MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars' 14-6 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Preseason Week 3 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. Ready for the closeup. We won't invest much time in these quick thoughts analyzing the Jaguars' offense from Saturday. With few front-line players playing on that side of the ball against the Dolphins, it's best to look at the preseason as a whole – and the first-team offense on that front provided reasons for hope in three preseason games. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 14 of 17 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown while the first-team offense had extended drives on all three of its possessions, and the running game had some very encouraging spots. The offensive line feels like it will be at least marginally improved as a short-yardage running unit, and there's no question this is a significantly faster offense capable of more explosive plays. It's too early to project this as an elite offense, but it's hard to imagine it not being more consistent – and explosive – than was the case last season.
2. Impressive showing. With a few more potential contributors playing on defense than offense Saturday, the unit's effort was worth noting as what essentially was the Jaguars' third-team defense held what was close to the Dolphins' first-team offense without a touchdown for the first two series. Key during this time was second-year defensive tackle Maason Smith, playing for the first time this preseason after spending the first part of camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Also key: defensive linemen B.J. Green II and Danny Striggow, two collegiate free agent rookies who figure to either be on the active roster or practice squad and who each registered sacks Saturday. Rookie fourth-round linebacker Jack Kiser also had a sack Saturday. We won't overplay it here and say that Saturday's performance guarantees this will be a Top10 defense. But there are some young players on the front seven who are impressing and who are worth watching early in the season.

Brian Sexton, Senior Correspondent…

1. Energy and passion. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile on Friday said he expected this defense to play with great energy and great passion. He believes strongly in people over plays and talked at great length about a unit that would play together on Saturday. You saw just that on Saturday's first two defensive series, when the Jaguars' third string forced a unit with many of the Dolphins' starting offensive players off the field in back-to-back three and out drives. What was really fun to watch were the guys he said were battling for jobs – such as Green, Striggow and Jordan Jefferson and linebackers Yasir Abdullah and Chad Muma – all show up with big plays to back up the Campanile's predictions.
2. Worthy. If nothing else, the Jaguars found a number of guys for their practice squad Saturday. What are you going to do with running back Ja'Quinden Jackson, tight end Patrick Herbert, defensive lineman Keivie Rose, defensive lineman Ethan Downs, linebacker Branson Combs and Jefferson? All are worthy of keeping in the building in some capacity. This coaching staff has a lot of young players with some talent in need of development, and they have already shown they can get guys in the right place to play a higher level in 2025 such. Safety Antonio Johnson, right tackle Anton Harrison and wide receiver Parker Washington fit this description, not to mention running back Travis Etienne Jr. and tight end Brenton Strange. It's a good roster that could be much better if the Jaguars can build depth through player development.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...

1. Different strokes for different folks. The Jaguars chose to not dress 36 players, including many starters, in their final preseason game against Miami Saturday. However, the Dolphins played their starters for several series as a dress rehearsal of sorts for the regular season. Overall the Jaguars got some needed reps for their younger players. I was impressed with rookie safety Rayuan Lane III, who made some good plays on defense and continues to impress on special teams. Kiser also got meaningful minutes and recorded a sack and a tackle for loss.
2. Keep an eye on the waiver wire. The final roster cut deadline is quickly approaching as only 53 players will remain on the active roster come Tuesday afternoon. Head Coach Liam Coen admitted a few weeks ago that he had about 50 of the players already decided, but I think some players not even in the mix right now may have something to say about it. I would not be surprised if the Jags scour the waiver wire to address some roster needs at wide receiver or potentially backup quarterback.