With the Jacksonville Jaguars officially picking first overall in the NFL draft, it’s time for Jaguars fans to get excited about something known far too well, rebuilding. Since Jacksonville is in a prime position to take a franchise quarterback, this article will focus on the team’s other biggest needs.
Jacksonville Jaguars Biggest Needs
Secondary
Expectations for the secondary were low going into the season for a good reason; Jacksonville didn’t make any large investments into secondary players aside from C.J. Henderson. Unsurprisingly, Jacksonville had many secondary issues, and overall the position group was far too young and inexperienced. Other than Henderson, nobody should be locked into a starting role next season. Though players like Sidney Jones, Jarrod Wilson, and Daniel Thomas have had flashes, it’s not enough for them to be viewed as solidified starters for next season. Bringing in serious secondary talent in both free agency and the draft should be at the top of Jacksonville’s priorities. Players like Anthony Harris, William Jackson, and Desmond King should be at the top of the team’s free-agent wish list.
Tight End
Tight end has undoubtedly been among the Jaguars’ biggest positional needs for a while now, and ever since Marcedes Lewis got cut in 2017, the glaring hole has only become more apparent. James O’Shaughnessy has been an underrated player for Jacksonville the past few years, but he isn’t a desirable starting tight end, even at his best. With O’Shaughnessy’s contract being up and Josh Oliver showing very little in his career, expect a new regime to invest in this position. Just about every fan seems to be hoping the team drafts Kyle Pitts, but it’s unlikely he’ll be on the board for Jacksonville’s second pick of the first round. Instead, expect the team to go after a veteran in free agency such as Jared Cook.
Defensive Tackle
Jacksonville going into the year, made a lot of moves at defensive tackle, signing Rodney Gunter, Al Woods, Timmy Jernigan, and drafting Davon Hamilton. Now at the end of the season, it’s clear Davon Hamilton is the only long-term player out of this group. Jacksonville also put a lot of faith in Taven Bryan, giving him a large percentage of snaps, yet he didn’t even have a full sack on the year and was a clear liability whenever he was on the field. Though Hamilton played better than anyone should’ve expected, and Doug Costin looks to be a solid rotational player from now on, the Jaguars should take a look at a top-tier free agent like Leonard Williams. This would help create a lot more disruption in the backfield and put less pressure on their young players along the defensive line to produce.
Offensive Tackle
This need is contingent on what happens with Cam Robinson’s expiring contract. Robinson had a solid year and should warrant a new deal if both sides can come to terms. However, if the Jaguars aren’t able to resign him, left tackle easily becomes among the Jaguars’ biggest needs. Jawaan Taylor has undoubtedly had his ups and downs in his career, but there’s almost no shot a new staff would look to replace him. Though his play in Week 17 against the Colts was poor, his fantastic performance against Khalil Mack shows how high his potential is.
Guard
This need largely depends on what a new regime will do with the current contracts of both starting guards. If Andrew Norwell is cut, the team would gain $9 million in cap savings. Norwell never lived up to his massive contract despite improved play this season, making it easy for a new regime to cut him. On the other side, A.J. Cann has become much less of a liability than he once was, but it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if he ended up getting cut. This would save the team around $5 million. Both have the potential to be playing for new teams next season. However, it would be surprising for a new regime to try to replace two guards in their first season.
