Jacksonville Jaguars

Five Jaguars facing a make-or-break season in 2015

Published Aug. 10, 2015 11:18 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Jacksonville Jaguars begin their third year under general manager Dave Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley expecting to make significant strides. While a playoff berth is unlikely, the team believes it will be more competitive than it has been in recent years.

The Jaguars enter the season with the most space under the salary cap and will be under little pressure to cut anyone for financial reasons. Looking ahead to 2016, the Jaguars are projected to begin $41 million under the cap. Still, if a player isn't performing, he likely won't be kept around.

These five player facing a make-or-break season with the Jaguars this year.

Zane Beadles, guard

Beadles signed a five-year, $30 million dollar contract as a free agent in 2014. He was expected to help solidify the Jacksonville offensive line, but that didn't happen, as he was part of group that allowed 71 sacks last season.

The Jaguars invested a third-round pick in South Carolina's A.J. Cann. If the team feels Cann is ready to start in 2016, cutting Beadles would save $5.5 million. Beadles needs to show why the Jaguars paid him big money last year if he's to stick around past this season.

Toby Gerhart, running back

Gerhart, like Beadles, was another member of Jacksonville's 2014 free agent class who failed to make an impact in his first season with the club. Signed to be the featured back, Gerhart sprained his ankle in Week 1 and ended up missing two games. He played in 14 games but said he never felt the same after the injury.

The 28-year-old ran for just 326 yards last year, and with Jacksonville's decision to draft T.J. Yeldon in the second round, his chance to be the main back is likely gone. Still, the Jaguars plan to use his versatility to get him snaps at both halfback and fullback. It's up to Gerhart now to produce. If not, cutting him would save $3.5 million next season.

Andre Branch, defensive end

Branch enters the final season of his contract in 2015 with both a challenge and an opportunity. The former second round pick has yet to make an impact, with 67 tacks and 10 sacks in three years.

However, this season, he has the potential for a lot more playing time. Rookie Dante Fowler, Jr. is out for the year with a torn ACL and veteran Chris Clemons has yet to appear in training camp for personal reasons. That's given Branch more reps in the Jaguars' pass-rushing Leo role. If the former Clemson standout can be productive in an expanded role, he'll set himself up nicely heading into free agency.

Chris Clemons, defensive end

Clemons elected to skip all of OTAs and after participating in the team's three-day mandatory minicamp in June, he has yet practice in the early part training camp.

As one of the few legitimate pass-rushing threats on the roster, the Jaguars need Clemons this season, especially with Fowler out for the season. Next year, however, Fowler expected to be back healthy.

If Clemons doesn't prove his worth to the Jags defense by putting pressure on the quarterback, the team may decide he isn't worth the headache. Clemons with be 34 in October and cutting him next year would save $4 million.

Blake Bortles, quarterback

No, the third overall pick in 2014 isn't in any danger of getting cut. Still, 2015 can be considered a make-or-break season for Bortles regardless.

After throwing 11 touchdowns with 17 interceptions in his first season as a starter, the Jaguars need to see significant improvement out of the 23-year-old to feel confident he's the quarterback of the future.

Bortles spent much of the offseason refining his mechanics and both he and the team are expecting better things this season. If not, and if the Jags are once again picking at the top of the first round, the team may need to give serious consideration to investing yet another high pick in the position.

Two straight sub-par seasons would raise serious doubts about Bortles' chances for success in the NFL.

*All salary cap information courtesy of OvertheCap.com