Jaguars @ Cowboys
Final Score: Jaguars 34, Cowboys 14
Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)
Rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence continues to look like he’s ready for the NFL as he diced up the Cowboys’ defense early. Head Coach Urban Meyer has been giving his young starters a lot of preseason snaps, so there are some fantasy-relevant nuggets of information on their side of the ball. The Cowboys are protecting their assets and not letting any of their starters play this week. A lot of bubble guys fighting to make the back end of their roster. Thus, most of this article will focus on the Jaguars.
Jacksonville Jaguars
| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence: 11/12, 139 yards, 2 TDs
Jake Luton: 16/18, 137 yards, TD | 3 carries, -2 yards, Fumble
C.J. Beathard: 5/10, 86 yards, INT
There really isn’t a lot to say. Trevor Lawrence looks ready. Who knows if this will translate to the regular season or beyond, but heck, it looks great right now.
A dime to Dorsett, courtesy of @Trevorlawrencee.
📺: #JAXvsDAL on NFLN pic.twitter.com/BJuzgy9Leo
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 29, 2021
https://twitter.com/Jaguars/status/1432029985418657793
Lawrence is absolutely not afraid to sling the rock. I don’t expect the Jags to be leading in many of their regular-season games, which creates plenty of opportunities for Trevor to remind us why he was the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
With Gardner Minshew on a new team, Jake Luton made his case to back up Lawrence this season, although his lack of experience may ultimately give C.J. Beathard the edge. Without injury, it really doesn’t matter.
Running Back
Devine Ozigbo: 11 carries, 68 yards, TD | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 10 yards
James Robinson: 3 carries, 10 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 2 yards
Dare Ogunbowale: 2 carries, 6 yards | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 8 yards
Carlos Hyde: 1 carry, 5 yards
Nathan Cotrell: 5 carries, 2 yards, Fumble | 1 target, 1 reception, 11 yards
It’s pretty much a certainty that James Robinson owns this backfield again in 2021 after losing his backfield mate Travis Etienne for the season to a Lisfranc injury. Devine Ozigbo is taking this as an opportunity to show his value as he put some points on the board in the fourth quarter from about five yards out.
.@TrulyDevine_22 finds paydirt!
📺: #JAXvsDAL on NFLN pic.twitter.com/22zGSkbI0l
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 29, 2021
The running backs combined for a total of seven targets, which is something to take note of. The offense clearly had a plan to involve the running backs in the passing game, or else they wouldn’t have taken a pass-catcher like Travis Etienne in the 2021 NFL draft. Even though he is out for the season, the offense is still the offense.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Jeff Cotton: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 66 yards
Devin Smith: 1 target, 1 reception, 45 yards
Phillip Dorsett II: 1 target, 1 reception, 38 yards
Josh Hammond: targets, 5 receptions, 36 yards
Laviska Shenault Jr: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 33 yards, TD
James O’Shaughnessy: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 27 yards
Pharoh Cooper: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 24 yards, TD
Chris Manhertz: 1 target, 1 reception, 15 yards
Tyler Davis: 2 targets, 2 reception, 15 yards
Laquan Treadwell: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 14 yards, TD
Ben Ellefson: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 10 yards
Tevin Jones: 1 target, 1 reception, 8 yards
Collin Johnson: 2 targets
A lot of names were involved in the passing game as 17 different players were targeted on the day for the Jaguars. The name to watch on here is second-year wideout Laviska Shenault Jr, who is going to be utilized as a weapon in this offense in 2021 and is poised for a breakout:
.@Viska2live really said get your weight up.
📺: #JAXvsDAL on NFLN pic.twitter.com/eWysDv6tTQ
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 29, 2021
Out here having fun with it.
📺: #JAXvsDAL on NFLN pic.twitter.com/HhYCph4Uwc
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 29, 2021
The Jaguars’ quarterbacks did a great job of spreading the ball around. It might be indicative of their regular-season offense, which would make sense considering the depth at receiver.
Dallas Cowboys
| HOF Game | Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Ben DiNucci: 8/16, 93 yards, TD
Garrett Gilbert: 9/16, 87 yards, TD
Cooper Rush: 4/8, 16 yards
No Dak Prescott in this matchup as more guys fight for a roster spot on the Cowboys. Garrett Gilbert did throw a dart up the sideline to Aaron Parker, leading him perfectly into the endzone. It’s important to monitor who Dallas chooses to back up Dak now that Andy Dalton is in Chicago.
Gilbert on the 🎯to Parker!#JAXvsDAL | 🎥 Watch now on @NFLNetwork & CBS 11 pic.twitter.com/w9sL25SVWQ
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 29, 2021
Running Back
Brenden Knox: 11 carries, 47 yards | 4 targets, 3 receptions, 7 yards
JaQuan Hardy: 9 carries, 26 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 8 yards
Reggie Davis: 1 carry, 3 yards | 3 targets, 1 reception, 1 yard
Brenden Knox was the most efficient of the bunch, but that doesn’t mean a lot as the group averaged a mere 3.6 yards per carry on the night. Another seven targets to the backfield as well, which could be a great sign for Ezekiel Elliot’s future in PPR leagues.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Brandon Smith: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 31 yards
Johnnie Dixon: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 29 yards, TD
Aaron Parker: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 29 yards, TD
Nick Eubanks: 5 catches, 3 receptions, 29 yards
Malik Turner: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 26 yards
Simi Fehoko: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 21 yards
Jeremy Sprinkle: 1 target, 1 reception, 15 yards
Osirus Mitchell: 3 targets
Johnnie Dixon and Aaron Parker both hauled in touchdowns, with Dixon’s coming in what I would consider preseason garbage time. Not a lot of note here outside of three different receivers oddly having 29 yards each. Malik Turner had this nifty catch:
.@leekleek217 securing the 💰!
📺: #JAXvsDAL | Watch now on @NFLNetwork or CBS 11
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 29, 2021
Johnnie Dixon and Aaron Parker both hauled in touchdowns, with Dixon’s coming in what I would consider preseason garbage time.
LeBron James approves of Trevor Lawrence
Glad you enjoyed the @Trevorlawrencee show, @KingJames.
(via kingjames/IG) pic.twitter.com/UuchyC6lkA
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 29, 2021
— Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)