to make a decision for who it is they move on from and who it is that suits up to play in front of the Duval Devout. These are the players who made the biggest impressions to help their argument to land on the 53-man roster.

Brian Thomas Jr.

This may not be the name that first comes to mind in this category, but remember the lukewarm reception he got at draft time as the 23rd overall pick. Fans and media either said they wanted a corner (like me), an offensive lineman, or an edge rusher. With Gabe Davis on the roster at the time as a new acquisition, many made the reckless snap judgment that he would be the replacement for Calvin Ridley (further exacerbated when Davis decided to don the number 0 just as Ridley did as a Jag last year).

BTJ gonna be a problem!@BrianThomas_11 | #KCvsJAX on CBS pic.twitter.com/CVCGPyoKZV

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 10, 2024

However throughout camp, Brian Thomas Jr. turned heads making impressive catches enough to where he was quickly taking snaps with the starters in preseason games. He had a catch with limited minutes in each game, two of which were for 38 yards or more. He showed the Duval Devout that it is he who the coaches had in mind to replace Ridley’s role all along while Davis would appear to be more of fill in for now-Arizona Cardinal Zay Jones.

Cam Little

For all the kicking issues that the Jags have dealt with in recent history, seeing a young man come out and boot six field goals in seven attempts in the preseason is quite a boost for Jacksonville — and the miss had plenty of leg from 60 yards out be fell wide left.

Little was acquired in the sixth round and has looked virtually perfect in preseason play, with three kicks connected from 40 yards or greater. That may not sound like a lot by NFL standards, but considering some of the drama the Jaguars have faced in close games with kickers (losing to the Cincinnati Bengals with a backup quarterback on Monday night football at home may spring to mind), Little can bring kicking stability the franchise has been missing.

Maason Smith

A key to the Jags delivering sustained success in 2024 to silence critics relies in part on the health of former San Francisco 49er Arik Armstead staying healthy. The key to that would be some element of “load management” for Armstead from young contributors.

The 48th overall selection from LSU fell to Jacksonville due to a decline in his performance in his final college football season. That being said, Maason Smith seems to have recovered from the injuries that slowed him in his final appearances as a Tiger. He’s been a force in run-stopping despite the Jags struggling as a team defending the ground game during the preseason. This could lead to him seeing significant time should Armstead get nicked up throughout the season.

Parker Washington

An oldie but a goodie among Jaguars flashing in the preseason, Parker Washington tied for the lead in receptions over the three games with eight while turning in 83 yards. This showing over the three exhibition games further exemplifies why members of the Duval Devout speculate that he is the “heir-apparent” to veteran Christian Kirk once his contract expires.

“I’m Parker Washington.” – Parker Washington@CPW11_ | #KCvsJAX on CBS pic.twitter.com/tzjVrqujvG

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 10, 2024

As if that wasn’t enough, Washington is also the first NFL player to take a kick return to the house under the new kickoff rules. The 72-yard scamper to paydirt could lead to him filling the role previously held by Jamal Agnew.