Offseason Analysis Series: Jacksonville Jaguars

Meaningful Additions: HC Doug Pederson, EDGE Travon Walker, LB Devin Lloyd, WR Christian Kirk, WR Zay Jones, TE Evan Engram, OG Brandon Scherff, DB Darious Williams, LB Foyesade Oluokon , DT Foley Fatukasi, C Luke Fortner, LB Chad Muma

Meaningful Losses: LB Myles Jack, LB Damien Wilson, C Brandon Linder, WR DJ Chark, OG AJ Cann, TE James O'Shaughnessy

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What Happened Last Year?

(3-14) Last in AFC South

Offense

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been maligned for years and are coming off of a miserable three-win 2021 campaign. Their roster lacked talent and former head coach Urban Meyer proved inadequate to lead an NFL team. The offense struggled with 2021 first overall pick QB Trevor Lawrence (12 TD/17 INT) at the helm. The team ranked 32nd in total points scored, 27th in total yardage and dead last with only 26.4% of their offensive drives ending in a score. The Jaguars did not have enough around Lawrence in order for him to succeed in his first year. Although veteran Marvin Jones Jr. had a solid year (73 Rec/832 Yds/4 TD) the Jags got very limited production from the rest of their skill players. Promising second year WR Laviska Shenault underperformed and did not catch a single touchdown pass, while RB James Robinson failed to improve upon a stellar 2020 campaign. The Jaguars other first round pick, Travis Etienne, never saw the field because of a Lisfranc injury he suffered before the start of the regular season.

Defense

The Jags defense also struggled last season. The unit gave up the fifth most points and finished in the bottom half of the league in both passing and rushing yards allowed. Their front seven was lackluster, and managed only 32 sacks (tied fifth fewest). They also failed to generate turnovers. During the course of the entire season, they managed just seven interceptions (Trevon Diggs had 11), and two fumble recoveries (TJ Watt had 4) on their way to having the fewest takeaways (9) in the league. Josh Allen has proven to be a disruptive force (eg: Week 9 vs. Buffalo) and led the team with 7.5 sacks, but other than him there were few bright spots on that side of the ball.

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What's Changed?

Head Coach

Doug Pederson is a proven head coach and a massive upgrade over Urban Meyer. During his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Pederson showed that he knows how to develop a young quarterback. He helped make then second year quarterback Carson Wentz into an MVP candidate during the 2017 season. Even more impressive, he then coached a Nick Foles led offense to a 41-point performance against the Patriots on route to the Eagles first Super Bowl victory in franchise history.

Roster Revamped

Trevor Lawrence is now surrounded by a solid group of playmakers. Travis Etienne's return from injury along with the additions of Christian Kirk, Zay Flowers and Evan Engram give Lawrence a much steadier group of weapons than he was working with last season. Up front, the Jags added top tier guard Brandon Scherff to keep Lawrence upright and drafted Brandon Lindor's replacement in Luke Fortner. On the other side of the ball, they picked up players who will contribute for them immediately in Travon Walker, Devin Lloyd, Foye Oluokon, Foley Fatukasi, and Darious Williams.

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