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No NFL team ever has the luxury of making it through an entire season with just their starters seeing the field.
Between injuries, benchings, and simple rotations, every team will count on its non-starters to be the "next man up" and will be expected to play up to the same standard. Some will rise to the challenge. Other won't. It is imperative to have depth that can be trusted to play a significant number of snaps or start for an extended period, if necessary.
If a team doesn't, one injury could flush its entire season down the drain.
So, who are the most valuable and trustworthy backups in the league?
Bill Barnwell of ESPN picked his NFL All-Backup Team, a 53-man roster composed entirely of players who come off the bench for their respective teams.
A pair of Jacksonville Jaguars were selected to the team, showing they are among the best and most dependable backups in the league.
Barnwell's goal was to create the best 53-man roster possible using only reserves. He was inspired by the tremendous impact then-backups like David Tyree, Malcolm Butler, and former Jaguar Nick Foles had on their teams' Super Bowl victories.
Two Jaguars were picked for the All-Backup Team: left tackle Walker Little and rookie safety Jalen Huskey.
Barnwell even went as far as to call Little one of the easiest choices for the squad and named him the starting left tackle.
Huskey, on the other hand, was picked for his knack for interceptions after recording 11 over his final three collegiate seasons.
"Little is one of the few obvious picks for this team. He served as a swing tackle for most of his first three years in the league, but after a short run at left tackle in 2024, the Jags signed him to a three-year, $40.5 million extension. Little wasn't quite as effective under Liam Coen in 2025, and when he went down injured, Cole Van Lanen won the left tackle job and got his own contract. Little could always win the job back, but for now, he appears to be the sixth lineman in Jacksonville. He's our starting left tackle.
"Huskey, a third-round pick out of Maryland, had 11 interceptions at the school and should compete for time as a box safety."
Even if they aren't starters, both Little and Huskey will be key players for the Jaguars in 2026.
Little has the capability to be the team's starting left tackle, having only lost his spot after an injury. Even if he remains Jacksonville's swing tackle, he will almost certainly earn playing time this season. Having a reserve of Little' quality is a huge bonus for the Jaguars.
If incumbent Eric Murray holds onto his starting job opposite Antonio Johnson in training camp, Huskey and second-year player Caleb Ransaw (who missed his entire rookie year) will compete for playing time behind them.
Jags' defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile loves using three-safety sets, so Ransaw and Huskey should see a significant amount of snaps, even as reserves. Huskey's ability to create game-changing turnovers should make him an immediate fan favorite.
Little's selection as the All-Backup Team's starting left tackle shows that is viewed as possibly the best reserve tackle in the entire NFL, making him incredibly valuable to the Jaguars.
Huskey is a rookie with enormous potential. With Johnson, Murray, and Ransaw currently ahead of him on the depth chart, Huskey will be allowed to develop into a more complete safety before being thrust into a starting role. Campanile should be able to play Huskey in situations that best suit his strengths as a rookie, putting him in the best positions to succeed.
Jacksonville's roster looks like one of the most complete in the AFC this year. The Jaguars are very fortunate that they not only have extremely talented starters, but also have talented backups as well.
Many of those backups will undoubtedly have their names called upon this season, and the Jaguars and Barnwell are confident they are good enough to rise to the challenge.
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Continue reading...
Between injuries, benchings, and simple rotations, every team will count on its non-starters to be the "next man up" and will be expected to play up to the same standard. Some will rise to the challenge. Other won't. It is imperative to have depth that can be trusted to play a significant number of snaps or start for an extended period, if necessary.
If a team doesn't, one injury could flush its entire season down the drain.
So, who are the most valuable and trustworthy backups in the league?
Bill Barnwell of ESPN picked his NFL All-Backup Team, a 53-man roster composed entirely of players who come off the bench for their respective teams.
A pair of Jacksonville Jaguars were selected to the team, showing they are among the best and most dependable backups in the league.
Which Jags Did Barnwell Choose?
Barnwell's goal was to create the best 53-man roster possible using only reserves. He was inspired by the tremendous impact then-backups like David Tyree, Malcolm Butler, and former Jaguar Nick Foles had on their teams' Super Bowl victories.
Two Jaguars were picked for the All-Backup Team: left tackle Walker Little and rookie safety Jalen Huskey.
Barnwell even went as far as to call Little one of the easiest choices for the squad and named him the starting left tackle.
Huskey, on the other hand, was picked for his knack for interceptions after recording 11 over his final three collegiate seasons.
"Little is one of the few obvious picks for this team. He served as a swing tackle for most of his first three years in the league, but after a short run at left tackle in 2024, the Jags signed him to a three-year, $40.5 million extension. Little wasn't quite as effective under Liam Coen in 2025, and when he went down injured, Cole Van Lanen won the left tackle job and got his own contract. Little could always win the job back, but for now, he appears to be the sixth lineman in Jacksonville. He's our starting left tackle.
"Huskey, a third-round pick out of Maryland, had 11 interceptions at the school and should compete for time as a box safety."
Little And Huskey Will Be Key For Jaguars
Even if they aren't starters, both Little and Huskey will be key players for the Jaguars in 2026.
Little has the capability to be the team's starting left tackle, having only lost his spot after an injury. Even if he remains Jacksonville's swing tackle, he will almost certainly earn playing time this season. Having a reserve of Little' quality is a huge bonus for the Jaguars.
If incumbent Eric Murray holds onto his starting job opposite Antonio Johnson in training camp, Huskey and second-year player Caleb Ransaw (who missed his entire rookie year) will compete for playing time behind them.
Jags' defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile loves using three-safety sets, so Ransaw and Huskey should see a significant amount of snaps, even as reserves. Huskey's ability to create game-changing turnovers should make him an immediate fan favorite.
Final Thoughts
Little's selection as the All-Backup Team's starting left tackle shows that is viewed as possibly the best reserve tackle in the entire NFL, making him incredibly valuable to the Jaguars.
Huskey is a rookie with enormous potential. With Johnson, Murray, and Ransaw currently ahead of him on the depth chart, Huskey will be allowed to develop into a more complete safety before being thrust into a starting role. Campanile should be able to play Huskey in situations that best suit his strengths as a rookie, putting him in the best positions to succeed.
Jacksonville's roster looks like one of the most complete in the AFC this year. The Jaguars are very fortunate that they not only have extremely talented starters, but also have talented backups as well.
Many of those backups will undoubtedly have their names called upon this season, and the Jaguars and Barnwell are confident they are good enough to rise to the challenge.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
