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Jacksonville Jaguars' most underrated player? Teammates weigh in
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- Jacksonville Jaguars' most underrated player? Teammates weigh in
On their current 53-man roster, the Jacksonville Jaguars have 27 players who weren't with the organization last year. That means this season has been months of teammates learning about each other. Who is tough? Who is versatile? And, who is underrated?
Last week, I polled nine players: Who is the most underrated player (offense or defense) on the roster?
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To illustrate the surprising nature of this 9-4 season, seven players received votes.
RB LeQuint Allen , Jr. (2 votes)
Tight end Brenton Strange :"A guy who does a lot of the dirty work is LeQuint. He does a lot of the things that aren't seen, but he loves doing it and I appreciate that about him."
Tight end Quintin Morris :"I'm going with LeQuint. He has that 'dawg' mentality and that's something you can't coach. Whatever his job is, it's a specific role and he makes sure he does the best he can."
My take:Allen has 14 carries for 70 yards and nine catches for 49 yards, but he plays the game with a unique level of physicality, which always impresses veterans. As a ball carrier and pass protector (and even fullback), he embraces contact.
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DT DaVon Hamilton (2 votes)
Linebacker Dennis Gardeck :"I feel like he's starting to get a little bit of buzz, but D-Ham has been doing it at a high level for a while. To be able to watch his tape day-in and day-out and the way he effects the off-ball linebackers and the guys on the edges, it's not a glamorous job and he won't make the top-10 highlights, but he's consistent in doing whatever is asked of him."
Linebacker Devin Lloyd :"I think of DaVon. He anchors our defense and we wouldn't be the No. 1-ranked run defense without him. He's just a force in the middle. Whoever's in front of him, he dominates that match-up and shuts down the run game."
My take:The Jaguars rank first in rush defense (82.9) and sixth in yards allowed per carry (3.9) and Hamilton has 11 tackles in the run game (five "stuffs" per my charting). But to points made by Gardeck and Lloyd, it is a selfless role that Hamilton has within the defense. He digs his cleats into the turf to make sure linebackers can flow unfettered to the ball carrier.
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OL Cole Van Lanen (1 vote)
RT Anton Harrison :"I'm going to say Cole because, honestly, you don't know what position he's going to play each week. Right tackle when I was out. Left tackle (when Walker Little was out). Both guard spots. Somebody who can do that and do it at a high level, that's hard. I don't know if I could play that many positions week in and week out. Guard to tackle in the same game (against Tennessee ) is a crazy thing, but he has the mindset of, 'Whatever they ask me to do, I'll do it at a high level.'"
My take: Van Lanen has started at left guard, right tackle, right guard and left tackle … in the last five games. I have booked him for 1 1/2 sacks, a half knockdown and two pressures in pass protection this season.
LB Dennis Gardeck (1 vote)
CB Jourdan Lewis :"What Dennis does means everything. When you play with that energy and play unselfishly, it boosts the team's morale. He just wants to play good, winning football. He doesn't care about getting the glory. That means everything for our defense. He's a glue guy and an energy guy and is doing an amazing job."
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(Lewis gave an honorable mention vote to linebacker Ventrell Miller . "Ventrell has been turning the ball over and coming up really big, even in the special teams game," Lewis said.)
My take:Gardeck would get my vote because I didn't know anything about him. His career highs entering this season were eight starts (he has seven this year), 510 defensive snaps (he has 339 this year) and 46 tackles (he has 42 this year), all for Arizona in 2023. He can play outside linebacker in base personnel and the move to stand-up edge rusher on third down. I have him for four knockdowns, 6 1/2 pressures and four run "stuffs" in addition to his two sacks.
More: AFC playoff picture,: Jaguars third in conference with 9-4 record
TE Quintin Morris (1 vote)
Center Robert Hainsey :"Quintin, that kid has been playing his butt off and it's been so much fun to watch him make great blocks and catch passes."
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(Hainsey also wanted to salute several receivers. "Parker (Washington) has been awesome; if people aren't talking about him, they should be," he said. "Jakobi (Meyers) and Tim (Patrick) have been unbelievable additions from just a leadership standpoint and how they do things.")
My take:I covered Morris during his three years with the Buffalo Bills (45 games) so his ability to make spot catches and block aren't total surprises. He started the year on the practice squad but was promoted on Oct. 6 and has played in 10 games. His blocking role became important during Strange's five-game absence (hip).
Nov 9, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) returns a punt for a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the first half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
WR Parker Washington (1 vote)
Receiver Tim Patrick :"I'll say Parker because he's consistently made winning plays for us for most of the year. He probably doesn't get the national attention, but I feel like he's been doing a great job as a returner and receiver."
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My take:Despite missing the win over Indianapolis (hip), Washington leads the Jaguars with 36 catches and is tied for the team lead with three touchdown catches. Additionally, he's been an All Pro-level punt returner (third with a 17-yard average and tied for first with two touchdowns).
LB Foye Oluokun (1 vote)
Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah :"Foye is underrated. He brings this team together with how he leads and he's a tackle machine."
My take:Ogbah agreed with my premise for his answer that Oluokun playing his career in Atlanta and Jacksonville (let's face it, semi-obscurity) means he impresses new teammates with his production. He is tied for 14th in the NFL with 103 tackles and recently passed the 1,000-tackle mark for his career.
Contact O'Halloran at rohalloran@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Who is Jacksonville Jaguars most underrated player? Teammates weigh in
