JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Unlike the previous three offseasons, it will be hard to make the Jaguars' final 53-man roster as a rookie.
The overlooked, under the radar talent will have to work extra hard to show they belong on a Jacksonville team that continues to get better on paper. After being passed on by all 32 teams several times, undrafted free agents live their NFL lives on a high wire above rock bottom, headed toward career salvation.
Rookie free safety Jarrod Wilson is walking that tightrope to success so far this offseason. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defensive back made some plays during organized team activities, but has really stood out during mandatory veteran minicamp this week.
In just two minicamp practices, Wilson has collected two interceptions. While he is playing against third-string talent, it is hard to ignore his clear playmaking ability.
“It’s amazing, he’s very sharp," defensive coordinator Todd Wash said on Wednesday. "He comes in, he learns the package really well, and he puts himself in position to make a lot of plays out of the middle field. It’s good to see. Up until today he was what we called our 'ball aware player' who was leading the team so far here. We’re excited about his progress so far.”
Wilson has not been limited to strict center field work. He has been enabled to read, react and attack in practice.
"I'm kind of a 'do my job' kind of guy," Wilson said. "My responsibility is to roam the field [and] make plays on deep balls. I still have a technique back there, so I'm just trying to master my technique and do better every day."
Wilson's veteran teammates have high praise for the young defensive back. In fact, veteran free safety and high-profile free agent addition, Tashaun Gipson, sees a little bit of himself in the rookie.
"I've been truly impressed with Jarrod," Gipson said. "He's truly one of those guys, he reminds me of myself, I made most of my noise around this time [as a rookie] heading into training camp. Like him I was undrafted."
By understanding where Wilson is in his career, Gipson can relate to him. The former Pro Bowl player has kept a close eye on his new teammate and he thinks he has a solid future ahead of him.
Gipson signed a multiyear deal in May after going undrafted just four years ago and he has been the talk of the Jaguars' offseason. Cut from a similar cloth, Gipson serves as a role model for Wilson to aspire to be like.
"He can play back there and make all the plays," Gipson said. "He's just a student of the game. He wants to learn, he wants to get better and you've got to respect that. I truly understand and respect the road he's traveling because I'm all too familiar with it."
Before he can look forward to making an impact, Wilson has to make the roster. While his teammates are impressed by his performance against bottom of the roster talent, they would like to see him carryover his success against the top players on the team.
"He's impressive, he's picking up the defense pretty well," fellow free safety Peyton Thompson said. "Against the guys he's going against, he's definitely dominating. We've got to get him going against the 1's and 2's too."
Wilson has a long way to go but his ability and his attributes give him a fair shot at cracking the roster. The Michigan product is larger than most NFL safeties and his size makes him that much more appealing.
"I feel like it gives me a bit of an advantage," Wilson said of his size. "As oppose to a smaller safety, I can see over the line better, but I didn't really know there was a difference. Coming to [the NFL], I thought everybody was as big as me. Their as big as me in weight, but I've got a few inches on them."
With training camp just a few weeks away, Wilson will be a player to watch during practice. He will not be hard to notice, given his size and ball awareness.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.
