Four glaring offseason needs for the Jacksonville Jaguars
YouTube: Official NFLThe Jacksonville Jaguars employ one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but the rest of the roster needs massive upgrades this offseason.
The Jaguars have had one playoff victory since their surprising run to the AFC Championship in the 2017 NFL Playoffs.
That lone win came last postseason, as Trevor Lawrence led Jacksonville to a 27-point comeback vs. the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Jags would drop the following week’s matchup with the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
In 2023, Jacksonville suffered a collapse of its own — this time before the postseason. The team blew a multi-game lead in the AFC South with only a month remaining in the regular season.
Now, armed with an uber-talented signal-caller and a nasty taste in their mouth, the Jaguars must put the finishing touches on the roster to avenge this setback.
1. Offensive line upgrades should be the top priority for Jacksonville
The interior offensive line for Jacksonville was ineffective at its best and downright awful at its worst.
Pro Football Focus graded Ezra Cleveland far below average at left guard, while Luke Fortner was a turnstile at center.
The Jaguars must replace both starters or risk the same disappointing results in 2024.
2. Another wide receiver would help Trevor Lawrence
Calvin Ridley was largely inconsistent in his return from suspension in 2023. Plus, he needs a new contract.
Before his injury, Christian Kirk looked like a difference-maker at wide receiver. However, the rest of the depth chart underachieved.
Even if Ridley returns and Kirk regains his full form, Lawrence needs more juice in the pass-catching department.
3. Reinforcements on the defensive line
Pass rusher Josh Allen is an impending free agent, but reports indicate the Jaguars will place the franchise tag on him as both sides negotiate a new deal.
Elsewhere, the defensive line holes are glaring. Jacksonville uses a three-person front; the unit needs competition at all three spots.
4. The Jaguars could use a rangy defensive back
The Jaguars secondary is better than it gets credit for, but a rangy defender is noticeably lacking on tape.
Tyson Campbell is a pillar at cornerback. He excels closer to the line of scrimmage in press coverage.
Andre Cisco does well to shadow Campbell at free safety, but he lacks the range to effectively shut down passing lanes at the third level of the defense.
A versatile safety prospect could be the final piece of the puzzle for this ascending unit in Jacksonville.