Jaguars Giving Several Undrafted Rookies a Chance

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - When Georgia defensive tackle Abry Jones realized he wasn't getting drafted, he started looking around the NFL at potential landing spots as a free agent.

Jacksonville stood out, and not just because it was close to home.

The Warner Robins, Ga., native saw a new general manager, a new head coach and a gutted roster that surely would lead to open competition at nearly every position.

Jones calls it a "great place for rookies."

No doubt. The rebuilding Jaguars expect to open the season with 12 to 15 rookies, maybe even more.

Most starters already have been penciled in. But several positions, including just about every backup spot, are up for grabs. That put a little extra emphasis on the team's three-day rookie minicamp that ended Sunday.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.