Jacksonville Jaguars veterans emphasize special teams as a path to NFL success

Jacksonville Jaguars players Antonio Johnson, Parker Washington, Montaric “Buster” Brown, and Foyesade Oluokun recently highlighted the critical role special teams played in launching their professional careers. Many current Jaguars starters entered the league as late-round draft picks or undrafted free agents, necessitating significant contributions on special teams to secure roster spots. Johnson, a fifth-round pick in 2023, utilized the unit to transition into a starting role at safety. Wide receiver Parker Washington and defensive back Brown echoed these sentiments, noting that early reliability on special teams proved essential for their subsequent defensive and offensive breakthroughs. Foyesade Oluokun, despite his status as a defensive mainstay, emphasized that players must maintain the same intensity on special teams as they do during standard positional snaps to remain viable in the NFL. The players now actively share these experiences with younger teammates to reinforce the unit's importance for long-term career stability.

• 5:35 PMYahoo Sports — Jaguars veterans see special teams as the ultimate proving ground