As training camp nears for the Jacksonville Jaguars, we're going to break down each position and its respective battles that will take place in camp and the preseason. Between starting positions and depth spots, there will be interesting battles up and down the roster.

The Jacksonville Jaguars took a big step forward in 2022, and part of the reason for that improvement was an improved special teams performance.  

And it wasn't just reliant upon special teams stalwarts like P Logan Cooke and KR/PR Jamal Agnew.  The coverage units on kickoffs and punts were also solid.  It was nothing short of yeoman's work by special teams coach Heath Farwell.  The unit improved from 24th in 2021 to 11th in 2022 in Rick Gosselin's special teams rankings, which evaluates 22 different special teams categories. 

With that being said, are there any potential battles or changes that could take place in training camp and the preseason?  

Special teams candidates

Kicker: Brandon McManus, James McCourt

This is obviously going to be McManus’ job, hands down.  The veteran has led the league in 50+ yard field goals since he came into the league and was a perfect 18 of 18 in kicks from 40-49 yards the last two years.  Being that good on money kicks is what separates kickers like McManus from those who hop around the league as replacements. He can also handle the kickoff duties, which he did in Denver. 

McCourt spent his rookie season on the Jaguar's practice squad last year, and likely will end up there again, unless he does well enough to get the attention of another team during the preseason. 

Unless McManus gets the major yips, he'll be the team's kicker. 

Punter: Logan Cooke

There’s no one else on the roster, and Cooke turned in a performance worthy of the Pro Bowl last season.  He finished third in punting average (49.3) and sixth in net punting average (43.8). 

Cooke and Trevor Lawrence are the biggest locks on the roster. 

Return specialist: Jamal Agnew, Christian Kirk, JaMycal Hasty, Chris Claybrooks

Agnew has been a force as a returner since entering the league.  In his rookie season in 2017, he earned AP first team All-Pro honors while leading the league with 447 returning yards, a 15.4 yard average, and two touchdowns.  Over his career, he’s scored seven return touchdowns, including a 109-yard missed field goal return against the Cardinals in 2021.  He finally earned his first Pro Bowl nod last season. 

However, others did step in when he was absent with a knee injury in the middle of last season.  Christian Kirk returned 4 punts in London against Denver and returned punts at Texas A&M.  Chris Claybrooks and Jamycal Hasty also each returned 4 kickoffs last season in Hasty's absence. 

The only potential consideration for Agnew might be the $5.88 million cap hit this year (with only a $1.166 million dead cap figure, per Spotrac.com) and a $4.25 million base salary.  However, the Jaguars were willing to pay almost exactly that last year ($5.54 million cap hit with a $4 million base salary) and currently sit at almost $22 million under the salary cap, per OverTheCap.com.  As such, there isn't really a financial squeeze to threaten Agnew's job, and he should again be back returning kicks in Jacksonville this fall. 

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The Jaguars have a very good situation at all phases of special teams.  They have a reliable kicker.  They have a punter who could finally be recognized this year for what his stats show: that he's one of the best in the NFL.  And they have an explosive returner that can handle both of the return specialists' responsibilities in one roster spot.  And they have covered kicks extremely well. 

There's no doubt this unit helped the Jaguars reach the playoffs for the first time in five years.  If it can continue its solid play, the ceiling for this team is sky high. 

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Featured image via Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports