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A handful of big performances in the preseason would certainly help his cause .
• # 36 Ronnie Harrison , S : The third-round pick out of Alabama was a long-time starter for Nick Saban , and has flashed his football IQ early in camp . Veteran safety Tashaun Gipson spoke in glowing terms about Harrison ’ s fi rst days around the team . Look for his hard-hitting style on special teams as well .
• # 41 Tim Cook , RB : The fi rst-year player began last season on the practice squad , but was moved to the injured / reserve list in late September . At 6-feet , 242 pounds , can he take a step forward and turn into a reliable short-yardage back ? Also look for his contributions on special teams .
• # 48 Leon Jacobs , LB : The seventh-round pick out of Wisconsin has a physique to rival former Jaguars fullback Greg Jones , and is in the mix for the strong-side linebacker job . Special teams will make a difference here as well .
• # 53 Blair Brown , LB : Another in the mix at the strong-side , the second-year player made three appearances and two starts at weak-side linebacker last season when Telvin Smith was
out with a concussion . He has a year up on Jacobs , but the competition is only just beginning .
• # 66 Darius Jackson , DL : Out of Jacksonville State ( Alabama ), Jackson was a FCS fi rst-team All-American and the Ohio Valley Conference defensive player of the year in 2016 and 2017 . At six-feet-2 , 242 pounds , can Jackson make the jump from dominating the FCS level to rushing against NFL offensive linemen ?
• # 90 Taven Bryan , DE : The fi rst-round draft pick out of Florida enters one of the deepest defensive lines in the NFL , but early in training camp has shown that his size and physicality can stand up . Veteran DE Calais Campbell has been a constant in his ear on the practice fi eld the fi rst couple of weeks , and it shows .
• Bonus - # 46 Carson Tinker , LS : The sixth-year long snapper missed the 2017 season with a preseason knee injury , but is back to 100 percent in camp . The fi rst live action is always a big step in the progression during a return from a knee injury , if not physically then certainly mentally .